ABOUT THE BOOK:
The Legend of Krishna in Wall Paintings of Gujarat and Rajasthan is a comprehensive documentation of the Krishna theme in an art form that is now on the verge of extinction. The exploits of Krishna have been and continue to be a great source of inspiration for the Indian artist. The author Pradip Zaveri has painstakingly collected images from temples, palaces, havelis, mansions, schools and houses during his extensive travels in Gujarat and Rajasthan. This book explores the Krishna myth in its historical and cultural context. This collection essentially tells the story of Krishna’s life as a child and then moves on to his adolescence as a cowherd, followed by his romantic dalliances. It includes paintings that illustrate the deeds of Vishnu and his other avataras. These wall paintings provide detailed glimpses of the social and cultural life of the people. Sadly this form of artistic representation is on the verge of extinction. In this book Pradip Zaveri preserves for posterity’s sake this vibrant tradition that is an integral part of the country’s representative art forms.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Pradip Zaveri has always been interested in various art forms, especially Indian paintings. His passion for travelling and photography led him to the interiors of Rajasthan where wall paintings are found in abundance. So, when he observed wall paintings in Kutch, now called Kachchh (Gujarat), his native place, he started photo documenting them. The first photography exhibition was held at Kutch museum. The Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya, the Bhopal based museum of mankind, appreciated his work and sponsored many exhibitions and workshops to help create awareness about the now extinct art of wall paintings. Udaipur based West Zone Cultural Centre sponsored his seminal documentation of the damage done to wall paintings in the aftermath of the 2001 earthquake in Kutch. This publication inspired Zaveri to explore and document wall paintings in other regions including north and central Gujarat. His published works include a book on Ramayana in the paintings of Kutch and Paintings of North and Central Gujarat: A Pictorial Journey (Niyogi Books). He lives in Vadodara with his family. |
