The Pandya country roughly comprised the modern southern districts of Tamilnadu - Madurai, Sivagangai, Dindigal, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. The Pandyas ruled the country continuously for several centuries with small interruptions from the neighboring countries and the aliens. They even controlled the entire Tamil land and some parts of Andhra. Inspite of their constant quarrels and wars with neighboring countries, they very much concentrated in the excavation of cave sanctuaries, monolithic and structural temples. During the later Pandya period (A.D. 1190-1334) the rulers became more powerful and concentrated both in wars and in maintaining the status of the society, religion and art. They constructed around 165 temples in different villages.

The book presence a comprehensive study of the later Pandya temples, their general and specific architectural features, sculptural embellishments, paintings on the walls and bronze images produced during the period of the study. It also traces the social life of the people, caste system prevailed and honors and recognition received by different caste people from the kings. The religious sects which prevailed and the patronage of the rulers, royal members and officials are elaborately dealt with. The development of literature and learning during the later Pandya period is also explained exhaustively. The book justifies the significant contribution of the later Pandyas in equal footing with the Pallavas, Cholas and Vijayanagara-Nayaka rulers.

About the Author

Dr G. Sethuraman (b. 1952) is a retired Senior Professor and Head of the Department of Art History, Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu. He has served as Professor Emeritus in the Madurai Kamaraj University from 2013 to 2015.

He has 73 papers published both in international and national journals in his credit. He has been invited by the Ministry of Hindu Cultural Affairs, Colombu, Sri Lanka, for six consecutive years to present papers, chair the seminar sessions and deliver special and inaugural addresses. He has been awarded by the State Government of Tamilnadu for his book History of Buddhist Art (in Tamil) in April 2013. Some of his other books include, Facets of Indian Art and Culture (1995); Museology: Museum and its Techniques (1996); Social, Cultural and Art History of Tamilnadu (1997, 2017); Virudhunagar District – An Archaeological Source Book (as co-author, 2000); History of Performing Arts in Tamilnadu (2004); The Saiva Temple of India: A Study on Ramesvaram Temple (2013). He was the editor of the Proceedings of the South Indian History Congress for four consecutive years.

Some of the notable responsibilities he held in the university are: Director-in-charge of Academic Staff College, Deputy Director in Distance Education, N.S.S. Coordinator and Additional Controller of Examinations.