Fine Arts in Rigveda P. S. Sastri Were our Vedic Sages insular, being preoccupied with their meditations? The writer explains with copious illustrations that they were far from being other-worldly to the exclusion of secular affairs. Indeed, they showed by precept as well as by example that life had to be lived in all its warmth and splendour. They were the greatest artists of life, literally as well as figuratively.

t is a common observation of the bhritni, vansa, kshoni, nali, karkuri, occidental scholars that there is aghati and so on! There is the Ilittle of aesthetic value in the Rig dhamani along with a predicate Veda. Whatever the motive, this derived from this word, dham, view seems to be untrue. In Rig Veda constantly employed with these we come across mention of the instruments (2.11.8). Most of them various Fine Arts, beside a theory are applied to the Maruts, who are of Fine Art. said to be the best songsters. There To begin with, we read of a series are orchestral bands of musicians of musical instruments. Chief made up of these Maruts too. among these are vana, vani, bakura, Maruts formed themselves into

Bhavan’s Journal, 15 October, 2020 u 37 various groups or ganas presided over by Brihaspati, the Ganpati. It is by having song as the accompaniment that Brihaspati cleft the rock or cave and killed Vala, only to let loose the waters and light. The significance of this activity is that, music opens the doors to light and freedom. Music is one of the Fine Arts and like all other arts, it is the revelation of the Spirit in a sensuous garb. This is the meaning of the exploits of Brihaspati, who coming in a dialogue, it demands is also the lord of prayer. The same music together with dance. music is also cultivated by human In the field of dancing we have beings. They sing their songs in a better information. Dancing was sweet voice. The melody of popularised by the courtesans who Samagana is proverbial. If music were till recent times the best was not an integral part of Rig dancers in India. Ushas was the Veda, then there is no meaning in prototype of these dancers. Dance the compilation of Sama Veda brings forth rhythm. We are which is nothing but Rig Veda set informed that the universe sprang to music! Further, the refrains of out of dance, the dance of the gods: Rig Veda are mostly lyrical. They “When the gods lived in the pool, were mainly meant to be sung. For when the world was yet water, then instance, in the dialogue-hymn of a pungent particle went forth as if Vrisakapi there is a refrain, they were dancing”. (X. 72. 6). “Visvasmad indra uttarah” (10.86). The Soma dances so that Indra Now Indra too is one of the might come pleased by the offerings characters in this dialogue. Then (X. 94. 4). The Soma-pressing stones how can he too glorify himself? It too dance like the black deer in the is evident that something like the stall. (X. 94. 5). chorus or the orchestra is Men danced holding their bamboo necessary to sing it. Moreover, sticks aloft in the air (I. 10. 1).

38 u Bhavan’s Journal, 15 October, 2020 Even the battle provoked Indra to read (10.12.4): dance because of excitement and “She decks her beauty shining the consequent emotion (I. 120. 7). forth with sunbeams That is, emotion is the root cause Like women trooping to the of dance. Decent women appeared festive gathering.” on public occasions in white The people incline to Agni as the garments and coverings only to women at a gathering fair. (4.58.8). dance (8.17.7). A funeral too was This custom of going to the assembly celebrated with dance (10. 18. 3). or gathering is very old (10.86.10). That is, dance enlivens the spirit of We are told that the two ends of the man and consoles him. This is the bow meet like a woman and her lover purgation of the Aristotelean in the gathering place. (6.75.4). theory of art. Ushas appears like a The waters hurry to the wind as dancer; she decorates herself like dames to an assembly (10.118.2). a dancer and lays bare her breast These gatherings were visited by all as the cow does its udder to the kinds of people. Bowmen went calf. This reveals the existence of there to exhibit their skill in archery professional dancers in vedic (6.75.3,5). Horses were taken for times. races (9.96.9). Women flocked There were assemblies or there to enjoy themselves and seek gatherings that promoted these lovers (1.124.8; 4.58.8; 7.2.5). Old arts. These were termed ‘Samana’. ladies, aged spinsters (7.2.5.) and In a celebrated hymn to Ushas we courtesans (4.58.8) were a party in these festive gatherings. Pischel argues that the dancers If music was not an “ of the vedic times were courtesans. integral part of Rig He compares yoshah kalyanyah Veda, then there is no smayamanasah of Rig veda (4.58.8) meaning in the with kanyah, kalyanyak of Mahabharata. He also brings in compilation of Sama other passages to prove his Veda which is nothing contention. They are: but Rig Veda set to “Yabhih somo modate harsate ca kalyanibhih yuvatibhir na maryah.” music! (10.35.5) ” Bhavan’s Journal, 15 October, 2020 u 39 “Samanam na yosanah.” Indra and carved out a cup for the (10.168.2) gods to drink Soma. This cup was “Samaneva yosa” (6.75.4). divided into four by the equally It is these dancers and the great artist Ribhus. Amongst the courtesans that took to dance and best painters was Varuna who became in due course professional paints the sky with stars. The Asvins dancers. The vedic society was full too had something to do with of this dancing art. painting. From the foregoing it is evident On the whole, we have ample that the vedic poet considered that references to dancing and poetry dance has its origins in emotion alone. But it does not mean that the or excitement. It must be vedic poet did not know of the other harmonious and rhythmic. It is a arts. We have only a fragment of great enlivening force of life. It Rig veda. consoles us, ennobles and As regards poetry they present purifies us. It is to be a very modern theory. They accompanied by music. considered the form and matter of Ornamentation and decoration the poem as inseparably united. too figure therein. The immediate The work of art is a creation. It is a effect of this art is delight. revelation. It is the inspiring force Painting was recognised early that sings for the poets. It has been as a Fine Art. The great painters of said: the vedic poets were Dyavaprithivi. “Indro brahmendra rishih.” They paint the universe with Inspiration was an essential colours (9.5.6; 10.70.6). Tvastar feature of their poetic faith. The was the great architect of the gods poem must be a new one. It must be who fashioned the thunderbolt for simple, sweet and transporting, for Painting was a Yaska said, the vedic seers were “Sakshat Krita dharmana rishayah”. “recognised early as a It is as poets that they had the Fine Art. The great mystic insight into the reality of the painters of the vedic unseen. “Kavih Kavyenasi visvavit”; poets were “Kavih kavitva divi rupam Dyavaprithivi. asajat.”  40 u Bhavan’s Journal, 15 October,” 2020