Dance of Siva

In a series of 14 stimulating essays, the renowned historian unfolds India’s vast cultural and philosophical traditions: its art, conception of the universe, social organization, and traditions and attitudes, love and marriage. Ananda K. Coomaraswamy reveals the essence of the Indian experience, rooted in “a constant intuition” of the unity and harmony of life. This book comprises a very diverse range of topics all falling under the broad heading of “Indian art and culture”. The several essays on Indian art are full of important ideas on the very nature of art, while important social ideas are set forth throughout the book, but most directly and valuably in “What Has India Contributed to Human Welfare?”, “Status of Indian Women”, “Young India”, and the brief but powerful “Individuality, Autonomy and Function”.