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Discover India- Best Books

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We reviewed many books and chose a selection that we felt was well written and truly represented India and its people. Please do let us know of any book(s) that you feel deserve a place in this selection.

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The Vastu Home by Juliet Pegrum		India Style by Monisha Bharadwaj
	Living in harmony with the living and non-living elements of nature has been the cornerstone of Indian philosophy for thousands of years. There is also a strong belief that prana or life force flows through all elements and attempts should be made to facilitate this flow. Vastu Shastra melds this philosophy and belief to present guidelines that aligns the living space with its inhabitants and the universe. Vastu is the lesser known (this is fast changing), but much older and more authentic cousin of the over-hyped Feng Shui. Juliet’s colorful book is well written and assumes no prior knowledge. It provides suggestions for minor adjustments as well as comprehensive redesign of your living space to balance the energies. Most people report feeling calmer, happier and more content after making changes as per Vastu tenets. This “rediscovered” ancient science is very popular in India too. People notice benefits of living/working in homes/offices constructed using Vastu guidelines. The best part is that Vastu guidelines are just that- guidelines. There is some amount of flexibility and you are allowed to choose !! You are sure to find the gems in this books useful, even more so if you currently practice yoga and/or ayurveda.		When asked to describe Indian style in one word, most people would say “colorful”. That is indeed true. Indian style is rich in color, which is liberally used by everywhere- from palaces of erstwhile maharajahs to homes in rural and urban parts of contemporary India. What fascinates most westerners is the ability of Indian interior decorations to assimilate mind-boggling number of styles from different cultures and even different eras. The whole design flows with ease- different elements blending together to enhance the look rather than impart incongruity. This book presents exactly these aspects and is meant to inspire the reader. As each part of the home is visited, different styles are explored, explained and in some cases, re-interpreted for contemporary living. Some of these are high-end and would not be practically possible to duplicate. But most can easily be adapted in the Western settings to infuse them with an ethnic flair or just make them outright Indian. The beautiful color pictures are sure to fire your imagination. The types of accessories shown are commonplace in India and at most Indian art stores in other countries. You may not find the exact duplicates but you are bound to find something close. This book is meant to start off the reader in the right direction. Everything else is limited only by the imagination.
	(160 Pages (medium size, paperback, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page		160 Pages (large size, hardcover, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page

The Yoga of Indian Classical Dance by Roxanne Kamayani Gupta		The Last Empire by Ainslie Embree, Clark Worswick
	Indian classical dance and the more renowned yoga are clearly intertwined. Over the years, some teachers, many students and most patrons of Indian dance seem to have forgotten the link between the two. This book is a memoir and an insightful commentary that attempts to remind us of that link and how these two “art” forms flow into each other. Numerous photographs enhance the text. It won’t provide much benefit to those with passing interest in eastern culture or those who have deep interest but can be considered “veterans” in terms of knowledge of eastern culture. This book is best suited for the section of audience that has recently commenced their journey of eastern culture exploration.		The British public was made aware of India's scenery long before the invention of photography. With the advent of camera, there was a deep interest in capturing the romance, glory and mysticism of the India. Western artists, photographers and adventurers made an attempt to understand and record the mysterious and exotic India. Many books were published during this time, which were a huge hit with public. By 1850s, photographic societies were established in Bombay, Bengal and Madras, and the East India Company was subsidizing photographers. This book is a collection of some of the most rare and extraordinary photographs of British India taken between 1855 and 1911, including the first photographs of the Himalayas, ancient archaeological wonders, the pageantry of British colonial troops, Indian landscapes, and ruling native princes. These have been gathered from collections throughout the world and many have never been seen outside the archives from which they were gathered. This outstanding book is a must buy for Collectors.
	(232 Pages (medium size, paperback, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page		160 Pages (large size, hardcover, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page



Spectacular India by Hugh Lauter Levin Associates		Indian Interiors by Deidi Von Schaewen, Sunil Sethi
	Most journalists and photographers have exhibited shortsightedness by never being able to see beyond India’s status as a third-world country. This has reinforced India’s reputation in the Western world more in terms of what it was under British rule rather than the period before or after it. Of course this is not an accurate portrayal of the rich culture, heritage and diversity spanning thousands of years; and modernity of rapidly changing contemporary India. “Spectacular India” is beautiful collection of 150 color photographs by some of India's finest photographers with accompanying text by prominent Indian experts. It makes an honest and successful attempt of portraying real India and does justice to the country and her people. It gives a sense of what India was, what India is and where it is heading. A must buy for Tourists, armchair Indians and Indians away from home. The format and size of this delectable volume make it a perfect coffee-table book.		A beautifully laid out book with 500 vivid color photographs is a visual treat. A must buy for interior designers and style lovers. One of the few books that correct the injustice done by western journalists and gives a positive spin to thousands of years of culture and history. It truly reflects the grandeur of Indian style by weaving a colorful mélange that will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever visited India. This book explores a spectrum of interiors ranging from Palaces to Havelis to Huts. It does not bore with endless text or try to influence the judgment of the reader. Short text (In English, German and French) accompanies each photograph though the pictures speak for themselves.
	132 Pages (oversize, hardcover, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page		340 Pages (large size, hardcover, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page

India Unveiled by Robert Arnett		The Spirit of Yoga by Kathy Philips
	This book has won a number of awards including the best armchair traveler book of the year award. It stands out from the league of similar books and comes straight from the author’s heart. Rightly acclaimed as one of the most insightful and revealing books about the country, it emphasizes diverse religious traditions and spirituality of India. This honest book easily impresses the reader with captivating vivid narrative peppered with delightful pictures. Organized by six broad regions, it is not meant to be a tome on India but a catalyst that propels the readers towards discovering it. It evokes nostalgic heartwarming feeling for those who have been to India and generates genuine interest among the would-be tourists. Though no one can claim to have captured the vastness, diversity and contradictions of Indian culture in one book, this fascinating volume comes pretty close. In the latest edition of the book, author has updated the text and pictures and done away with some redundant text. A must buy for anyone traveling to India or just having interest in it- Indians and non-Indians alike.		SELECTED REVIEW BEING WRITTEN
	224 Pages (large size, hardcover, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page		192 Pages (large size, hardcover, glossy) Price, user rating, availability and link to buy the product will be displayed on the next page