SOUTH ASIAN HISTORY
Pages from the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent
Developments in Indian Art and Architecture
Challenging Western constructs and stereotypes concerning the Indian legacy
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Abstract
Academic appraisals of Indian art and architecture in the Western world have often suffered from colonially inspired biases and prejudices that have either attempted to discount the secular character of Indian art, or failed to fully appreciate it's most endearing qualities. Although the subcontinent has enjoyed a virtually uninterrupted history of developments in the realm of art and architecture, India has been either studiously ignored in compilations of "world" art - or it has been represented by a very small and limited number of examples.
Although, much of India's oldest secular architecture has not survived because it was built from wood, anecdotal accounts of Greek and Chinese travelers, surviving literature and court histories, ancient sculptural finds and cave paintings - all indicate that India was not lacking in secular buildings, many of which were embellished with architectural ornamentation and painted in naturally available colours. Of particular note are the public gateways known as Toranas and Step-Wells (Baolis) that were constructed by numerous rulers throughout India - some of which have still survived. Even India's temple art which emerged from a richly complex cultural and philosophical tradition is not without considerable secular content. Indian stupas and temples often incorporated sculpted images of musicians, dancers, acrobats and romantic or erotic couples in addition to depictions of a variety of deities. Naturalist or stylized renderings of flora and fauna are to be found not only in much India's ancient art but also in later Indo-Islamic art. The best of Indian miniatures, particularly those associated with different musical ragas, are notable for their evocative lyricism, wonderful sense of color, and expressive subtleties. Prior to colonization, virtually all of India's courts patronized a variety of decorative arts and crafts, and artifacts of superb quality are to be found in museums throughout the world. The Mughals were especially renowned for promoting what has been described as the "cult of the exquisite". However, one of the most appealing aspects of Indian art and architecture has been the widespread penetration of the folk idiom into courtly traditions that has been the outstanding hallmark of Indian art, and gives it it's highly characteristic flavor.
Summary of Topics, Main Themes
Comparisons between Western and Indian artistic traditions;
Historiographic aspects of the Indian Legacy
Examples of Indian Secular Architecture
Realism in Indian Sculpture
Philosophical content of Indian Art
Use of Symbolic Language in the Indian Stupa and Temple
Secular and Spiritual Fusion
Celebration of Life - Depictions of Dance, Music, Gymnastics, Romance and Eros in the Indian Temple
Impact of Islamic Rule on Traditional Indian Art and Architecture
Unique Facts of the Indian Miniature
Problems of depicting a multi-dimensional and ever-changing world in two dimensions
Ragmala Paintings, Emphasis on Mood and Emotion
Evolution of Architectural Practices in the Islamic Courts
Local Inspiration in Indo-Islamic Architecture; Eclecticism and Synthesis
Polychromatism in Indian Architecture
Decorative Arts of the Mughal, Rajput, Deccan and other Regional Courts
Vernacular and Influences in Indian Art and Architecture
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Last update: Mar 11, 2002