Literature, Music & Art: Three Seminal Books

Though there are umpteen number of books on these subjects, one in each brach can be picked out as exceptional. 

Books containing overviews of the best are many. But arguably the best one is "1000 Books to read before you die" by James Mustich. Apart from the thousand dealt with in detail, many thousands are also mentioned, making it the most authoritative & comprehensive volume to browse. (948 pages.) It is illustrated also, affording many hours of pleasure.

"The Illustrated Story of Art" published by DK books & compiled by a team of art historians is a large, sumptuous volume, magnificently illustrated with thousands of pictures, many in full page & centrespread also. (400 pages). As the subtitle says "The Great Art Movements & The Paintings That Inspired Them" are presented in a mind-boggling way.

Fortunately the above two are in print, but "Ragamala Paintings" by Klaus Ebeling is available only as a used copy from outside India. Though one of the first books on the subject, a fusion of Art & Music, the amazing research & painstaking presentation are truly path breaking. More than 300 pages of scholarly text, a plethora of black/white & colour plates and even "A Visual Dictionary" enhance this invaluable work.