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The Book deals extensively with the different types of sculptures and portraits found in various temples and elsewhere and how they found important places in monuments and temples. Portrait-sculptures have been discovered in almost every part of India, and we can now point to specimens representative of the work of almost every period in the history of Indian sculpture. Nowhere in India, however has the art had so persistent a life as in South India or such a creditable record of achievement, and nowhere else has the art drawn its inspiration more freely from the fondest beliefs and the clearest convictions of the people. The south Indian sculptor was not a flunkey devoting his talents to the immortalizing of the facial lineament of the rich and the powerful; his chisel was very frequently employed in carving the features of those who, though lowly, were yet endowed richly with the rare virtue of faith.

Literary works in the various languages of India do not generally allude to this class of sculptures. A few references in Sanskrit literature are utilised later in discussing the evolution of portrait sculpture. The earliest Tamil literature now available contains indications of the popularity of sculptures portraying human beings. Fully illustrated with samples from various sources this book will be an important contribution to the art and history of south Indian Archeology and Iconography.