Dictionary of Buddhist and Hindu Iconography-Fredrick W. Bunce-DKPD-9788124600610
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| Man has, from times
immemorial, exhibited a striking predilection for symbols. Which, through
written words, drawings, sculptures or other visual/iconographic
representations, seem to have shaped much of mankind’s culture. From the
simplest, yet eloquent, drawings on the walls of the prehistoric caves,
through the sophistication of Egyptian imagery, the sculptural embroidered
wealth of a Khajuraho, or the convoluted elegance of a Mannerist painting —
all interweave iconographic imagery so inextricably into their very core
that, without its visual/didactic richness, these would be a mere shell, a
hollow vanity! Veritably, our cultural scenograph will lose much of its
aesthetic charm and meaning, once it is bereft of iconography. Over the
centuries, Buddhisn and Hinduism (Brahmanical) have built up pantheon after
pantheon, with a bewildering number of divinities, in varying forms and
emanations and, significantly, with myriad iconographic attributes. Which,
for both their definable precision and complex multi-interpretationality, not
merely seem paradoxical, but may baffle even the specialists and the
initiated as well. Here is just the Dictionary trying, for the first time, to
help you see into the ‘divine paradoxes’of Buddhist-and-Hindu iconography and,
simultaneously, interpret the very nuances of their iconic language.
Painstakingly compiled by a distinguished scholar of Oriental/Buddhist Art,
it is a Buddhist-and-Hindu Iconologia par excellence, spelling out vividly
thousands of iconic representations, which these two of the world’s oldest,
sustained faiths have left for all times to come. In its monumental effort to
explain/interpret Buddhist-and-Hindu visual/conceptual symbols, images,
objects, concepts and rites, the Dictionary extends the definition of
iconography to embrace numerous peripheral/other terms, which either have
immediate relevance to iconographic principles or are hard to dispense with
in visualizing the true import of different icons. Dr. Bunce’s work has, at
its base, his own first-hand observation of various temples in India, Nepal
and several Southeast Asian countries; besides a number of authentic sources:
both illustrated and verbal. Flawlessly illustrated: from cover to cover, it
includes a compellingly readable introduction, an easy-to-understand User’s
Guide, extensive bibliographic references, and two well-planned lists to
facilitate location of its each headword, each entry. Which all reinforce the
Dictionary’s indispensability to the specialists and the non-specialists who
have often to grope for the essentials of Buddhist/Hindu iconographic
complexities. |
| Book |
| ISBN |
9788124600610
|
| PUBLISHER |
DKPD |
| Binding |
Hardcover
|
| Edition |
2018 |
| Language |
ENGLISH |
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Dictionary of Buddhist and Hindu Iconography-Fredrick W. Bunce-DKPD-9788124600610
