Devi: The Great Goddess : Female Divinity in South Asian Art

by Vidya Dehejia, Thomas B. Coburn

Devi, the Great Goddess of India, is beautiful, beneficent, terrifying, all-powerful, and glorious. Ubiquitous in India's social and spiritual fabric, she has, over the millennia, been painted, sculpted, carved, and wrought from silver and bronze in myriad shapes and forms. The Great Goddess brings together 120 of these diverse examples of Devi and a group of distinguished essayists who explore facets of Devi worship and tradition, including ritual, architecture, literature, history, and contemporary issues such as feminism and gender politics. The book appeals to readers compelled by the exploration and interpretation of the art, religion, and history of India.

Genres: Art

408 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Tarun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice book that I remember using as a reference for some of my miniature paintings back in 2006 or 2007. I used it to prepare preliminary sketches (khaaka) for a set of miniatures in the Pahari style. An unfinished Devi from the set :

[Nitin Goel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever to understand Indian Goddesses and the concept of 'Shakti'.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine and illuminating.