This volume is the magisterial work on the subject. Sumptuously produced (larger than Quarto size), it has 60 full page colour plates, innumerable black & white illustrations & an extremely erudite text based on a research study of 4000 paintings in 1969 - 70. It was published in 1973 & had since become the source book for all subsequent studies on the subject.
The author himself thanks the publisher for giving the book it's "elaborate & very costly but beautiful form". He also thanks 6 women spread across 3 generations (mother, wife & 4 daughters) for having helped in preparing the manuscript.
The highlight of the book is a chapter entitled "Visual Dictionary" where the pictures are listed in the alphabetical order of their titles. Numerous charts, tables & copious cross-indexing make the volume a scholar's treasure trove. Unlike many later works in the genre, this work doesn't confine itself to one school, but is all encompassing in its scope. Starting from the history of Ragamala painting, it also includes the text relating to the raga inscribed in the painting.
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