Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v4.c29.s2.8

v4.c29.s2.8

The sculptural drawings in line and in colours could not be given the same advantage of joint deliberation, mutual consultation, and final revision. Despite the fact that there is an ever-growing class of artists all over India, most of those of local renown and teachers of recognized schools of arts in Bombay, Baroda, Delhi, Lahore, Lucknow, Allahabad, Ajmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Calcutta, Shillong, Cuttack, Puri, Madras, and Bangalore refused, after due deliberation, to undertake the work; and the few artists who agreed, on their own terms, gave up the task after trials lasting from two to three months. At last Professor M. H. Krishna, M.A., D.LITT., Director of Archaeology, Mysore State, took me to several local artists and undertook to select one for me. But after protracted negotiations lasting over eight months he gave up in disgust the prospect of finding a reliable person for the purpose. declaring that "our old-type artists are so old-worldly in their business habits." But I am thankful to him for having brought me in contact with Śilpa Siddhanti Śivayogi Śrī Siddalingaswamy, the head of the Jagadguru Nāgalingaswamy monastery, who claims to be "a Śilpin by heredity," to have "studied Śilpa, painting, etc., at the feet of Guru" and to have been "training for a quarter of a century a number of youths in the art of sculpture, painting, and kindred subjects according to Sāstric canons." He undertook, after an experiment lasting for nearly a year, to supply twenty-two drawings on which another six months were spent. I believe that he has given the best of his inherited skill, ripe experience, and spiritual study of the subject to these sculptural drawings.