This volume presents a comprehensive account of the Vijayanagara Empire and Hampi-Vijayanagara site through a study of archaeology, photography, painting, sculptures, inscriptions, coinage, conservation and heritage, and existing scholarship.

The Book Deals In Detail With Scuplture At Vijayanagara, The Capital Of Vijayanagara Kingdom From The Mid-Fifteenth Century To 1565. It Defines The Nature Of Sculpture And Highlights The Themes And Iconography Connected With It And Attempts To Seek Its Roots In The Diverse Sculptural Traditions Of South India. It Also Looks At The New Elements Evident In It. This Pioneering Work Caters To The Needs Of Both The Specialist And The General Reader.

The Vijayanagara Empire flourished in South India between 1336 and 1565. Conveying the depth and creativity of Hindu religious and literary expression during that time, Vijayanagara Voices explores some of the contributions made by poets, singer-saints, and philosophers. Through translations and discussions of their lives and times, Jackson presents the voices of these cultural figures and reflects on the concerns of their era, looking especially into the vivid images in their works and their legends. He examines how these images convey both spiritual insights and physical experiences with memorable candour. The studies also raise intriguing questions about the empire's origins and its response to Muslim invaders, its 'Hinduness', and reasons for its ultimate decline. Vijayanagara Voices is a book about patterns in history, literature and life in South India. By examining the culture's archetypal displays, by understanding the culture in its own terms, and by comparing associated images and ideas from other cultures, this book offers unique insights into a rich and influential period in Indian history.

The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and its influence on the life of Indian people has been great and immeasurable. The ideals of the Ramayana have gone deep into the core of Indian life and have largely moulded its social, political and cultural fabric and eternal history of India. Rama is an ideal hero and the Ramayana describes his character unparalleled in human history. During Vijayanagara period many poets and scholars translated the Ramayana in Kannada language. The most important work in Kannada on Ramayana theme is the Ramakatha of Narahari, datable to circa 1580-1600, based upon the Valmiki's Ramayana. He lived in the village temples at Pattadakal. The Papanatha temple represents the Rama story bigns with the Putrakameshti of Dasaratha and all the scenes bear labels in Kannada language of 6th-7th, century A.D. The important episodes are Rama's fight with Khara and Dushana, Surpanakha lamenting an also instigating Ravana to take revenge on Rama, the construction of the bridge over the sea, the fight between Vali and Sugriva and between Ravana and Jatayu as well as in Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal have served as the inspiration for the more mature and better designed depiction of the themes on the walls of Kailasantha temple at Ellora. The Mallikarjuna temple at Pattadakal depicts the search of Rama and Lakshmana for Sita and Rama's cry at her separation. The Virupaksha temple at Pattadakal, contains a large number of Ramayana scenes in narrative style, include Surpanakha's adventure in the cottage of Rama, Rama's battle with Khara and Dushana, Surpanakha lamenting before Ravana, Rama shooting the golden deer, Ravana carrying awy Sita, Jatayu's fight with Ravana, the meeting of Rama and Sugriva, Vali-Sugriva duel, Sita in the Asoka Vana and Hanuman meeting her, Hanuman seated on an elevated seat made up of the coils of his tail etc. Ramayana scenes in the sculptures from the Hazara Ramachandraswamy temeple, the Vitthalaswamy temple and Brahma Vittala temple at Hampi and compaired with Valmiki and other Ramayana stories.

Vijayanagara, the “City of Victory,” was the capital of South India’s largest and most successful pre-colonial empire from c. AD 1330-1565. This richly illustrated volume reports on the results of a ten-year systematic regional archaeological survey in the hinterland or “metropolitan region” of this vast and well-preserved urban site.

Vijayanagara, once one of the mightiest Hindu empires, has now been reduced to a mere village. Through extensive research and restoration efforts, dedicated conservationists and the ASI have made every possible attempt to restore the lost brilliance of the Vijayanagara Empire. The splendid rocks and large boulders, together with the awe-inspiring royal architecture, confer on Hampi the rare accolade of being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty as well. Indeed, with the turbulent Tungabhadra river flowing on one side and rocks and boulders poised in an amazing balancing act, Hampi presents a sight to behold. In Vijayanagara Empire acclaimed photographer Raghu Rai, through his passionate response to the site, takes the reader on a visual experience akin to being transported into the world the way it must have existed centuries ago. His photographs have an archival and ancient feel to them, and yet succinctly capture not only the depths and details of the ruins but also fleeting experiences.