Tantrayana Art An Album

This Album is a sequel to the study of Origin and Evolution of Tantrayana Art which the Asiatic Society undertook under the UNESCO project on the study of Buddhist Arts and Architecture.

The Album is divided into two sections - Text and Illustrations. The Text consists of an 'Introduction' and 'Descriptive Notes on Illustrations'. The Introduction discusses, in brief, the meaning and scope of Tantrayana art, the manner and method of work, the materials covered, etc. the Illustrations have been arranged, as far as practicable, subject-wise, i.e., iconography. The descriptive notes on illustrations, following this scheme, take due and proper notice of the concept underlying a particular iconographic theme or a particular iconic form.

There are 273 illustrations of which 71 are in colour. In a section of material for this purpose endeavour has been made to include all important and significant types.

The Album, together with notes and illustrations, is primarily a book on iconography in which it has been possible to extend the existing knowledge in not an insignificant manner.

About the Author:

Professor S.K. Saraswati, a former President of the Asiatic Society, is an internationally known art historian of India and is recognised as one of the greatest authorities on Indian architecture.

Professor Saraswati had made lasting contributions in the fields of Indian history, art and archaeology. Besides contributing numerous articles and large number of books, he had collaborated with a number of academic programmes in the country. He was also the editor of Cultural Heritage of India, Volume VII, Fine Arts, sponsored by the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Calcutta.

Professor Saraswati had held many high responsible positions, including Professorship in Calcutta and Banaras Hindu Universities. For some time he was also the Secretary and Curator of the Victoria Memorial, Calcutta.

He had traveled widely in Europe, America and USSR on lecture tours on invitation.

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