stella kramrisch was the professor of south asian art at the university of pennsylvania for a long period of time. she was also the curator of indian art at the philadelphia museum of art from 1954 until 1972, and was a curator emeritus until her death. in 1981 she curated "manifestations of shiva", a large-scale exhibition of indian art and sculpture at the museum, which was met with both critical and popular success. her books include "the hindu temple" (1946, still in print in india), "principles of indian art", and the encyclopedic "the presence of siva". she was a friend of the ballerina, designer, actress, and collector natacha rambova. barbara stoler miller and wayne e. begley were among her students. prof. kramrisch was succeeded by michael w. meister, who is currently the w. norman brown professor of south asia studies and history of art at the university of pennsylvania.