Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v1.c10.s2.2

v1.c10.s2.2

We know that it is the architect who makes what the Architecture is (Sthāpatya — स्थपतेः कर्म स्थापत्यम् ). All the Śāstric rules, all the materials, rich and varied, are useless, unless the architect so combines them, so moulds and shapes them—in one word—so reorientates them that quite a new thing emerges, a new creation springs up. Like a poet, the weaver of dreams, he weaves the poetry of buildings, like a musician he produces the rhythm of the structure, and like a creator, he creates a new creation. It was the genius or the superb artistic craftmanship which has been responsible in producing monumental buildings like Kailash at Ellora. Mr. Percy Brown (Indian Architecture page 90) speaking of Kailash at Ellora pays a glowing tribute to the master-mason whose dream had taken a concrete manifestation. The specimens of architectural achievements in monuments, our great heritage and pride, are equally aglow with the glowing tribute Mr. P. Brown has paid to Kailash.