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.

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.

INDIAN ART

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.

Like all traditional art, the purpose is primarily to instruct men in the great first causes, which according to the seers, govern the material, spiritual and celestial worlds.

Dedicated to communicating these great truths to mankind and, by the architectural, sculptural and pictorial reconstruction of the powers that maintain the stars in their courses.

Is an art of social, political and religious influences.

It changed and evolved with the evolution of a civilization which was full of remarkable innovations in all areas of artistic expression.

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).