'Discovering the Deccan' Book Launch at The Park, Hyderabad

Discovering the Deccan is published in association with the Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF), newly founded in the UK and India to promote awareness of the cultural heritage within the living social context and surviving natural environment of the region. Too many of the sites showcased in this volume remain little known outside peninsular India. They are now threatened with neglect, and, even worse, misguided urban development and insensitive archaeological restoration. The brilliant visual impact of the photographs is intended to draw attention to these and other problems of preserving this unique heritage, and to promote the efforts of the DHF in areas of research, education and, hopefully, in time, restoration.

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh - January 2013 wan exclusive event in the company of H. E. H. Princess Esra Jah, and in collaboration with Pictor Publishing and the Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) The Park will be hosting illustrated talks on the aesthetic legacy of the region, by Drs. George kitchen and Helen, authors of Discovering the Deccan. The authors will present what they believe in India's best kept secret: the art and architecture of the Deccan. The authors will engage in an interactive discussion with the audience. The event will also include a presentation of the Deccan Heritage Foundation's mission and current initiatives by Mr. Sandeep Reddy, a DHF trustee. Copies of the book will be available for sale and the presentations will be followed by cocktails and book signing.

THE PROGRAMME
Welcome by The Park Illustrated talks on the Monuments of the Deccan by Drs. George Michell and Helen Philon Presentation about Deccan Heritage Foundation by Mr. Sandeep Reddy, Trustee Book Signing

THE BOOK This is an extravagant visual presentation of more than 30 historically significant, but less known, sites in the heart of peninsular India. The Deccan region of peninsular India remains one of India's best kept secrets in spite of its numerous, impressive historical monument — the rock-cut Buddhist shrines at Karla and Ajanta; the elegant carvings on the Hindu temples at Badami and Aihole; the magnificent ruins of ih imperial city of Hampi-Vijayanagara; the imposing forts and tombs at Gulbarga, bidar, Bijapur and Golconda; the elegant, European influenced palaces in Hyderabad. These and other monuments survive in a comparatively complete condition, but have until now been under-appreciated. A vicarious tour of these sites is now possible with this volume through its 65 breathtaking panoramic views, by far the finest photographs ever taken.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Finest ever visual introduction to the landscapes and historical sites of peninsular India
• Comprehensive overview of more than 2000 years of architectural developments
• Spectacular panoramic images by Surendra Kumar, one of the most talented young photographers working in Southern India

DECCAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Discovering the Deccan is published in association with the Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF), newly founded in 'the UK and India to promote awareness of the cultural heritage within the living social context and surviving natural environment of the region. Too many of the sites showcased in this remain little known outside peninsular India. DHI is dedicated to the preservation, conservation and education of the natural and cultural heritage of the Deccan region of India.

GEORGE MICHELL trained as an architect in Melbourne, and then obtained a PhD in Indian Archaeology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, with a disstertation on Early Chalukya temple architecture. Since then he has been involved in research at numerous historical sites, including HampiVijayanagara, which, together with John M Fritz, he has extensively documented. Michell's recent publications are Mughal Architecture & Gardens (Shoestring, Mumbai), The Great Temple at Thanjavur (Marg, Mumbai) and Badami, Alhole, Pattadakal (Pictor, Mumbai).

HELEN PHILON completed her PhD in Islamic Archaeology at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, with a dissertation on the Bahrnani architecture of the Deccan. She was founder of the Islamic Department at the Museum Benaki Athens, Greece where she organised a number of exhibitions and publications. She completed her PhD on the religious and royal architecture of the Bahmanis of the Deccan at the School of Oriental and African Studies London. She is editor of Silent Splendour: Palaces of the Deccan (Marg, Mumbai) and author of Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur (Pictor, Mumbai).