978-8196405359, The Mahabharata: Mewari Miniature Paintings (1680-1698) by Allah Baksh (Vol. 1-4), Alok Bhalla (Author), Chandra Prakash Deval (Author), Niyogi Books Private Limited, Hardcover, English, Worldwide
$175.00
• Showcases nearly 2000 never-before published miniature paintings of the Mahabharata by Allah Baksh, from late 17th century Mewar
• Features fine translations of the Mahabharata from Mewari into Hindi by Chandra Prakash Deval and English commentary by Alok Bhalla
• Insightful introductions by Alok Bhalla on each of the parvas, provide a comprehensive understanding of this great Indian epic
Allah Baksh’s magnificent miniature paintings of Vyasa’s great epic, The Mahabharata, were commissioned by Udaipur’s Maharana Jai Singh, and painted between 1680 and 1698. The selection of nearly 2000 paintings, published in four volumes, are from a folio of more than 4000 extant works illuminating the Mahabharata. The fifth volume of 500 paintings devoted to the Gita, has already been published. These radiant miniatures, which follow almost every story in every chapter of the Mahabharata, have no precedent in India’s art tradition. The emphasis in these paintings is not on heroic posturing and spiritual pride, but on the pain that the earth and its creatures endure when human beings tragically fail to fulfill their dharma. The images in the paintings are symbolically charged, their colors are clear and luminous, their lines are restrained and precise. Allah Baksh’s art of visionary thoughtfulness deserves an honored place in the great library of Indian scriptures and their visual interpretations. Introductions to the parvas illuminated in these four volumes offer reflections on the moral resonance of the stories, as they reveal the fate of a civilization from its divine beginning to its fateful destruction. The Hindi translation of the Mewari text in the colophons, describing the story being illustrated, furthers our understanding of the history of cultural exchange between the different religions, regions and languages of India. Comments on the paintings in English enable the reader to decode the images and follow the narrative grandeur of this great Indian epic.
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About The Author
Alok Bhalla is a widely published critic, translator and poet. He has taught in various universities in the US and India, and has held Fellowships from different academic institutes in France, Italy, England, Germany, Canada and Israel. His books include Stories about the Partition of India (4 volumes), Partition Dialogues, Shades of the Preternatural, among others. His verse translation of Dharamvir Bharati's play, Andha Yug, is a recognized classic. Chandra Prakash Deval is an eminent poet, fiction writer, translator, bibliophile, and cultural historian. He has published 14 collections of poetry in Hindi and Rajasthani. He has also translated the works of Ashok Vajpeyi, Ramakanth Rath and others into Rajasthani. He has been the recipient of many prestigious awards like the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.
Table Of Contents
Volume 1: Adi Parva and Sabha Parva
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Adi Parva: The first book of the Mahabharata, detailing the origins of the Bharata dynasty and the early life of the Pandavas and Kauravas.
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Sabha Parva: The second book, describing the grand assembly hall built by the Pandavas and the events leading to the game of dice.
Volume 2: Vana Parva and Virata Parva
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Vana Parva: The third book, narrating the Pandavas' exile in the forest and their encounters with various sages and demons.
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Virata Parva: The fourth book, detailing the Pandavas' incognito exile in the kingdom of Virata.
Volume 3: Udyoga Parva, Bhishma Parva, Drona Parva, Salya Parva, and Gada Parva
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Udyoga Parva: The fifth book, focusing on the preparations for war and the diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict.
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Bhishma Parva: The sixth book, covering the first part of the Kurukshetra War, including the Bhagavad Gita.
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Drona Parva: The seventh book, detailing the continuation of the war under the leadership of Drona.
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Salya Parva: The eighth book, describing the war under the leadership of Salya.
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Gada Parva: The ninth book, focusing on the single combat between Bhima and Duryodhana.
Volume 4: Anushasana Parva, Ashvamedha Parva, Mausala Parva, Mahaprasthanika Parva, and Swargarohanika Parva
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Anushasana Parva: The tenth book, containing the instructions given by Bhishma to Yudhishthira.
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Ashvamedha Parva: The eleventh book, narrating the Ashvamedha sacrifice performed by Yudhishthira.
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Mausala Parva: The twelfth book, describing the destruction of the Yadava dynasty.
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Mahaprasthanika Parva: The thirteenth book, detailing the Pandavas' journey to the mountains.
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Swargarohanika Parva: The fourteenth and final book, narrating the ascent of the Pandavas to heaven.
Product Details
- Publisher : Niyogi Books Private Limited; First Edition (1 January 2023)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 1994 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-8196405359
- Item Weight : 0.454 Kg
- Dimensions : 24.2 x 17.5 x 15 cm
About The Book
• Showcases nearly 2000 never-before published miniature paintings of the Mahabharata by Allah Baksh, from late 17th century Mewar
• Features fine translations of the Mahabharata from Mewari into Hindi by Chandra Prakash Deval and English commentary by Alok Bhalla
• Insightful introductions by Alok Bhalla on each of the parvas, provide a comprehensive understanding of this great Indian epic
Allah Baksh’s magnificent miniature paintings of Vyasa’s great epic, The Mahabharata, were commissioned by Udaipur’s Maharana Jai Singh, and painted between 1680 and 1698. The selection of nearly 2000 paintings, published in four volumes, are from a folio of more than 4000 extant works illuminating the Mahabharata. The fifth volume of 500 paintings devoted to the Gita, has already been published. These radiant miniatures, which follow almost every story in every chapter of the Mahabharata, have no precedent in India’s art tradition. The emphasis in these paintings is not on heroic posturing and spiritual pride, but on the pain that the earth and its creatures endure when human beings tragically fail to fulfill their dharma. The images in the paintings are symbolically charged, their colors are clear and luminous, their lines are restrained and precise. Allah Baksh’s art of visionary thoughtfulness deserves an honored place in the great library of Indian scriptures and their visual interpretations. Introductions to the parvas illuminated in these four volumes offer reflections on the moral resonance of the stories, as they reveal the fate of a civilization from its divine beginning to its fateful destruction. The Hindi translation of the Mewari text in the colophons, describing the story being illustrated, furthers our understanding of the history of cultural exchange between the different religions, regions and languages of India. Comments on the paintings in English enable the reader to decode the images and follow the narrative grandeur of this great Indian epic.
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