Book Description

This Coffee Table book is our endeavor to bring out the glorious achievements of the Pallava and Chalukya dynasties and their awe-inducing temple constructions which have left an indelible mark on India. Their creations were pioneering structures that each subsequent kingdom, which followed them, learnt and adopted from. From the shores of Mahabalipuram to the great temple town of Kanchi, and from the capital town of Badami to Aihole and Pattadakal, we take you through a picturesque journey of the temples of these two great kingdoms. You will experience the temple architecture, the associated iconography, the inscriptions, the dynastic history and patrons for the different structures through this visual treat. This is an enthusiastic and joyful writing of a young mind on the most beautiful monuments of the Pallava rulers of Kanchi around 700 CE and also the Chalukyas of Badami at Aihole and Pattadakkal of the same time. Many have written before and many are likely to write in the future. But this is a response of a youth that would kindle the enthusiasm of the readers to read more about them. It is not a cut and paste book but a spontaneous outpouring. Exuberant illustrations supplement the written poetry. Read, enjoy and get immersed in the joy of aesthetics. Dr. R. Nagaswamy An absolutely fascinating journey into the Pallava-Chalukya period of Indian history with excellent photographs to complement the narrative in the text. This was an extraordinary period of economic and cultural expansion with Indian merchants sailing to far away kingdoms in Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. The impact of this period can still be seen all over the Indian Ocean Rim. Let me congratulate Gurpreet and Bharat for bringing it alive.Sanjeev Sanyal