The Sigiriya Royal Gardens

The Sigiriya Royal Gardens

Author: Nilan Cooray

Publisher: TU Delft

Published: 2012-10-19

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 148003097X

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Besides the efforts that are of a descriptive and celebrative nature, studies related to Sri Lanka's historical built heritage largely view material remains in historical, sociological, socio-historical and semiological perspectives. There is hardly any serious attempt to view such material remains from a technical-analytical approach to understand the compositional aspects of their design. The 5th century AC royal complex at Sigiriya is no exception in this regard. The enormous wealth of information and the material remains unearthed during more than 100 years of field-based research by several generations of archaeologists provide an ideal opportunity for such analysis. The Sigiriya Royal Gardens fills the gap in research related to Sri Lanka's historical built heritage in general, and to Sigiriya in particular. Therefore, the present research attempts to read Sigiriya as a landscape architectonic design to expose its architectonic composition and design instruments.


Art, Architecture, and the Moving Viewer, c. 300-1500 CE

Art, Architecture, and the Moving Viewer, c. 300-1500 CE

Author:

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2022-04-19

Total Pages: 506

ISBN-13: 9004510559

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

These essays address how narratives unfolded in time and space when a body or object moved through premodern architectural or natural environments. Such narratives encompass interpretations of topography, change in built environments over time, and spaces for public assembly.


Garden and Landscape Practices in Pre-colonial India

Garden and Landscape Practices in Pre-colonial India

Author: Daud Ali

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2020-11-29

Total Pages: 293

ISBN-13: 1000365670

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book presents a set of new and innovative essays on landscape and garden culture in precolonial India, with a special focus on the Deccan. Most research to date has concentrated on the comparatively well preserved gardens and built landscapes of the celebrated Mughal empire, giving the impression that they have been lacking in other times and regions. Not only does this volume provide a corrective to such assumptions, it also moves away from traditional art-historical approaches by posing new questions and exploring hitherto neglected source materials. The contributors understand gardens in two related ways: first as real or imagined spaces and manipulated landscapes that are often invested with pronounced semiotic density; and second as congeries of institutions and practices with far-reaching social ramifications for the constitution of elite societies. The essays here present a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of garden culture in precolonial India, and together suggest several new and exciting directions of enquiry for those working in the Deccan, Mughal India, and beyond.


A Short History of Gardens

A Short History of Gardens

Author: Gordon Campbell

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2016-10-31

Total Pages: 215

ISBN-13: 0191087556

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Gardens take many forms, and have a variety of functions. They can serve as spaces of peace and tranquilty, a way to cultivate wildlife, or as places to develop agricultural resources. Globally, gardens have inspired, comforted, and sustained people from all walks of life, and since the Garden of Eden many iconic gardens have inspired great artists, poets, musicians, and writers. In this short history, Gordon Campbell embraces gardens in all their splendour, from parks, and fruit and vegetable gardens to ornamental gardens, and takes the reader on a globe-trotting historical journey through iconic and cultural signposts of gardens from different regions and traditions. Ranging from the gardens of ancient Persia to modern day allotments, he concludes by looking to the future of the garden in the age of global warming, and the adaptive spirit of human innovation.


Garden History: A Very Short Introduction

Garden History: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Gordon Campbell

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-02-15

Total Pages: 185

ISBN-13: 0191004170

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Gardens take many forms, and have a variety of functions. They can serve as spaces of peace and tranquilty, a way to cultivate wildlife, or as places to develop agricultural resources. Globally, gardens have inspired, comforted, and sustained people from all walks of life, and since the Garden of Eden many iconic gardens have inspired great artists, poets, musicians, and writers. In this Very Short Introduction, Gordon Campbell embraces gardens in all their splendour, from parks, and fruit and vegetable gardens to ornamental gardens, and takes the reader on a globe-trotting historical journey through iconic and cultural signposts of gardens from different regions and traditions. Ranging from the gardens of ancient Persia to modern day allotments, he concludes by looking to the future of the garden in the age of global warming, and the adaptive spirit of human innovation. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.


Sri Lanka Style

Sri Lanka Style

Author: Channa Daswatte

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

Published: 2012-05-01

Total Pages: 401

ISBN-13: 1462906567

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Sri Lanka Style showcases 30 of the finest traditional and modern dwellings in Sri Lanka. Reflecting its location and status as a hub of Indian Ocean trade from time immemorial, the tropical island of Sri Lanka has always been open to the movements and patterns of world culture. Indigenous architects and cultural traditions, colonial incursions and the vagaries of living in a tropical environment have combined to produce a distinctive Sri Lankan architectural style: thick lime-washed walls, tall windows and doors, terracotta or granite tile floors, open pavilions and verandas, courtyard gardens, elaborately carved furniture and vibrant hand-looms. The Sri Lankan homes vary from private homes to retreats and resorts, all designed by the island's most creative architects and interior designers including some by the world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa that have never been seen before. These works demonstrate the essentials of the Sri Lankan spaces open to the elements and the natural use of space and decor, contributing to a palpable sense of peace and discipline. In addition, there are practical design ideas that can be applied to any tropical locale. Photographed entirely on location, Sri Lanka Style is an inspirational sourcebook of contemporary tropical style.


The Buddha in Sri Lanka

The Buddha in Sri Lanka

Author: Gananath Obeyesekere

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2017-08-07

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1351592254

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book examines culture, religion and polity in the context of Buddhism. Gananath Obeyesekere, one of the foremost analytical voices from South Asia develops Freud’s notion of ‘dream work’, the ‘work of culture’ and ideas of no-self (anatta) to understand Buddhism in contemporary Sri Lanka. This work offers a restorative interpretation of Buddhist myths in contrast to the perspective involving deconstruction. The book deals with a range of themes connected with Buddhism, including oral traditions and stories, the religious pantheon, philosophy, emotions, reform movements, questions of identity and culture, and issues of modernity. This fascinating volume will greatly interest students, teachers and researchers of religion and philosophy, especially Buddhism, ethics, cultural studies, social and cultural anthropology, Sri Lanka and modern South Asian history.


Pre-Astronautics versus Science

Pre-Astronautics versus Science

Author: Ryan Elbwood

Publisher: Elbwood Verlag

Published: 2024-10-10

Total Pages: 632

ISBN-13: 3981172426

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

"Pre-Astronautics versus Science" allows a daring look through a state-of-the-art lens at archaeological finds and modern theories. This book is an invitation to think beyond the textbook and explore the hidden chapters of our history. It is for the curious, the skeptics, and the visionaries – for all who are ready to delve into the mysteries of our existence. Step into another world where the inexplicable meets the quest for truth, and the paths of facts and speculation cross. As Horst Kaltenhauser said: "Speculation is the spark that ignites the fire of research." Join us on an exciting journey and discover a world full of fascinating possibilities.