Sculpted Stones – Mysteries of Mamallapuram

On Tamil Nadu’s coast lies a small town that centuries ago must have been filled with the sounds of hammering and chiselling on stone – Mamallapuram or Mahabalipuram, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From a mammoth relief panel to cave temples and monoliths, it showcases sculptural art of astounding skill and a variety of styles rare to find in one location. The book takes us through this ‘open-air museum’ for a one-on-one ‘looking’ experience through its rich archive of 65 vivid photographs. The magnified visual details and narrative cues also throw up a sea of stories – and some riddles to be unravelled!