Puja and Piety celebrates the complexity of South Asian representation and iconography by examining the relationship between aesthetic expression and the devotional practice, or puja, in the three native religions of the Indian subcontinent. This stunning and authoritative catalogue presents some 150 objects created over the past two millennia for temples, home worship, festivals, and roadside shrines. From monumental painted temple hangings and painted meditation diagrams to portable pictures for pilgrims, from stone sculptures to processional bronzes and wooden chariots, from ancient terracottas to various devotional objects for domestic shrines, this volume provides much-needed context and insight into classical and popular art of India. Featuring an introduction by the eminent art historian and curator Pratapaditya Pal; accessible essays on each religious tradition by Stephen P. Huyler, John E. Cort, and Christian Luczanits; and useful guides to iconography and terms by Debashish Banerji, this richly illustrated catalogue will provide a lasting resource for readers interested in South Asian art and spirituality.

Featuring an introduction by the eminent art historian and curator Pratapaditya Pal; accessible essays on each religious tradition by John E. Cort, Stephen P. Huyler, and Christian Luczanits; and map, historical timeline, and glossary by Debashish Banerji; this richly illustrated catalogue provides a lasting resource for readers interested in South Asian art and spirituality. Published by Santa Barbara Museum of Art in association with University of California Press.

This exhibition is organized by Susan Tai, SBMA's Elizabeth Atkins Curator of Asian Art, in collaboration with Pratapaditya Pal, guest curator and editor of the catalogue.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

This exhibition and catalogue are made possible through the generous support of Fred Eychaner, Anonymous Donor, SBMA Women's Board, Victor K. Atkins, Jr., Narendra and Rita Parson, Natalia and Michael Howe, Siri and Bob Marshall ,Pratapaditya and Chitra Pal, Pat and Joe Yzurdiaga, Susan D. Bowey, John C. and Shelby C. Bowen Charitable Foundation, Pamela Melone in memory of F. Bailey Vanderhoef, Jr., Gwendolyn and Henry Baker, Cecille and Michael Pulitzer Foundation, and The Willfong-Singh Family. With additional support from Dr. Albert E. and Antoinette Gump Amorteguy Asian Publications Endowment, Capital Group, Inc. Asian Lecture Fund Endowment, Lady Dasher Sojo Fund for Asian Art Exhibitions and Publications, and Santa Barbara Museum of Art's Friends of Asian Art.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is a privately funded, not-for-profit institution that presents internationally recognized collections and exhibitions and a broad array of cultural and educational activities as well as travel opportunities around the world.

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Published in association with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Exhibition organized by Susan S. Tai, Elizabeth Atkins Curator of Asian Art
Exhibition dates: Santa Barbara Museum of Art, April 17–July 31, 2016

Can be ordered from Amazon.com
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: University of California Press (April 16, 2016)