Ramayana Depicted in Indian Temples

ISBN-13: 9781036463557 / Twarda / 2026

Apurba K. Chattopadhyay

Opis

Most people regard Indian temples as great works of architecture, but seldom do we notice the intricate artworks—especially those found in the lesser-known rural temples of India. Each plaque tells a story—often from the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic. The influence of the Ramayana on Indian art and culture has been profound, inspiring countless regional Ramakathas. Over generations, artists have etched and sculpted scenes onto temple walls, preserving these stories in stone, clay and brick. Born out of years of exploration and documentation, this book invites readers on a journey of visual discovery. It introduces plaques that depict the seven Kandas of the Ramayana, each masterfully interpreted using references from the epic. This pioneering work opens up a rarely seen world—a folk Ramayana carved not in royal courts, but on the humble walls of village temples. It deepens our understanding of the epic while kindling interest in India’s miniature sculptural traditions.