Dynasties of Devotion-Deepa Mandlik Book Review
Dynasties of Devotion – Deepa Mandlik Book Review
Dynasties of Devotion – The Secrets of 7 Iconic Hindu Temples, a work by Deepa Mandlik that has been translated into English from Marathi by Aboli Mandlik and published by HarperCollins India, tells the story of seven temples located in Cambodia and India.
With great attention to detail in both the fields of architecture and history, Mandlik offers a holistic and critical view of the intertwining factors of culture and heritage while also presenting myths that surround them.
Plot – Dynasties of Devotion
The temples that shall be explored as a combination of both history and travel include: Kailasa Temple at Ellora, Brihadeeswara at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, Airavatesvara, Chennakeshava, Sree Padmanabhaswamy, and the Angkor Wat temple located in Cambodia. Every single one of these temples is accompanied by captivating stories and rich narratives associated with kings, worshippers, artisans, and devotees which must be narrated to truly capture Mandlik’s multi-dimensional journey instilling life into each site. It is fascinating how she intertwines history with politics, patronage, and artistry.
Premise -Dynasties of Devotion
The focal point of Mandlik’s book is the relationship between architecture and empire- building. She mythologizes, for example, the alien mythology of the Kailasa Temple by explaining it logically with historical facts. The aspect of the book which deals with everyday activities of temple communities like dancers, musicians, and priests widens the scope of the book beyond its central theme, and humanizes the grandeur.
Writing Style -Dynasties of Devotion
Mandlik’s balance between a personal narrative approach and historical analysis sets her apart from other writers. Her prose invites admiration because of the sheer curiosity and regard it bears in relation to the cultural heritage it describes, taking the reader to every temple and its sculptural wonders and each of its legendary stories. Although the text is better served with only a few photographs, some readers may find the texts too dense and would prefer a more image driven layout. Regardless, the overall message is that the author’s work, despite requiring concentration, provides the reader with vivid tales to tell and intriguing perspectives to consider.
Final Verdict -Dynasties of Devotion
Dynasties of Devotion is a moving and enlightening work that is ideal for anyone who is interested in India’s architectural legacy or who is considering making a pilgrimage to these ageless shrines. It presents these temples as living examples of centuries of cultural development rather than merely as symbols of devotion by fusing historical nuance with the attention to detail of a tourist. It’s a rich, satisfying read that receives a solid 4 out of 5 stars, despite its sporadic density.
This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program.
Leave a Reply