Cosmic Dance in Stone

Book excerpt: *A semi-philosophical, semi-aesthetic appreciation of the great stone structures of the past*Boasts an abundance of color photographsStone is a material that takes many million years to form. As a result, it offers a sense of permanence. Craftsmen and designers of an earlier era were able to use it most effectively to produce masterpieces of art and architecture. The primordial aspect of stone is perhaps why we feel so full of energy when wandering in areas with an abundance of this material. Stone offers magnificent natural compositions in the vast expanses of the countryside, but man's intervention elevates stone constructions to a whole new level of beauty.The builders of Mahabalipuram, Ellora, Elephanta, Angkor Wat, Badami, and Hampi were concerned not only with creating shelter in harmony with the natural landscape, but also with the numinous sense of elation one experiences when confronted with the architecture of these places. There was a time when man respected the landscape, seeing it as a reflection of his devotion to the creator of this universe. These primordial men also practiced a lifestyle that did not adversely affect the sustaining powers of the earth. Cosmic Dance in Stone is largely a collection of photographs and illustrations that show how their creations, wonderful landscapes of stone, have been devised to transcend space and time. It is an attempt to discover how the designers of the past envisaged structures that could link us to the stars and help us realize the nature of our existence.