The Wisdom of Ananda Coomaraswamy: Reflections on Indian Art, Life, and Religion (Perennial Philosophy)

Ananda Coomaraswamy (1877-1947) was one of the most famous scholars of Indian art, culture, and religion. He served for many years as the Keeper of Indian and Islamic Art at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, establishing one of the most impressive collections of oriental artifacts in the world. This anthology contains thematically arranged excerpts from his many writings, letters, and speeches, making it a uniquely accessible collection of his wisdom and insight. The Wisdom of Ananda Coomaraswamy is richly illustrated with over 140 black-and-white historical photographs and paintings.;Editor's Note by Joseph A. Fitzgerald; Preface by S. Durai Raja Singam; Introduction by Whitall N. Perry; Seventieth Birthday Address; 1. Society; 2. Art; 3. Religion; 4. People; Key To Sources; Glossary Of Some Indian Words; Biographical Notes. CONTENTS 8 EDITOR’S NOTE 10 PREFACE 12 INTRODUCTION 16 SEVENTIETH BIRTHDAY ADDRESS 20 1. SOCIETY 24 India 26 Ceylon 31 Dravidians & Aryans 34 Tradition & Progress 35 Education 38 Imperialism & Politics 43 Vocation 45 Swadeshi 47 Indian Women 50 Marriage 57 2. ART 60 Art 62 Beauty 72 Eros 76 Schools of Styles of Indian Art 79 Borobudur 93 Sculpture 94 The Buddha Image 96 Mughal Painting 98 Rajput Painting 99 Jaina Art 103 Persian Painting 104 Folklore 106 Music 107 An Indian Musical Party 109 Jewelry 113 3. RELIGION 116 Religion 118 The Bhagavad Gita 120 The Self 123 Om 124 Yoga 126 Hinduism & Buddhism 127 Birth, Death, & Reincarnation 128 Philosophia Perennis 130 Vedanta & Philosophy 129 Symbolism 132 Faith 134 Siva 135 Worship of Siva 142 Ganesha 144 Devi 145 Hanuman 147 4. PEOPLE 148 Sri Ramakrishna 150 Sri Ramana Maharishi 151 Sister Nivedita 152 Mahatma Gandhi 153 Jawaharlal Nehru 155 Rabindranath Tagore 156 Ravi Varma 157 Nandalal Bose 158 uday Shankar 159 Autobiographical 162 KEY TO SOURCES 167 GLOSSARY OF SOME INDIAN WORDS 170 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 174 INDEX 176

ananda Coomaraswamy (1877-1947) Was One Of The Most Famous Scholars Of Indian Art, Culture, And Religion. He Served For Many Years As The Keeper Of Indian And Islamic Art At The Boston Museum Of Fine Arts, Establishing One Of The Most Impressive Collections Of Oriental Artifacts In The World. This Anthology Contains Thematically Arranged Excerpts From His Many Writings, Letters, And Speeches, Making It A Uniquely Accessible Collection Of His Wisdom And Insight. It Is Richly Illustrated With Over 140 Black-and-white Historical Photographs And Paintings.

Richly illustrated anthology of Ananda Coomaraswamy's work