This is the first comprehensive work on the sculptural art of Kerala with Vaishnava Iconography in Focus. It gives detailed iconography of all forms of vaishnava sculptures found in stone and wood in Kerala: sthanaka, asana and shayana forms of Vishnu, his
composite and associate deities. It deals with sculptural depictions of many anecdotes affiliated to these forms with their representatives in the southern and northern regions of India.
Prescriptions given in ancient iconographic texts and features of vaishnava sculptures in Kerala are assessed to know the degree of fidelity between the shastra and the prayoga.
The text is supported with 403 color and 21 B&W photographs and 155 figures containing 91 illustrations, besides extensive references, glossary, appendices and general index.
The art of Kerala may be noted as one of the most poorly known and poorly published for all the South Asian traditions. Yet, at the same time, it is one of the richest
and most exuberant (Huntington, 1993), and it is in this context and perspective, I view the relevance of the work Vaishnava Sculptures of Kerala: An Iconographic Study accomplished by Dr Preeta Nayar.----Susan L. Huntington in the Foreword
The Topic of Vaishnava Iconography of Kerala has not been scientifically discussed so far.
I Found it an extremely valuable contribution to the existing human knowledge in the realm of Vaishnava Iconography of India.-----RC Agrawala
The work is remarkable in presenting the hitherto undocumented materials and provides valuable insight into the development and diversifications of Vaishnava
Iconography, especially in Kerala. Individual forms and their specific contexts that surfaced in Kerala have been underscored. Comparisons with figures from other states have been made to highlight distinctions or similarities and even antiquities of particular forms. All this enhances the merit of the work and makes the analysis critical.
It is a well-researched work in content, presentation and interpretations.------RN Misra