Jaina Rock Cut Caves In Western India Part 02

Author(s): Viraj Shah
Publisher: Agam Kala Prakashan

Page 12

Jaina Rock-Cut Caves in Western India
This work would not have been completed without the help, support and affection of all my friends. My deepest gratitude to Geeta Jain for everything she has done for me. I am very grateful to my friends Sangeeta, Sharmi, Vaishali, Vasundhara and Nilesh for their invaluable help during fieldwork and for standing by me. Vaishali and I have had some of the most memorable experiences during our common fieldtrips and I appreciate her help and support. Sukanya, Rhea and Kurush have always been there for me. This work has immensely benefited from the discussions I have had with Sharmi. I thank her for her suggestions and for believing in me.
Two special friends, Drs. S. K. Aruni and Richa Jhaldiyal, have been most supportive throughout. I am very grateful to both of them for their encouragement, guidance and help in all possible ways. Another friend, who deserves special mention, is Dr. Alok Kanungo. If it had not been for his constant reminders and encouragement, almost amounting to harassment through series of text messages, e-mails and phone calls, I would have never got around editing my thesis and publishing it. I sincerely thank him for his support and help. To Dr. Shahida Ansari, I owe moments of laughter and fun. Dr. Arati Deshpande-Mukherjee and Dr. Sushma Deo have remained close friends, confidantes and great support. With Aditi and Shubhangi, I have shared some of the best moments of my life. I appreciate and cherish their love and friendship.
My family has been the source of inspiration for me. I am immensely grateful to my sister, Fora, who accompanied me to most of my fieldtrips and did all the line drawings at the site. Without her love and help, this work would not have been possible. My parents have stood by all my decisions and have always encouraged me to do what I like and not just tread the conventional path. It has only been their love, support and encouragement that has helped me go through all situations and pursue an unconventional career against all odds. From my late grandmother I learnt the rich tradition of folk songs, riddles and stories. Unfortunately, she did not survive to see this publication. But I cherish her love and memory. To her, I dedicate this work.
I am thankful to the publisher, Dr. Agam Prasad and his efficient staff for bringing out the book in such a short time.
Lastly, I am indebted to all the scholars on whose research this work has been based. Any mistakes that might have cropped up in this work are entirely mine.