This book is a delightful collection of introspective essays on the Garhwal Himalaya and life around it. The author draws from his memories of being brought up in the mountains, pictures that linger like a waft of sweet perfume on a breezy afternoon. With affection, Ganesh Saili writes of his many journeys through these valleys wrapped in the mist, travelogues that evoke details of natural history interwoven into the delicate social fabric of mountain life. The book is a living tribute to the large-hearted sons of the soil, who, down the ages, have yoked the hills together, through thick and thin, good times and bad times, have laughed at the thunder and mocked the skies, have left for the plains only to return, again and again, to the call of the mountains. The Garhwal Himalaya have always been much more than lumps of rock and ice – an enigma, a constant companion for travelers and explorers. Wanderings Through the Garhwal Himalaya is gripping study of this incredible part of the Himalaya which will make you want to be out there in the mountains amid sleet, snow, rain and wind. Contents: Introduction; Himalayan Magic; Glorious Garhwal; Trekking the Garhwals; Not So Quiet Flows the Yamuna; Travels With the Four-Horned Ram; The Man Who Would be King; The Magic of Duirital; Chandrashila; Baadis: The Flower Children of Garhwal; Travels in the Bhyundar Valley; Haridwar: Along the Ganga; Himalayan Blossoms; Other Denizens of Garhwal; Great Spirits of the Himalaya; Dharali: A Place for All Reasons; A Return to Uttarkashi; Where Rivers Run Deep; Mana’s Mystic Magic; Looking Down at the Doon; Wanderings Around a Hill Station; A Tour in the Hills; Along the Road to Tehri.
• A delightful collection of introspective essays and a gripping study of this incredible part of the Garhwal Himalaya and life around it• Avid traveler and photographer Ganesh Saili takes the reader on an idyllic walk through the mountainsThis book is a delightful collection of introspective essays on the Garhwal Himalaya and life around it. The author draws from his memories of being brought up in the mountains, pictures that linger like a waft of sweet perfume on a breezy afternoon. With affection, Ganesh Saili writes of his many journeys through these valleys wrapped in the mist, travelogues that evoke details of natural history interwoven into the delicate social fabric of mountain life. The book is a living tribute to the large-hearted sons of the soil, who, down the ages, have yoked the hills together, through thick and thin, good times and bad times, have laughed at the thunder and mocked the skies, have left for the plains only to return, again and again, to the call of the mountains.

The Garhwal Himalaya have always been much more than lumps of rock and ice – an enigma, a constant companion for travelers and explorers. Wanderings Through the Garhwal Himalaya is gripping study of this incredible part of the Himalaya which will make you want to be out there in the mountains amid sleet, snow, rain and wind.

Contents: Introduction; Himalayan Magic; Glorious Garhwal; Trekking the Garhwals; Not So Quiet Flows the Yamuna; Travels With the Four-Horned Ram; The Man Who Would Be King; The Magic of Duirital; Chandrashila; Baadis: The Flower Children of Garhwal; Travels in the Bhyundar Valley; Haridwar: Along the Ganga.

Ratha Yatra, the ancient annual festival of the chariot and Jagannatha, the presiding deity of the great temple Srimandira at Puri, is one of the grandest spectacles on earth.

Jagannatha (along with siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra) ride three colorful chariots in their annual sojourn to their garden house and birthplace Gundicha Temple, where they stay for seven days before returning back. Full of drama, vitality, and a panoply of rituals and ceremonies, Ratha Yatra is rooted in ancient traditions, myths and legends. It embodies the most colorful elements of the classical folk cultures of the Indian subcontinent and the Odisha region, and is the most succinct manifestation of India’s heritage today. Celebrating the Hindu faith, this festival keeps Jagannatha alive and vibrant in the great pilgrim town of Puri, one of India’s four most sacred cities.

•A detailed exploration of a stunning festival, which is of great importance to Indian culture and heritage
•A comprehensive and holistic view of this celebration

Ratha Yatra, the ancient annual festival of the chariot and Jagannatha, the presiding deity of the great temple Srimandira at Puri, is one of the grandest spectacles on earth.

Jagannatha (along with siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra) ride three colorful chariots in their annual sojourn to their garden house and birthplace Gundicha Temple, where they stay for seven days before returning back. Full of drama, vitality, and a panoply of rituals and ceremonies, Ratha Yatra is rooted in ancient traditions, myths and legends. It embodies the most colorful elements of the classical folk cultures of the Indian subcontinent and the Odisha region, and is the most succinct manifestation of India’s heritage today. Celebrating the Hindu faith, this festival keeps Jagannatha alive and vibrant in the great pilgrim town of Puri, one of India’s four most sacred cities.

Over the course of 60-plus years, Erwin Hauer has created modular sculptures that feature penetrations and prominent interior voids yet, remarkably, are bonded by continuous surfaces. The modules of these sculptures contain the seeds of infinity: what Hauer calls ‘continua’. Still Facing Infinity covers the full scope of Hauer’s artistic oeuvre, from early two-dimensional works that double as room dividers to three-dimensional, space-filling sculptures that are conceptually similar to innovative architecture and engineering (works by Antoni Gaudi, Félix Candela, and Frei Otto) as well as advanced mathematical concepts (triply periodic infinite surfaces without self-intersections). Hauer offers detailed presentations in writings as well as in abundant photographs of a number of significant works, including Jerusalem Tower and Infinite Surface I-WP, the basis for numerous tabletop and large-scale sculptures as well as for two independent series that explore multiple iterations of the infinite surface concept.

The painting The Golfers by the Scottish artist Charles Lees is one of the greatest icons of the game of golf. It was painted in the 1840s when the game of golf was still predominantly Scottish and all but two of the twenty-three active British golf clubs were in Scotland. This book examines in detail the historical background to the painting and places it in context with other great sporting pictures of the time. It also discusses the original commission for the work and the importance that photography played, particularly the work of Hill and Adamson, in the realisation of the project.

Rome Wasn’t Drawn in a Day is a coloring book filled with exquisite templates, allowing you to step in to the shoes of Romulus and Remus as you bring the eternal city to life. Use your own artistic direction to turn DolceQ’s intricate illustrations into a beautiful and personal souvenir of Rome. Reimagine some of Rome’s iconic landmarks by fusing floral and geometric patterns with both ancient and modern architecture. Explore the contrast between the sharp outline of the Altare Della Patria with the intricately detailed patterns that surround it. Sketch the skyline of St Peters whilst the wolves howl from below. Trace the Tiber with your pencil and view Rome from above. Color the vibrant culture of Rome, from rappers to mythical creatures, from ancient monuments to contemporary art museums. The book outlines the beauty of past and present Rome in a series of templates, offering a truly unique way to relax, explore the city and create a work of art.

In this new, ground-breaking work, Woven Masterpieces of Sikh Heritage, Frank Ames’ unique passion for the subject reveals the events and ideas that transpired within this Khalsa (Sikh Brotherhood) movement, transforming the Kashmir shawl to one of powerful ethnic proportions. During this era of Punjab’s colorful history a variety of complex and enigmatic patterns emerged, some purely geometric, others symbolic, which have long eluded textiles experts. Maharaja Runjit Singh’s takeover of Kashmir in 1819 had an extraordinary impact on the fashion of the legendary Kashmir shawl, giving rise to “a major artistic expression in the subcontinent”. Through the exploration of miniature painting of Northern India and the hill states, Kashmiri manuscripts, the Sikh Holy Scriptures of the Sri Adi Granth and Janam Sakhis, and illustrations of unique shawls from world collections, Ames describes with his usual penchant for exacting detail the nature and source of these enigmatic patterns that define the Sikh period. In addition, textile enthusiasts will discover new material in chapters devoted to the Mughal period, lacquer painting and Indo-Persian shawl influences and trade.

Many professions are involved directly or indirectly with tropical landscape, yet there are few sources of readily digestible information for the student to turn to. This book gives guidance to the newcomer about tropical landscape design. It describes the work of the professional designer, but is sufficiently down-to-earth to be accessible to the amateur for whom professional consultation is not available.

Bombay is a city always on the move. Driven by multiple impulses, it has been the site for a Buddhist ethos, a safe haven for refugees from Persia, a hub of maritime trade and a melting pot of European and Eastern influences. Enriched with in-depth historical research and exclusive photographs, Bombay: Then documents the transformation of the once ‘insignificant cluster of islets’ into one of the most exciting spots for cultural exchange in South Asia. Among other views, the book illustrates the Mankeshwar temple and the Rajabai Clock Tower wrapped in scaffolding; the construction of Victoria Dock and the opening of its massive underwater gates; a lush and sparsely populated Malabar Hill; a rare view of the interior of a Parsi fire temple; factory scenes inside the Royal Mint and the Times of India units; what the stock exchange looked like nearly a century ago; and many breathtaking aerial shots of this beautiful island-city. A sheer visual treat through extraordinary historical photographs, Bombay: Then is for keeps. Mumbai has always been a city of dreams – shiny, colorful, nebulous dreams that melt away the moment you try to grasp them. Yet it beckons and the charm of the mirage is too seductive to let pass. Mumbai has moved from being Bombay to Bambai to Mumbai in four centuries and yet it is all three: encompassing all manner of paradoxical realities within its moist borders. Mumbai is restless, transient but the pulse of its past still runs through its streets. The fifteen million souls that inhabit this great island-city belong to all walks of life, numerous ethnic and religious backgrounds, and manage to communicate through the Babel-like confusion of different tongues and diverse histories. Mumbai: Now brings this shape-shifting, elusive city to you – from the stories of the first Goan migrants to the lives of native Koli fishermen; from the tradition of dabbawalas to that of ‘cutting’ chai; and from the potters in Dharavi to the pink flamingos in Sewri – in a series of beautiful, moving pictures that capture the many moods and faces of Mumbai.

Where’s the best place to go out on a Saturday night in Barcelona? What off-beat museums can be discovered after Sunday brunch (and where to have it)? Which locations offer the best viewpoints of the Catalan capital? What Gaudí buildings are essential? Where does Barcelona’s modernizm reach its zenith? Where to take the children? What’s the best place to buy wine? And where do the locals hang out?

The 500 Hidden Secrets of Barcelona reveals hundreds of good-to-know addresses, avoiding the touristy places and pointing out the urban details you are likely to miss. Mark Cloostermans, a Belgian journalist living in Barcelona, unlocks the various districts, pointing out historical details in the streets of the old town, taking you from green Montjuïc hill to the beach and back. The best places to eat halal, the must-visits for Barça fans and the various festivals you can plan your visit around: The 500 Hidden Secrets of Barcelona reveals it all.

Pahari paintings from the Horst Metzger collection, now in Museum Rietberg Zurich, are outstanding works by Indian masters who worked in the sub-Himalayan region between 1680 and 1850. This lavishly illustrated catalog of the works, which owes itself to a collaboration, yet again, between Prof. B.N. Goswamy and Dr Eberhard Fischer, is filled both with scholarly authority and poetic utterance. The passion with which Horst Metzger assembled this distinguished collection is matched by the text, for it throws open windows to a world of reflection and delight, close observation and soaring imagination. Together, the two scholars have, in earlier years, authored Pahari Masters: Court Painters of Northern India (1980) which accompanied one of the most celebrated and groundbreaking exhibitions in the field. Three decades later (2011), they were together again – along with Dr Milo Beach – editing and writing for the monumental, two-volume, Masters of Indian Painting: 1100-1900 which served as a guide to another path-breaking exhibition, shown at the Museum Rietberg Zurich and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Contents: B.N.Goswamy: Horst Metzger – The Collector; Catalogue; The Horst Metzger Collection in the Museum Rietberg; Bibliography; Ludwig Habighorst: Horst Metzger – My friend, the Collector.

Delhi Then and Now comprises two masterful essays that trace the story of Delhi from the days when it was known by other names Indraprastha, Firozabad, Dinpanah to its reincarnation as New Delhi. Historian Narayani Gupta takes us through the city of Sultans, Mughal emperors and viceroys, while journalist Dilip Bobb shows us the face of New Delhi as it is now. A rich portfolio of archival photographs and illustrations, together with vibrant new pictures, edited by Pramod Kapoor, capture Delhi in all its glory past and present.

Delhi Then – A city of empires and dynasties, Delhi through the ages has evoked nostalgia of its history written on the red sandstone walls. From Quila Rai Pithora to the palace on Raisina Hill, the changing face of Delhi is remarkably discernible in these photographs – a special collection that give words to the spoken and unspoken history of this city. Delhi Now – A city of dreams and desires, Delhi’s urban landscape is incomplete without the stones of seven ancient cities which give it a distinct meaning, a distinct outlook. A modern city on the move, the colors and digital vibrancy of the photographs capturing Delhi in all moods and moments, is as imposing as the grand old structures of yesteryears. A twin city of old-world charm and new extravagance, Delhi has evolved through the ages and is looking forward to an era that will be remembered down the ages.

This book from Mysore, stands out, not only because of the splendour of its illustrations but also because it engages with that great and sacred text, the Bhagavata Purana, in a manner that is completely different from almost anything else that one sees.

There are leaps of imagination here that take one’s breath away, and the episodes picked up by its great but unnamed illustrators are explored in dense, brilliant detail. At each step the painters seem to have been aware of the importance of the text itself. For the Purana they were engaging with has a very special place in the heart of devotees, there being the belief that the Bhagavata ‘is equal in status to the Veda’.

The scope of the volume is restricted to the second half of the Tenth Book of the Purana. Here the city of Dwarka is founded, a fierce contest with the bear king Jambavana is fought; the Khandava forest is burnt down, the great fortress of Narakasura is vanquished, the city of Hastinapura is dragged to the waters, great pilgrimages are undertaken, hordes of enslaved princes are freed, Shishupala is slain, Jarasandha is riven. Wide-eyed, one sees wonders piling upon majestic wonders.

Contents:
Director’s Foreword – Roxana Velasquez, Executive Director, The San Diego Museum of Art; Introduction – Anita Feldman, Deputy Director, Curatorial Affairs and Education, The San Diego Museum Art; Preface – B. N. Goswamy; The Mysore Bhagavata: An Essay in Three Parts – B. N. Goswamy; Catalogue (of Selected Paintings) – B. N. Goswamy; The Making of a Manuscript: Some Codicological Issues – Robert J. Del Bonta; A Prince Among Patrons: Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar – Caleb Simmons; Inventory of Illustrated Folios; Selected Bibliography; Appendices; A Note on Diacritics; Concordance.

The world’s monuments, art objects and archeology are at increasing risk of deterioration from environmental threats e.g. climate change, air pollution, and tourism.

Microorganisms play a central role in these deterioration processes. They grow both on the surface and in the interiors of many materials. Our understanding of the role that the microbial community plays in these activities has improved significantly in recent years and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of degradation is now possible. In addition, new tools have opened the door to the use of bacteria as protective agents.

In this book, contributors have focused on the essential role that biodeterioration plays in both the deterioration and preservation of a wide range of materials. The volume brings together recent research by conservation microbiologists working in diverse environments. In addition papers are included on the effects of microbial biofilms and climate change on the biodeterioration process.

It is hoped that this book will prove helpful to microbiologists, chemists, and other scientists working in the field of conservation. It should also be useful to practicing conservators, and individuals in public policy concerned with the protection of our world’s cultural heritage treasures.

The eleven painting fragments from the tomb-chapel of Nebamun that were brought to the British Museum in the early 19th century have long been recognized as some of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian art and have been considered among the greatest treasures of the British Museum. This book is an account of the work of the team of curators, conservators and scientists to examine and conserve the painting fragments (and their history) before preparing them for display in a new exhibition in Gallery 61 at the British Museum. The British Museum team has identified the materials and techniques that were used by the ancient Egyptian artists, and the numerous interventions that have been undertaken in the past to preserve and restore the paintings.

Tibetan Buddhist art is not only rich in figural icons but also extremely diverse in its symbols and ritual objects. This first systematic review is an abundantly illustrated reference book on Tibetan ritual art that aids our understanding of its different types and forms, its sacred meanings and ceremonial functions. Eighteen chapters, several hundred different implements are documented in detail, in many cases for the first time and often in their various styles and iconographic forms: altar utensils and amulets, masks and mirrors, magic daggers and mandalas, torma sculptures and prayer objects, vajras and votive tablets, sacrificial vessels and oracle crowns, stupas and spirit traps, ritual vases, textiles, furniture, and symbolic emblems. These are accompanied by many historical and modern text sources, as well as rare recorded oral material from high-ranking Tibetan masters. This long-awaited handbook is a must-have for all those with an interest in Buddhist art and religion.

‘Oishii!’ – ‘Delicious!’ is the most common word in Japan to describe food. Expressing culinary taste goes hand in hand with the social and cultural identity of those eating it. Hence food is much more than nutrition; rather it is tied to all areas of human life and illustrates the various aspects of a society and its culture. Against this backdrop renowned authors devote themselves to Japanese food and drink culture. How is rice cultivated? How do you catch bonitos? What is the secret to good sake and how did green tea become a lifestyle product? Hitherto partly undisclosed treasures from the Linden-Museum Stuttgart and valuable examples from home and abroad draw attention to the rich material culture of food and drink in Japan.

Text in German.

The Jewish Journey tells the history of the Jewish people from antiquity to modern times through 22 objects from the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, brought together here for the first time. Many of the objects are little-known treasures and all 22 have remarkable stories. Spanning 4000 years of history and covering 14 different countries, the objects trace the evolution of Jewish life and culture from its earliest beginnings in Ancient Mesopotamia through time and space to the modern day.

The collection of drawings in the Ashmolean is one of the greatest treasures of the University of Oxford. It began spectacularly in 1843 when a group of drawings by Raphael and Michelangelo that had previously belonged to the portrait painter, Sir Thomas Lawrence, was bought by subscription. Lawrence’s collection was one of the greatest collections of Old Master drawings ever assembled and its dispersal was much regretted. The Raphaels and Michelangelos, however, were the jewels in its crown. Following their arrival in Oxford, their fame attracted a number of gifts and bequests of drawings and watercolors by Dürer, Claude Lorraine, Brueghel, J. M. W Turner and many others.

This is a story not only of Old Masters but of benefactors – Francis Douce, Chambers Hall, John Ruskin and their successors – whose different tastes account for the variety of the drawings in the modern Print Room. It is a story also of the curators who bought them. In particular, it is the story of Sir Karl Parker who arrived at the museum in 1934 and left a collection when he retired in 1962 that comprehensively covered the history of the art of drawing in Europe from its origins to the present day. The exhibition, Master Drawings: Michelangelo to Moore, celebrates this history. It includes many of the finest drawings in Oxford, representing the work of many different artists: Raphael and Michelangelo; Dürer and the artists of the Northern Renaissance; Guercino and Rubens; Boucher and Tiepolo; German Romantics; J. M. W. Turner; Degas and Pissarro; the artists of the Ballets Russes; British twentieth-century artists from Gwen John to Hockney; and much else.