The Essential Ananda K. Coomaraswamy

by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, Rama P. Coomaraswamy (Editor)

Ananda K. Coomaraswamy was engaged in the world not only as a scholarly expositor of traditional culture and philosophy, but also as a radical critic of contemporary life.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion, India, Art, Nonfiction, Theology, Spirituality

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy was a Ceylonese philosopher and metaphysician, as well as a pioneering historian and philosopher of Indian art, particularly art history and symbolism, and an early interpreter of Indian culture to the West. In particular, he is described as "the groundbreaking theorist who was largely responsible for introducing ancient Indian art to the West." (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Alex Kartelias · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading his work, and I'm incredibly impressed. His in depth analysis of how aesthetics has been understood Traditionally and how today's understanding is inaccurate and metaphysically dissonant to Truth, is breath-taking. What really struck me was how much of a command he has not just of other religions' vocabulary, but how broad his knowledge is of the world's sacred languages and how they relate to today's vernacular tongues- there's both a religio perennis as well as a lingua perennis.
And how he feels comfortable using Vedenta and the Angelic Doctor himself-St. Thomas Aquinas- definitely struck me. His writings are necessary today more than ever.

[TR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best Ananda Coomaraswamy collection to start with since it has a good mix of essays on metaphysics, mythology, symbolism, art and culture. The Princeton/Bollingen collection (The Door in the Sky) is also good, but shorter and less wide-ranging as far as subject matter.

Coomaraswamy, a celebrated academic, complements Guenon's purely metaphysical outlook quite well, and for those who prefer an academic approach (perhaps because they feel more comfortable with the modern chrism of 'respectability') it is a good introduction to the traditional perspective.

[Rajat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unparalleled writing in this genre! An absolute must for the history and philosophy of art. Asians and Europeans would equally benefit. This collection is just mind blowing and introduces you to other works of the author. I would recommend you to buy the version published by world wisdom as their paper quality is worth it.