SK Ramachandra Rao
A Karnataka polymath whose encyclopedic work on Hindu iconography and temple architecture reveals the metaphysical logic embedded in every sculptural form and spatial arrangement - the temple not as monument but as cosmological diagram made stone.
A polymath from Karnataka, he was a great art critic, philosopher and metaphysician. He has commented upon every aspect of Hindu arts, creating an encyclopaedia on iconography but his most important work lies in the area of vastu and Hindu temple architecture. While most scholars of Hindu temple architecture today see it as a building and ignore the quintessence which is the pradhana vigraha in the garbha-griha, Shri S K Ramachandra Rao would start from that and then give an exposition about every symbol and every aspect of temple architecture.
Select Works
- Art and Architecture of Indian Temples (1994) – Comprehensive survey of temple design and symbolism.
- Navagraha-Kosha (1995) – Encyclopedic study of the nine planetary deities.
- The Compendium on “Ganesa” (2005) – Detailed exploration of Ganesha’s iconography and theology.
- Principles of Yajna-Vidhi (1991) – Analysis of Vedic ritual theory and practice.
- Tantra Mantra Yantra / The Tantra of Sri-Chakra – Works on Tantric philosophy and ritual geometry.
- Agama Encyclopaedia (multi-volume) – Reference work on temple canon and ritual texts.
