Pandit, Vamanrao (1882-1941) was born with a marked talent for portrature, later honed by no less than two of the most celebrated artists of Europe, Philip de Laszlo and John Singer Sargent. Vamanrao has painted the well-known and well-heeled: Sir Dorab Tata, Sudhira Devi (Gayatri Devi's paternal aunt), Sir Cowasji Jehangir, Sir Ibrahim Rahimtoolah, Maharaja Sayajirao Geakwar, Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar and other 40 odd Maharajas, Ranas, Raos, Maharanas and Rajas from several princely states across India.

After his law education in London, Vamanrao moved to Vienna where Philip de Laszlo was already a recognised portraits in Europe. He spent four years with de Laszlo, travelling extensively throughout Europe visiting crowned heads of Europe and the aristocracy.

During this time, a friendship evolved between the two. De Laszlo made a suave portrait of the very handsome Vamanrao dressed as an Indian prince which was exhibited in 1907.

In 1097 Vamanrao moved back to London and joined the Royal Academy under Sargent. In his time in Europe, Vamanrao painted portraits of Lady Nina Corbet, Baron Arild Rosencrantz, the celebrated artist Otto Friedrick and the Countess of Bective among other aristocrats and nobility.

Vamanrao's style of portrature has the European academic approach and yet sports a distinct style - he used a muted colour palette and presented the jewels and pearls of his Indian sitters without overstating them. Says historian Sharada Dwivedi, who places Vamanrao's paintings 'an extremely high level' in the context of Indian art.

'There are many unsung artists. Vamanrao Pandit has been rediscovered now.

His portrature is as sensitive as, say, Raja Ravi Varma's or Dhurandhar's, although very different in style. He beautifully managed to get into the soul of the person.

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Together they are one of the most loved -- and hated -- pairs on Earth. This sensational, highly addictive biography delves beneath the Beckhams' glossy, glamorous facade to expose the real Posh and Becks behind the headlines and the hype.

Celebrity biographer Andrew Morton, hailed for his insightful, in-depth coverage of luminaries such as Princess Diana and Madonna, explores in detail how David and Victoria Beckham followed their passions -- football and fame -- to become two of the most recognizable people in the world. From their individual childhood stories of relentlessly pursuing their dreams to achieving fame together on an international level, Posh and Becks have earned their unofficial titles as the "King and Queen of Popular Culture," and they never disappoint their fans -- or the tabloids -- when it comes to making news.

Their whirlwind courtship, "royal" wedding, alleged affairs, and family struggles have been lived out under the glare of flashbulbs, which they seem to simultaneously court and shun as they attempt to balance their personal lives with their public personas. With up-to-date coverage and commentary on all things Beckham, including David's disappointing stint at Real Madrid and the family's relocation to Los Angeles, "Posh & Becks" lays bare the truth behind the tabloids on this fascinating couple.

About the Author : Andrew Morton has contributed to Posh & Becks as an author. Andrew Morton is the mega-selling author of Diana: Her True Story and Monica's Story, both international bestsellers (less)

Who then were the people who lavished this wilderness with such forbidding fortresses, built its fairytale palaces, lived (and continue to live) with such honour and respect for the past? Royal Rajasthan, with stunning aerial photographs of Rajasthan and rare archival images from the private collections of princely states, attempts to unravel the majesty and continuity of the traditions established by the kings and princes and which their descendants still hold on to as a pillar of their common culture. The result is a small nook of the world where even as (less)

The Setting: 1. Settlement patterns.

2. People.

3. Worship.

4. Dwellings.

II. Catalogue of Dwellings: 1.

Catalogue of dwellings. III.

Appendices: 1. House type, religion, caste and occupation.

2. Household kinship diagrams.

3. Chronological summary.

Bibliographical references. Glossary.

Plates. "This innovative multidisciplinary study, which draws on anthropology, architecture and ethno-archaeology, focuses on the inhabitants and dwellings of a royal village in central Karnataka, only a short distance away from the ruins of Vijayanagara.

The volume presents a detailed survey of over fifty houses, ranging from simple one-roomed dwellings to elaborate mansions inhabited by the descendants of the ruling house of Anegondi. More than one hundred annotated drawings illustrate room arrangements, showing how domestic space is used by the occupants, as well as architectural details of building exteriors and interiors.

The inhabitants believe that Anegondi is located within Kishkindha, the monkey kingdom mentioned in the Ramayana. Many local sites are associated with those (less)

The preparations described here are from the ancient Ayurvedic texts. Ayurveda is a science based on ancient Indian philosophy.

It can appropriately be called 'The Science of Living'. Ayurveda traces its etymology to Ayush, meaning 'life', and Veda, which originates from vid or knowledge.

Popularly speaking, Ayurveda can be defined as a medical science which helps the human body to keep fit, while providing cures from indigenous plants, animal products and minerals for ailments. Thus, being essentially a science of healing, it concentrates on what is required to lead a healthy, normal life.

It deals not only with what is to be done when one falls ill, but also with what should be done to maintain one's health and vigour (less)

The city and the royal encampment: 1. The construction of city palaces.

2. The life of the court.

3. Nowruz.

4. The birthday weighing ceremony.

5. Royal weddings.

6. The concealed world of the Zanana.

7. Court pastimes.

8. The royal encampment.

9. The Royal hunt.

II. The Mughal ‘House of Books’: 1.

The cultured curt. 2.

Akbar’s Atelier. 3.

The ‘House of Studies’. 4.

The court at Lahore. 5.

The versatile artists. 6.

The Mughals and Europe. 7.

Prince Salim’s atelier. 8.

Painting for Jahangir. 9.

The Jahangir Nama. 10.

The ‘Allegorical’ or ‘Dream’ paintings. 11 The king of the world.

III. The royal workshops and the skills of Hindustan: 1.

The treasury of precious stones. 2.

The treasury of jeweled artifacts. 3.

The traditions of Hindustan. 4.

Textiles and carpets. 5.

Mughal Jade. 6.

Enamelling. 7.

The Goldsmiths’ Atelier and the Iranian Master. Notes.

Bibliography. Index.

Photo credits. The greatest (less)