Group 2Burgos, Stacey

Cabotaje, Jose Maria

Casais, Bea Pauline

De Mesa, Juan Carlo

Estanislao, Wencee

Fenis, Cristelle

INDIAN ART

HISTORY

The major themes of Indian art seem to begin emerging as early as the Harappan period, about 2500 BC.

With the arrival of the Indo-Europeans (or Aryans) around 1500 BC, came new artistic ideas.

Around 500 BC, the conversion to Buddhism of a large part of the population of India - brought new artistic themes.

Conquests of Alexander the Great, in the 320s BC - also had an important impact on Indian art.

He left colonies of Greek veteran soldiers in Afghanistan and Pakistan, some of which were sculptors.

Their Greek-style carvings attracted attention in India.

First life-size stone statues in India date to the 200s BC, just after Alexander.

Guptan period, about 500 AD - great cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora were carved.

Scenes from the life of the Buddha became popular, and statues of the Buddha.

CAVE TEMPLES AJANTA Carved from the 2nd-6th century and

are 30 in number. Dedicated to Buddhism and the carvings

in them portary the life of Lord Buddha along with other carvings like that of animals.

The Ajanta Caves were carved out of volcanic rock in the Maharashtra Plateau.

It was not far off from the ancient trade routes attracting traders & pilgrims through whom the Ajanta art style diffused as far as China & Japan.

Buddhist Monks employed artists to turn the stone walls into picture books of Buddha's life & teachings.

They portrayed the costumes, ornaments & styles of the court life of their times.

Arrival of Islamic faith and Islamic conquerors about 1000 AD.

Brought iconoclasm to India, and a love of varied and complex patterning derived from Arabic and Persian models.

This affected even Hindu artists who had not converted to Islam.

Small Persian-style miniature paintings also became popular.

INDIA A land of diverse cultures. Variations in physical, climatic conditions

and the extent of exposure to other cultures have greatly influenced the traditions and culture of the different regions.

The greatness of India - accepting the best from all the invaders and intermingling the new customs and styles with the existing - visible in all aspects - music, dance, painting, sculptures, architecture.

RELIGION Indian religions is a classification

for religions that originated in the Indian subcontinent; namely Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.

These religions are also classified as Eastern religions.

Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religion of the Indian subcontinent. It includes a wide spectrum of laws and prescriptions of "daily morality" based on the notion of karma, dharma, and societal norms.

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation.

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha ("the awakened one").

Sikhism embody the qualities of a "Sant-Sipahie"—a saint-soldier. One must have control over one's internal vices and be able to be constantly immersed in virtues clarified in the Guru Granth Sahib. A Sikh must also have the courage to defend the rights of all who are wrongfully oppressed or persecuted irrespective of religion, colour, caste or creed.

CULTURE India is a conglomeration of men

and women of various castes and creed. It is a fusion of old traditional values and the modern principles, thus satisfying all the three generations in the present India. The Elite businessman and the common vendor on the road share the same news and worship the same deity .

India is a secular country as stated in its Constitution. There is freedom of worship throughout the length and breadth of India without any breeches or violations of any other’s religious beliefs. The Hindus, The Muslims, The Christians, and The Sikhs in times of calamity and during festivities come openly together to share their thoughts despite their religious affinities.

INDIAN ART With a 5000-year-old culture, rich

in its tapestry of ancient heritage, medieval times, Mughal rule, British rule, Progressive art and now contemporary art.

The earliest recorded art of India originated from a religious Hindu background, which was later replaced by a soaring popular Buddhist art.

India has been inspired by spiritualism and mystical relationship between man and god.

In India, all art, like all life, is given over to religion. Indian art is life, as interpreted by religion and philosophy.

Described as theological, hieratic, or, perhaps best of all as traditional.

Art in India had survived in its homeland and spread from time to time all over the world.

Many kings who recognized budding talent patronized art and themselves were great connoisseurs.

Each king has left a deep impression of his affinity to the artist community. Until today, art is patronized by the rich and famous in the country.

The cultural policy of the Government of India has three major objectives:

Preserving the cultural heritage of India,

Inculcating Indian art consciousness amongst Indians,

And promoting high standards in creative and performing arts.

Western scholars have often had difficulty understanding the complex cultural and philosophical systems that gave birth to Indian art tradition.

The story of Indian art is also the story of the oldest and the most resilient culture on earth.

It is seen as an amalgamation of indigenous and outside influences, yet having a unique character and distinctiveness of its own.

FEATURES OF INDIAN ART Spirals and curvaceous lines, vines and

tendrils. Round-figured goddesses, circular

amulets, colored gemstones, arches and domes, haloed deities, crescent moons, and the globe of the sun.

Sculptures & paintings depict the diversity, colour and spontaneity of the country and are representations of the all-encompassing nature of Indian culture.

KOLAMS Kolam designs have been tradionally

handed down to the younger generation by the elders.

Several organisations and magazines conduct kolam exhibitions & contests to revive the interest in traditional habits & customs.

There are enthusiasts who create fresh new designs, but kolams are basically redrawn by the public following the designs taught by elders or printed in books & magazines.

PAINTING Flourished in India from very early

periods, evident from literary sources and also from the discovered remnants.

Contemporary artists have kept up to the times & excel in their modern works, giving free expression to their imagination & artistic liberty.

Can be broadly classified as the murals & miniatures. Murals- huge works executed the walls of solid structures.

Miniature paintings are those executed on a very small scale on perishable material such as paper, cloth, etc., Though perfected by artisans under the various rules, not many remain today.

Shiva mural in the Kailasanatha Temple,

dating from the 8th century AD

MURAL*Shiva (meaning "auspicious

one") is a major Hindu deity, Shiva is a yogi who has

notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life.

In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God and has five Important works: creator, preserver, destroyer, concealer, and revealer (to bless).

MINIATURE Rajasthan is one of the pioneer seats of

miniature paintings in India. There reflects in these paintings a

continuity of the great traditions of Ajanta murals and Jain art of Gujrat.

This initial art style is a blend of indigenous art forms and the elements of the art traditions of Ajanta and Gujarat.

A folio from the Dhola Maru love-legend of Rajasthan, Mewar, dated 1592 A.D.

ARCHITECTURE

Famous Hindu Akshardham temple in South Delhi

Encompasses a multitude of expressions over space and time,

transformed by the forces of history considered unique to the sub-continent, sometimes destroying, but most of the time absorbing.

The result is an evolving range of architectural production that none the less retains a certain amount of continuity across history.

AJANTA CAVES - ARCHITECTURE