The cultural manifestation of Hinduism is complex. In particular, the visual arts associated with the Hindu religion are recognized as being the most complex and rich of any living religion. No serious effort to understand ancient or contemporary Indian culture can be made without a clear understanding of the visual arts and their sources in religious belief and practice. In this book, Healther Elgood provides a synthesis and critical study of recent scholarship on the subject. She emphasizes the ritual aspect of religious art - with reference to monumental architecture, sculpture and rural arts. Throughout, connections are made and explained between the variety of religious belief and practice in India and the power and richness of ancient and contemporary rural Indian art.
Author Biography
Heather Elgood is a lecturer at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and director of the joint SOAS/Christie's Arts of Asia and Africa program.
