The book deals with the art of stucco images in the Nayaka temples of Tamil Nadu, from Chennai in the north to Madurai in the south. A number of temples were selected on random sampling basis for the present work. The book is in six chapters, covering the following aspects: introduction of the images and temples, list of the temples selected, iconography in Siva temples, iconography in Visnu temples, iconography of Devi, et.alii, assessment of images and at the end conclusion. Prof. Raju Kalidos in his foreword has point out the significance of the work in Indian art history. He has added an annexure also on the Ikkeri Nayaka temple at Bhatkal and two more annexures have added by his son Dr R.K.K. Rajarajan dealing with the method of Nayaka art and Navagrahas. The book is purely based on field research & illustrated with beautiful photos and line drawings. Several scholars may write on Nayaka art, but the present work is unique in its own way.

About the Author

Dr J. Soundararajan (b. 1967) is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Madras, Chennai. He did his Master’s degree, M.Phil., and Ph.D. in the University of Tamil Nadu. His doctoral thesis was highly commended by the Board of Examiners. He was previously worked as an Assistant Archaeologist in Archaeological Survey of India, Dharwad Circle.

He is member of many professional historical societies, like Indian History Congress, South Indian History Congress, Indian Art History Congress, Tamil Nadu History Congress, Tamil Nadu Archaeological Society, Epigraphical Society and Place name Society of India. He has two books and 31 research articles in scholarly international, national journals in his credit. His contribution to Journals like East and West and 23rd IAHA, Alor Setar, Malaysia also adds feather to his cap. He has visited Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia for international conferences.