Ellora: Cross-Fertilization of Style in Buddhist Brahmanical and Jain Cave Temples

Cross-Fertilization of Style in Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jain Cave Temples

e A UNESCO W o r ld Heritag Sit e •

Edited by Deepanjana Klein Photographs by Arno Klein

art

240 pages, 200 illustrations 9.5 x 11.5” (241 x 292 mm), hc

ISBN: 978-93-85360-80-0 3500 | $65 | £45 Spring 2023 | Ellora

Cross-Fertilization of Style in Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jain Cave Temples Edited by Deepanjana Klein Ÿ Photographs by Arno Klein

Ellora attempts the first systematic overview of the Ellora cave temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The origin of rock-cut architecture in India may be traced to the indigenous tradition of using natural caverns by ascetics and mendicants. The earliest rock-cut excavations were patronised by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills around 250 BCE. Between 200 BCE to 200 CE Buddhist chaityas and viharas were excavated along ancient trade routes. In tracing the evolution of rock-cut temples, the Ellora cave temple site is the only site that houses Buddhist, Brahmanical and Jain caves. These rock-cut cave temples were excavated between 600–1000 CE.

Ellora looks into each of these groups of rock-cut temples by religion, patronage and stylistic influences each patron dynasty drew from surrounding regions. Essays and analyses by scholars bring a comprehensive understanding of the chronology, stylistic development and documentation of the 34 main caves and lesser caves of the site. Additionally, this volume also includes extensive photographic documentation and ground plans of the most significant caves.

With contributions by Dr. Stanislaw J. Czuma, Dr. Nicolas Morrissey, Lisa N. Owen, Vidya Dehejia, Pia Brancaccio and Arno Klein.

Deepanjana Klein is the International Head of Department for Contemporary Indian & Classical Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art at Christie’s. Dr. Stanislaw J. Czuma is a long-time art historian, museum curator, and educator. In 1935, Dr. Czuma traveled to India to complete graduate studies at Banaras Hindu University and the University of Calcutta in 1958 and 1959. Dr. Nicolas Morrissey, a specialist in the archaeology, epigraphy, architecture, and art history of India, is Asst. Professor of Asian Art and Religion in the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art. Lisa N. Owen is currently an Associate Professor at University of North Texas. Her research focuses on ancient and medieval rock-cut monuments in India. Vidya Dehejia is the Barbara Stoler Miller Professor of Indian and South Asian Art at Columbia University and has authored numerous books on South Asian art. Pia Brancaccio is Associate Professor of Art History at Drexel University. Her research focuses on Buddhist art from South Asia. Arno Klein is Director of the MATTER Lab (Mind-Assisting Technologies for Therapy, Education, and Research) at the Child Mind Institute in Manhattan.