The social life of the queens of Hoysala period are presented in the beautiful Shilabalika sculptures of Belur temple. This highly illustrative book recreates the world of Hoysala queens by shedding light on how the queens got groomed in various fields of arts and sports. A comparative study of Manasollasa and the Shilabalika panels prove that a study of the literary source Manasollasa is essential to understand the activities depicted in the immortal beauties of Belur temple.

A king who composed more than 400 songs. A princess who followed a beloved temple idol to the very end. Emperors who tamed wild cheetahs and kept zebras as pets. Queens who fought the mightiest and cruellest powers on land and sea. Determined warriors, artistic temple builders, wise administrators, prolific writers, unabashed food-lovers and expert musicians... Who were these incredible, multifaceted rulers from the past who stood out among hundreds of others? From Kattabomman to Krishnadevaraya, from Abbakka to Durgavati, from Velu Nachiyar to Shantala, and from Mahendravarman to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - what was extraordinary about them and their reign? In over 15 fascinating stories, this charmingly illustrated book takes you to the kingdoms, courts, palaces and battlefields of glorious royals, who shaped events in their own times and made their place forever in our history.

Shantala was the queen of Vishnu Vardhana, the ruler of the Hoysala kingdom. Brought up as a Jain, Shantala believed in ahimsa or non-violence. Her husband, on the other hand, had a single minded ambition, to free Hoysala from the rule of the Chalukya Empire, whatever be the cost. He waged wars and unleashed death and destruction on hapless people.

The Kesava temple at Somanathapur, located 36 KM from Mysore in Karnataka is a good example of the Hoysala architecture. This grand celebrated temple enriched with intricate sculptures and architecture is erected on a raised terrace of star shape. The sculptures on the wall appear to have been executed on wood and not on stone with extreme perfection and dedication. Not just the sculptures this complicated structure proves their architectural dexterity and talent. This main temple is surrounded by pillared cloister with sub-shrines. This grand temple enjoys similar and at par importance as the Kesava temple at Belur and the Hoysalesvara temple at Halebid

At a glance, ancient Indian sculpture is quite attention-grabbing due to its structural form and somewhat devotional approach. It makes us curious and raises a lot of questions about it. There are a lot of books regarding the sculptures of India; however, there are something mysteries behind those ancient sculptures that need to unfold. This book's discussion point is related to some of the hidden rules and grammatical aspects of those ancient sculptures, focusing on Hindu doctrine and spiritualism. To understand the Indian sculptures widely, it is necessary to have information on those secret rules, grammar, spiritual theology, and Indian history. The writer of this book is an acclaimed Indian artist and award-winning blogger who is also passionate about traveling and photography. His experience in Indian art and culture grew with his travel across India. In this book, he also shared his direct experience of various aspects of Indian sculpture. It's a complete guide to making sense of the pauls of Indian sculpture through an artist's perspective.

You may have a lot of questions about the art and architecture of Karnataka. There may be queries about the various heritage touring circuits. You might like to understand what went into designing, planning and constructing monuments over a thousand year ago. You may still wish to know how art and architecture progressed during the ancient and medieval times in Karnataka. This book attempts to answer a lot of these questions, for example: 1.What is the name of the first established Village in South India and where is it located? 2.Where did the earliest gold miners live in Karnataka? 3.Which was the first Agrahara established in Karnataka? 4.Which is the first existing temple dedicated to Siva in Karnataka? 5.Which is the first existing temple dedicated to Krishna in Karnataka? 6.What roles did temples have other than being the places of worship? 7.Which is the first temple dedicated to Rama in Karnataka? 8.What was Karnataka referred to as in the Puranic times? 9.Which is the first existing temple dedicated to Shakti in Karnataka? 10.How old is the Kannada language?

This book on Apsaras in Hoysala art with particular reference to the Belur Chennakesava temple is dealt in two parts, viewing apsara as a dancer and a philosopher. Part one is about the dance of apsara, while part two is about the psychological states of awareness levels that are depicted. It is like exploring the external and the internal world of apsaras. Part I deals with the apsara`s skills in dance and dramaturgy, precisely a study of the depiction of Rasas - the sentiments in sculptures, that are viewed through the medium of Natyasastra and Dasarupaka - a treatise on Indian dance, music and dramaturgy. Part I is a study of the superficial aspects like the theme, the posture, the accessories used, the actions of the attendants and so on. Apsaras are viewed as dancers, who deserve to be elevated to the status of permanent guides for the aspect of rasas.