Dictionary of South & Southeast Asian art

By: Gwyneth Chaturachinda, Sunanda Krishnamurty, Pauline W Tabtiang Publication: Penguin Books India ISBN: 0-14-310085-8 Price: Rs 325 Pages: 240

Who is Avalokitesvara?

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What is Dharmachakra?

What kind of a creature is Garuda?

What special significance does the Naga have in art and architecture?

This dictionary offers clear and concise answers to all these questions and hundreds more.

The Authors

Gwyneth Chaturachinda is a freelance writer, has worked as editor on several English language publications in Bangkok and has travelled throughout South andSoutheast Asia. Sunanda Krishnamurty has worked as a college lecturer in Delhi and has published articles in professional journals. She is now a consultant with UN organisation in Geneva. Pauline W Tabtiang has an MA in Social Science from the City university of New York and is a history teacher by profession.

With over 1,300 entries and over a hundred line illustrations, this volume makes a handy reference to anyone interested in South and Southeast Asia -- travellers, students in the field, museum-goers, and general readers.

Explanations are succint and easy to understand. Entries range from terms encountered in South and Southeast Asian history, religion, mythology and literature to those specefic to art and architecture.

Words are drawn from the diverse religious traditions of the region, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Taoism, and from the countries of the region, including Cambodia, India, Indonesia, laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.