Kannaki and the annals of Cilappatikaram are foremost among the Tamil epics. The focus of Masterpieces of Indian Literature and Art: Tears of Kannaki: Annals and Iconology of ‘Cilappatikaram’ is on iconology and visuals bearing on the subject.

Designed in five nodal chapters, the book in two parts includes two annexure-s, glossary, bibliography (Part I), and Roman transcription of the Cilappatikaram followed by a comprehensive index (Part II), prepared by the publisher. Part I presents a copious picture of the following aspects:

— Introduction dealing with formal details and date of the epic

— Enumeration of the sequence of mythology of Kannaki

— Iconography as may be summarized from each chapter (katai)

— Iconology of Kannaki and the Cilappatikaram events

— Two annexure-s dealing with ‘religious imagery and architecture in Classical Tamil Literature’ with special reference to Kalittokai and Manimekalai

However, the main work is discussed in chapters III-V. For illustrations the author had done fieldwork from Kotumkallur in Kerala through Early Cola in Tamilnadu to Sri Lanka and Prambanan in Java.

Part II of the book presents the epic in Roman transcription. This part is evidenced by telegraphic notes within the format of the text.

More than 140 photographic samples are presented to bring to our eyes the events that took place 2,000 years ago.