The Iconography of Vaisnava Images in Orissa

by Thomas E. Donaldson

This work is a well-researched attempt to analyse the Vaisnava iconography of Orissa. Dr. Donaldson presents various iconographic charts throughout the book on the basis of textual description of the many images and their representations in sculpture with a number of photographs of the images studied. The author also traces with keen interest the influence of Vaisnavism on the iconographic programme and rituals of Saiva temples, resluting in even joint worship of Visnu and Siva. For each type of iconography, the book cites examples of different orissan temples and discusses the images in them.The book would be of immense interest to scholars of religious studies and particularly those concerned with Hindu iconography.

About the Author:

PROF. THOMAS E. DONALDSON teaches Art History at Cleveland State University since 1969. In addition to 45 articles on Orissan art in leading international journals and festschrifts, his publishing credits include; a monumental 3-volume book on Hindu Temple Art of Orissa; Kamadeva's Pleasure Garden in Orissa; the text for Ornaments of Orissa co-authored with R.P. Mohapatra; Sculptural Masterpieces from Orissa; Style and Iconography co-authored with K.S. Behera; and a forthcoming 2 volume book on the Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa.