Art of the Vijayanagara-Nayakas : Architecture and Iconography (2 Vols-Set)

Contents: Vol. I: Foreword. Prelude. 1. Prolegomenon. 2. Survey of temples based on original sources. 3. Architectural aspects. 4. Glimpses of iconographical themes. 5. Paradigms of Nayaka art. Conclusion. Annexures: 1. Mandapas. 2. Iconographic programme in the Ati Ter, RGTM. 3. Genealogical list of the Nayaka families. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

Vol. II: Plates.

"The doctoral thesis "Art of the Nayakas" (title altered in publication) by R.K. Kesava Rajarajan is a very serious effort to put some order in the great deal of monuments belonging to a period, which is too often underestimated by the scholars. The work contains both a survey of the temples and an analysis of iconographical themes. The painstaking examination of original sources is perhaps the most important contribution by Rajarajan, but also the chapter "Paradigms of Nayaka Art" is extremely useful as it takes into consideration and systematically discusses most of the features characterizing Nayaka temple architecture. The scholar is right in stressing the importance of the changing  European taste in the evaluation of Indian art the material collected is impressive, the references to the literary tradition are vast and exhaustive, the iconographical interpretations are well-grounded and rich in detail." (jacket)