Art and Photography (Art) Books - Genuine Titles, Great Prices

Art and Photography Books: Coffee Table Books on India, Wildlife and Heritage

Some books are made to be read, and some are made to be looked at again and again. Coffee table books and photography books belong to the second kind. Large pages, beautiful images and well researched text turn a single volume into a journey through palaces, temples, forests and festivals. This shelf brings together art and photography books on India's heritage, architecture, wildlife and culture, perfect for your own home, for a hotel or office lobby, or as a memorable gift.

Many titles here come from Tarun Chopra, whose photography of India is widely known, along with Dr. Surendar Sahai on Indian architecture, Dr. Daljeet Singh on Mughal painting, Bikram Grewal on birds, Vandana Bhandari on textiles and weddings, and Dharmendra Kanwar on the Palace on Wheels.

Coffee Table Books on India

If you want one book that captures the country, look at Tarun Chopra's work. Majestic India, The Soul of India, India: A Cultural Odyssey and India in Luxury are all lavishly photographed. India: A Cultural Odyssey comes in special collector editions with a box, which make a striking gift. Royal Palaces of India and Exotic Indian Interiors focus on the grandeur of princely India.

Many of these books are also available in other languages, including French, Spanish and Japanese editions of titles such as Majestic India and Kamasutra. That makes them thoughtful gifts for foreign friends, business partners and visitors who want to take a piece of India home.

Indian Architecture and Temples

Architecture students and heritage lovers will enjoy Dr. Surendar Sahai's books. Indian Architecture: Hindu, Buddhist and Jain and Indian Architecture: Islamic Period 1192-1857 together trace the main traditions of building in the subcontinent. Temples of South India covers the great Dravidian temples, and Temples of India: Abode of the Divine by Tarun Chopra brings together sacred sites from across the country. The Indian Courtyard House by T.S. Randhawa looks at a traditional form of home that suits the Indian climate beautifully.

For more on buildings and design, see our architecture books.

Indian Painting and Sacred Art

Mughal and Deccani Paintings: From the Collection of the National Museum by Dr. Daljeet Singh shows miniature painting at its finest, with fine detail, rich colour and court scenes. Sri Harimandar Sahib: The Body Visible of the Invisible Supreme by Dr. Daljeet and Prof. P.C. Jain is a visual tribute to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Looking closely at these pictures teaches you to notice the small things: a bird in a corner, a pattern on a robe, the expression on a face.

Wildlife and Nature Photography Guides

The Naturalist's Guide series is one of the most useful collections on this shelf. These compact, photo rich field guides help you identify what you see on a walk, a safari or even in your garden.

A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of India by Bikram Grewal and Garima Bhatia.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Mammals of India by Bikram Grewal and Rohit Chakravarty.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Reptiles of India by Indraneil Das and Abhijit Das.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of India by Peter Smetacek.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of India and Garden Flowers of India by Pradeep Sachdeva and Vidya Tongbram.
A Naturalist's Guide to the Insects of India.

Bird lovers should also look at The 100 Best Birdwatching Sites in India by Bikram Grewal and Bhanu Singh, and Wild Wonder of Rajasthan by V.D. Sharma and Rajpal Singh. More nature books are on our natural world and pets shelf.

Travel and Regional Heritage

Several titles celebrate particular places. Palace on Wheels: A Royal Train Journey Through Rajasthan by Dharmendra Kanwar captures the famous luxury train. Majestic Jaipur by Sara Wheeler covers the Pink City, and Marwari by Francesca Kelly looks at the proud horses of Rajasthan. The Islands and Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar by Priti Singh and Nepal: Where the Gods Live by Michele Beguin take you further afield. Luxury Resorts and Spas of India by Varun Soni suits travellers planning something special. For guide style books, see travel writing.

Textiles, Crafts and Celebrations

Vandana Bhandari's Textiles and Crafts of India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur explores the weaving traditions of the Northeast, and her Celebrating Dreams: Weddings in India shows the colour and ritual of Indian marriages. Fashion and design students will find more on our fashion and textile design shelf.

Kamasutra Editions

Tarun Chopra's illustrated Kamasutra editions present the ancient text as a cultural and artistic work, in English, French, Spanish and Japanese, and in a small pocket edition. They are aimed at adult readers.

How to Choose a Coffee Table Book as a Gift

Match the interest. A birdwatcher will value a field guide more than a general photo book.
Think about the setting. Large hardbound books suit living rooms and lobbies, while compact guides suit travellers.
Consider language. For foreign guests, a French, Spanish or Japanese edition shows real care.
Add a personal note. A few lines inside the cover make the gift memorable.

Our post on the perfect book gift for every occasion has more ideas.

Caring for Art Books

Large art books last for generations if you store them flat or upright with support, away from damp walls and direct sunlight. Turn pages with clean, dry hands. A good photography book only grows in value as a family keepsake over the years.

Learning From Great Photography

A good photography book is also a free lesson. Study how the photographer frames a temple doorway, waits for soft morning light on a palace wall, or gets down to eye level with a bird. Notice where the subject sits in the frame and what has been left out. Try copying one idea at a time with your own camera or phone, whether on a family trip or a walk in a local park. Over a few months your own pictures will improve noticeably, simply because you have learned to look more carefully. Keep a favourite book near your desk and open it whenever you need a little inspiration.

Where to Go Next

For painting, sculpture and other art forms, browse art forms books. Whether you want a gift, a field guide or a window into India's past, these books reward slow, repeated looking.

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