MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBLISHING HOUSE (MLBD) SINCE 1903



Elephanta: The Cave of Shiva

by Carmel Berkson


  • Year of Publication: 1999
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Edition: 1st
  • No. of Pages: 140
  • Pages: 140
  • Language: English
  • Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House
  • Sale price ₹ 395.00 Regular price ₹ 395.00

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    Three descriptive essays and numerous fascinating photographs, taken

    especially for this volume, allow the reader to experience a major monument

    of Indian art: the sixth century temple cave on Elephanta Island, in Bombay

    harbor, and its extraordinary stone sculptures. The authors and the

    photographer capture the atmosphere of the cave and the spirit of the

    sculptures, which portray the relentless energy and paradoxical power of

    Shiva, greatest of all Hindu gods. The photographs are particularly

    successful in revealing the dramatic alternation of light and dark that is

    so much a part of the beauty of the cave's interior. Ms. Berkson's trained

    and loving eye picks out the subtleties of the main sculptures and humorous

    details that the visitor might miss even on the site.

    In the text Wendy O'Flaherty interprets the myths of Shiva depicted in the

    sculpture; Ms. berkson's essay supplies historical background and a

    stylistic analysis; and George Michell examines the overall structure of

    the cave to show that it is a mandala-like image of the heavenly mountain

    residence of Shiva and even of the structure of the universe itself.

    "The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be

    congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta."

    Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand

    Vedic Research Institute,Vol.I, Dec.2002

    Review(s)

    "The author as well as the publishers of the work deserve to be congratulated for providing this easily accessible guide to Elephanta."-Research Bulletin Vishveshvaranand Vedic Research I

    About the Author(s)