Indian Culture

Table of Contents Indian Culture – Denny Jose ...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 Religion and Philosophy ...... 3 (more than a religion it’s a way of life) ...... 3 Jainism ...... 5 Buddhism ...... 6 Sikhism ...... 8 Islam ...... 9 Art, Architecture and Craft ...... 10 Indus Valley Civilization...... 10 Mauryan Architecture ...... 13 Caves and Rock cut Architecture ...... 16 Temple Styles ...... 20 Nagara Style/Mayamatha/North Indian ...... 20 (Eastern Temples of Odhisha) ...... 26 Vesara Style of Architecture ...... 31 Chalukya Style ...... 31 Hoysala Style Architecture ...... 33 Dravida Style Architecture ...... 34 Pallava Style ...... 34 Chola Style ...... 36 Medieval Indian Architecture ...... 38 Imperial Architecture ...... 41 Qutab Complex ...... 41 Lodhi Gardens ...... 45 Provincial Style Architecture ...... 45 Mandu Style (Provincial Style) ...... 48 Deccani Style ...... 52 Mughal Style ...... 56

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Victorian Architecture ...... 63 Roman Architecture ...... 63 Neo Classic Architecture ...... 64 Neo – Gothic ...... 65 Painting ...... 66 Sadanga of ...... 67 Mural Painting ...... 67 Vijayanagara Painting...... 72 Miniature Painting ...... 73 Dance forms ...... 91 Tribhanga ...... 91 Nataraja ...... 92

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Indian Culture

Indian Culture – Denny Jose

Introduction What is Culture? Social Anthropologists distinguish it into material and non – material, where the former refers to the technology, art forms, architecture and goods which we use in our daily life and the latter refers to the intellectual thoughts, traditions, beliefs, myths and legends. In short culture is a complex mix of knowledge, belief, art forms, traditions and customs. As A.L.Basham observes Indian culture is always changing. The process through which the culture influencing the social system is called institutionalism. The fundamental idea behind the Hindu form of Indian culture is based on and rebirth. The pluralistic tradition of Hinduism was reinforced by the institutionalism of caste system (which is also part of the Indian culture).

Religion and Philosophy

Hinduism (more than a religion it’s a way of life)  Originally not a religion but the people living in a geographical area (river Indus).  Derives its basic ideas from . Rig-Veda the earliest Veda (oldest religious composition in the world). – melodic rendering, – sacrificial formula for priests, – magical incantations and medicine.  The early brahmanical or vedic religion did not have temples or images. The worshiped the nature gods.  A synthesis of and non – Aryan ideas helped Hinduism to survive till today without being of a missionary nature.  Fundamental goal – achieve or liberation from the cycle of existence, till then rebirth.  According to Upanishad four stages in life, Brahmachari, Grihasta, , Sanyasa.  Karma the fundamental law of the moral world.  Philosophical thinkers made their own original speculation by creating 6 systems in which are Sankhya, , , (which are not based on Vedas), Purvamimsa and Uttara mimamsa (which are based on Upanishad). Bhagavath Geetha which is a part of the epic Mahabharatha is a supplement to the .  – was a steadily growing religious movement absorbing within its fold other Vedic and brahmanical divinities like and .  History of Vishnavas started after the Gupta period. They were worshippers of Lord Vishnu. Vaishnava poet saints were known as and their poems were collectively known as prabandhas. They mainly flourished in south . They also had an intellectual side with great teachers known as Sri Vishnava . At the same time in the their flourished another sect who was worshippers who were knows in the South India (specifically in Tamil Nadu) as . Shivism had references in Panini’s . Their emotional songs were known as Tevaram and are ceremonically sung in local Shiva Temples.

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 Modern Hinduism dates from the new Hindu philosophy put by Shankara through his theory of Advaitha or monoism (8th century A.D). He restored the worship which had lost its importance in the vedic period.  Hinduism mainly became part and parcel and most of the latter reforms from through his Visishtadvitha and from through his dvaitha (dualism) all were contributed from South Indian and slowly flourished to other parts of the country and was latter called as Bhakthi movement (Most of the reforms in South India).  Main propounders of Bakhthi movement were – Allahabad , Vallabhacharya, – , Namadeva , Eknath, , Ramdas– , Mirabhai – , (blind poet) – Agra, Lalla – Kashmir, Chaithanya – Bengal.

Raja Rammohan Roy and Rammohan Roy knew both Persian and Arabic. This led him to peep into the inner meaning of Hinduism and Islam. Being himself a he started questioning Idolatry, priesthood, system, child marriage etc. Eventually he became the first religious reformer. Since during this period it was the religion which ruled over the society, he can also be considered as a social reformer. For this purpose he started on August 20, 1828, the Brhamo Sabha which stood for the worship and adoration of eternal unsearchable and immutable being. It did not have any image, statue, sculpture, carving, priesthood or anything of the traditional Hindu worshiping system. He also rose against the sati system which was latter abolished. He realized the value of western education and started two schools for English education.

After his death in 1843, Tagore took up the leader ship of Brahmo Samaj. He expressed his ruthless opposition towards Christianity in compelling people to convert to Christianity. Along with more vibrant leaders like K.C. Sen Samaj advocated more on radical social changes.

In 1866, K.C.Sen along with his followers left parent body and started Brahmo Samaj and hence the parent body was known as Adi Brahmo Samaj. Another allegation aroused that K.C. Sen gave his daughter in a marriage when she was only 14 yrs. This again led to the disintegeration of Samaj and it again split in 1878 and was known as Sadharan Brahmo Samaj. Thus the significance came to an end.

Ramakrishna and Vivekananda considered devotion to the God as the supreme goal of mind. With him started the neo Hinduism, in which he broke all the barriers which separated the into different cults and sections. His famous disciple Narendra Dutt also interpreted the Hindu spiritual concepts in the light of modern rationality and progressivism.

He along with other followers started the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897. This was set up for three fold activities they are:-

 Spread the meaning of Vedantic spiritualism  Harmony among various faiths and cults  Service to mankind is service to God.

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Prarthana Samaj Influenced from K.C.Sen. M G Ranade the chief leader. Started in 1867 Main difference with respect to Brahmo Samaj was that this stood within the fold of the Hindu orbit other than the former. Main idea was the rationalization of Hindu socio-religious habits.

Arya Samaj Started by Swami Dayanand Saraswathi. They wanted to revive Hinduism within itself. It believed the first duty of any Aryan is to read the vedas. He renowned the glory of the past. The members of the Samj required to devoid themselves to the social, physical and spiritual welfare of its fellowmen. It condemned the Brahmanical rites, idolatry and superstitious practices. On the other hand it opened the door opened for non-hindus. Swami himself started the movement to convert the non- hindus back to Hinduism.

The theosophical Society Started by H.P. Blavatsky and Col. H.S.Olcott in US in 1875. Latter it moved to Indain in 1886 and made its HQ at Adayar, Madras presidency. Main objective study and preach Aryan philosophy, so itself their fundamental faith was based on Hinduism. Main figure here Annie Besant. All together the movement was a failure both in India and the world.

Jainism  Jiana means conqueror.  Believed that the religion is quite old even older than Aryan Brahmanism.  23 thirthankaras before Mahavira. First – Rishaba, 23rd – Parshvanatha.  Mahavira born to king of Jnathrika clan and Trishla at Kundagrama (Muzzafarpur, ).  Left home at the age of 30, got enlightment (kevala jnana) at town of Jimbrikgrama after 13 years.  Attained kaivalya from , Patna at the age of 72.

Mahavira attaining Kevala jnana or Supreme Knowledge.

 Jaininsm rejects the idea of creator, but does not oppose the cast system.  They believes in karma and transmigration of soul.  Three fold path – Right faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct.

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 Right Conduct consists of 5 principles. , ,Asateya(not to steal), Aparigraha(non pocession), Brahmacharya.  The teachings of thirthankaras are compiled in 12 Angas which are written down at Vallabhi in the fifth century A.D.

Jain Flag

 Eight Symbols of Jainism or Ashtamangal

SSNVBKMD 1. Swasthika – peace and wellbeing. 2. – center of Jainas chest (pure soul). 3. Nandyavartya – large swasthika with nine corners. 4. Vardhamanaka – Shallow earthen dish, increase in wealth and merit. 5. Bhadrasana – blessed jainas feet 6. – pot filled, wisdom and completeness 7. Minayagula – victory over sexual desires. 8. Darpana – mirror, reflects ones true self  Jainism divided – Digambaras (naked) and Svetambaras (white clothes)  Females in Digambaras wear white cloth and are known as Aryikas. Only men attain moksha here  Female of Svetmbaras are known as Sadhvis. They have full status as renunciates.  Indian culture has greatly influenced by jaininst ideas of Ahimsa.

Buddhism  Buddha variously known as Sakyamuni or Thathagatta was born as Sidhardha to Sudhodhana the ruler of Sakyan republic and on a Vaishakha purnima In gardens near Kapilavasthu (now in Nepal). His wife is Yashodara and son Rahula. His family name is Gauthama.  Left home at the age of 29 dissatisfied by seeing sickness, old age and death. 6

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 At the age of 35 attained enlightenment on a vaishaka purnima under a peepal tree and is known as (now in Bihar). Gave his first sermon at deer park .

 statue at the Tokyo national museum  The Four noble truth: 1. The existence of suffering 2. Reason for suffering is Trishna (Desire) 3. Suffering can cease 4. There is a path that leads to cessation of suffering.  The path to achieve Nirvana is the eight fold path and that is :

Division Eightfold Path factors Acquired factors Viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears 1. Right view to be Wisdom (: prajñā, Intention of renunciation, freedom and

Pāli: paññā) 2. Right intention harmlessness 3. Right speech Speaking in a truthful and non-hurtful way Ethical conduct 4. Right action Acting in a non-harmful way

(Sanskrit: śīla, Pāli: sīla) 5. Right livelihood A non-harmful livelihood 6. Right effort Making an effort to improve Awareness to see things for what they are with clear consciousness; being aware of the present reality within 7. Right mindfulness oneself, without any craving or aversion Concentration (Sanskrit and Correct meditation or concentration,

Pāli: samādhi) 8. Right concentration explained as the first four jhānas

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 Buddhist Councils

No Year Patronage Presided by Place Objective To preserve the Budhist 1 400 BC Ajatasatru Mahakasyapa Rajagriha sayings(suttas) and the rules(vinaya) To settle a dispute on Vinaya 2 383 BC Kalasoka Sabakami Pittaka. The teachings of Budha was classified in three baskets adding Abhidhamma Pittaka. Now it is 3 250 BC Ashoka Moggaliputta Tissa called the Tripitaka Vasumitra & Buddhism divided into & 4 72 AD kanishka Asvaghosa Kundalvana Henayana Mandalay, 5 1871 Mindon Jagarabhivamsa Burma Recite all teachings of Budha Kaba Aye, To reserve genuine dhamma and 6 1954 U Nu (PM) Mahasi Sayadaw Burma Vinaya pittaka

Chaitya they are Buddhist prayer halls.two types based on religious belief -mahayana and together ,chaiyas and are called mahasangharama they are the rest houses of the Buddhist monks constructed in circular shape exemple- nagarjunakona Buddhist vihara

 The Hinayana – were also known as (widespread in Sri and Southeast Asia Myanmar, Thailand etc) and they consider Budha as a man and gave his teaching an ethical Value. Their doctrine emphasized on the salvation of an individual  Whereas Mahayanas gave emphasize on Bodhisattva (spread in east Asia like China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan ) and so are also known as Bodhisattvas  Tantric Buddhism or Vajrayana (Spread in Tibet or Mongolia) evolved from the interaction of Buddhist thought and Brahmanical speculations.  Buddhism has contributed very much to the Indian Culture intellectually, literary and architecturally and also the idea of Dhamma.

Sikhism  Nanak a product of Bakhti movement in North Indain started a new religion Sikh means shishya or disciple.  He tried to unite Hinduism and Isam in his philosophy.  He termed God as Vahiguru who is shapeless, timeless and sightless.  The problems all people are the five evils which are ego, greed, anger, attachment and lust.

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 All his poems and sayings are included in Adi Grand.  There was 10 after him and 10th was Guru Gobind Sigh and stopped the Guru system. He entitled the males with Singh and females with Kaur.  He instituted the ceremony of Pahul or baptism and then a person is belonged to Khalsa. Anybody in Khalsa is entitled to enjoy the 5 Ks 1. Kesh (long hair) 2. Kanga (comb) 3. Kachcha (shorts) 4. Kara (Bangle) 5. Kirpan (short sword)

Islam  Believes God has sent many prophets to this world. Jesus, Abraham, Moses all come under this position. was Mohammed.  They believe in one God. Muslims are bound to follow certain duties. 1. Five ritual prayers everyday 2. Weekly jumma on all Fridays 3. Dawn to Dust fast in the month of Ramzaan 4. Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a life time 5. Give zakkath to the poor and the needy.  The rules of Muslims flow from their holy book Quaran.  They are divided into two sects Sunni and Shia. Mainly they are divided on the idea of who succeed to lead the whole muslims after the death of Prophet. Sunni believe Mohd had given the responsibility to Abu Bakr and Shia believes that the responsibility is given to the son -in – law of Mohd Shiat Ali. Both agree that Mohd as their last prophet.  Islam has brought various Indo Islamic styles in architecture, painting, music etc. In India majority of Muslims are Sunnis.  Another important contribution during the medieval period is the Sufi Movement.

Sufism  Also known as Tasawwuf.  They are organized into various sisilas. They accepted the prophethood of Mohd and the authority of Quran but also integrated the ideas of other religions like Christianity, Hinduism etc.  Main objectives were 1. Their own spiritual development. 2. Service to humanity.  Different Silsilas or Orders.

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Silsila Founder Remarks

Most successful in India. No love for Money, women or court positions. Prime Khwajah Muinuddhin importance is service to humanity. Great Chisti Chisti contributions in music Unlike Chisti lead a comfortable life. Did not approve the Chisti practise of Suhrawadi Shihab ud din Suhrawadi listnening to musics and songs Sayyid Mohd Gilani brought it to India. Qadiri Sheik Abdul Qadir Gilani They were also wealthy enough During Lodhi Dynasty. Tried to unite Hindus and Muslims. Led a spiritual life Shattiri Shah Abdullah with worldly comforts. Root cause of all trouble is hunger. Any spiritual endeavor should be to fulfill Firdausi Badr ud din basic needs Naqshbandhi Khwajah Bagi Billah Orthodox order

Art, Architecture and Craft  Indian architecture is a blend of both sculpture and painting  It was mainly influenced at least in the past by religion  The artists were instructed by priestly class but their personal creativity has definitely influenced their work.  The past and medieval art and architecture cannot be viewed in isolation except the Indus valley art and .

Indus Valley Civilization

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Dancing Girl

 It’s a 4 inch bronze dancing girl which is a copper figure with long hair tied in a bun. She has thin long limbs with a vibrant dancing posture. Her left hand is completely covered with bangles and the right hand with marginally less bangles. Right hand at the hip and left hand at the thigh holding a bowl. She also wears a necklace and left thigh is raised in a bended position.

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 There were two mutilated torsos one made of Limestone and Redstone.  The one made of Redstone is a nude male Torso (literal meaning an un-completed man usually without arms and limbs) with a prominently bulging stomach. This is similar to the Gandhara School of art 2000 years later. The shoulders are well curved here. A dynamic quality is embodied in this work.

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 The bearded man is popularly considered as priest. It’s a 7 inch man with his hair combed middle apart with elongated eyes half closed in a meditation posture. His face is covered with short beard and a closely cut mustache. He is wearing a shawl along his right arm around his neck. The shawl is decorated and this proves that there was embroidery during this time.  Various terracotta objects with different types of paintings were found during this time. The seals used were also had impressions of animals like bull (numerously used), etc.  This sculpture had great similarity with the statuary of Sumaria.

 The pottery also had paintings within it.

Mauryan Architecture

The art and architecture of the Mauryan Empire constitutes the culminating point of the progress of . The period was marked by mature use of stone and production of masterpieces.

Classification: The Mauryan period art and architecture, except that of the relics of the palace of Chandragupta Maurya at Pataliputra, is mainly Asokan. It can be classified into Stupas, Pillars, Caves, Palaces and Pottery. Mauryan Stupas: The Stupas were solid domes constructed of brick or stone, varying in sizes. Ashoka built numerous stupas scattered over the country. But most of the stupas have not survived the ravages of time. The Ashokan stupas were constructed to celebrate the achievements of .

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The as a hemispherical dome, truncated near the top, surrounded at the base by lofty terrace to serve as gate for procession.

The special point of stupa architecture was the dome. Inside the stupa, in the central hall was preserved some relics of Buddha in a casket. The inner wall of the stupas was built either by terracotta bricks or by sun-burnt bricks. The top of the dome was decorated by a wooden or stone umbrella denoting universal supremacy of . There was a parikrama encircling the stupa.

One of the most notable and vast stupa was built at in Ceylon. The was built in the Lower Valley in 200 A.D. Besides there were Nagarjunakonda, Ghantasala stupas built in later ages in South India.

Amaravati Stupa

Mauryan Pillars: The most striking monuments of Mauryan art are the celebrated Pillars of Dharma. These pillars were free standing columns and were not used as supports to any structure. They had two main parts, the shaft and the capital. The shaft is monolith column made of one piece of stone with exquisite polish. The art of polishing was so marvelous that many people felt that it was made of metal. Some of the Pillars mark the stages of Asoka’s pilgrimage to various centers of Buddhism.

The Sarnath: The Sarnath column has the most magnificent capitol. It is a product of a developed type of art of which the world knew in the Third Century B.C. It has been fittingly adopted as the emblem of the Modem Indian Republic. It is seven feet in height. The lowest part of the capitol is curved as an inverted lotus and bell shaped. Above it are four animals, an , a horse, a bull, a lion representing the east, south, west and north in Vedic symbol. The four animals engraved on the abacus have been variously interpreted.

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Mauryan Caves Architecture: The pillars are not the only artistic achievements to Ashoka’s reign. The rock cut caves of Ashoka and that of his grandson Dasaratha Maurya constructed for the residence of monks are, wonderful specimens of art. The caves at Barabar hill in the north of Gaya and the Nagarjuni hill caves, the Sudama caves, etc. are the extant remains of cave architecture of the Mauryan era. The Barabar hill cave was donated by Asoka to Ajivika monks and the three separate caves at Nagarjuni hills were by Dasharatha to them. The Gopi cave was excavated in the reign of Dasaratha in a tunnel like fashion. The caves are chaste in style and their interior is polished like mirror. The pillars inside these caves appear to be superfluous. They perhaps are legacies of wooden architecture that preceded the stone or lithic architecture.

Barabar cave Mauryan Palaces and Residential buildings: The gilded pillars of the Mauryan palace were adorned with golden vines and silver birds. The workman-ship of the imperial palace was of very high standard. Fa- Hien remarked that “no human hands of this world could accomplish this.”

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Probably there were similar palaces in other cities. All towns were surrounded by the high walls with battlements and ditches with water, bearing lotuses and other plants and the whole was surrounded by railings.

Mauryan Pottery: The Mauryan pottery consisted of many types of wares. The black polished type found in is important. It has a burnished and glazed surface. The center of North Indian pottery manufacture is presumed to be and Pataliputra.

Caves and Rock cut Architecture The Cave architecture is divided into three phases

1. 2nd century B C to 2nd century A D – exclusively for Buddhism i.e. the symbols of worshipping Buddha. The characteristic features where two establishments (prayer hall) and Vihara(monastery where the monks were accomodated). 2. 5th century to 7th century – In this phase there was an elimination of timber. The chaitya was almost same as earlier but sometimes consists of large images of Buddha. Viharas were slightly changed, instead of the inner cells consisting of monks, now it occupied big status of Budha also. 3. 7th century to 10th century – Later the hindus and Jains extended the Buddhist architectural traditions but with slight modifications which suited their rituals.

It is believed that most of the caves excavated in India are during the reign of the Satavahana rulers. There are about 1200 caves excavated in India. Most of the caves are situated in Western Ghats since it had numerous rocks

Kanheri caves

 Situated at thane district , Maharashtra in Sanjay Gandhi NP.  Belong to Hinayana sect of budhists.  Image of Budha in the chaitya hall. 16

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 Chiseled out of massive basaltic rock outcropping  It was a university center by the time of Mauryan and Kushan Empire.  About 100 caves here.  Important feature is the flights of connecting steps and stone seats provided for the monks to rest on.

Jogeshwari Caves

 Situated in the Bombay Island  Belong to the last phase of Mahayana Sect  Brahmanical influence is seen where the shrines are isolated with multiple entrances

Montpezir or Mandapeswar Caves

 This is the only Brahmanical cave that is converted into a Christian church.  This still runs with an orphanage from the Portuguese influence.  This is built in the 8th century

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Karle, Baja and Bedsa Caves

Sun window of Karle caves

Karle Caves  Karle caves are situated at Banaghata hills near , Mumbai belonging to the Mahasangika sect of Budhism.  Main feature is the largest chaitya which is preserved in India and Sun window  The Sun window is so made for the diffusion of light, the soft rays of Sun falls on the stupa and screen.

Baja Caves  Bhaja caves consist of 22 rock cut caves which has view of the hall from the entrance dating back to 200 BC.  Situated near Maval, Lonavala, Maharashtra, at 400 ft above Bhaja village for Budhists of Hinayana Sect.  The pillars are sloping and the stupa is very plain.  The dancing couple is the most important feature of the Bhaja caves.  Famous for wooden architecture.

Badesha Caves.  The Badesha cave is situated near . It resembles the large chaitya of the Karle caves. 18

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 It consists of four pillars horses, bulls and elephants mounted by male and female riders.  Its main attraction is that the roof is supported by 26 octagonal pillars.

Ajanta and .

 Situated near Aurangabad near Maharashtra. Found accidently in 1829.  The Chalukyas and Rashtrakudas ruled over the deccan and the former gave redominant importance to Budhist architecture, whereas the latter’s period saw less importance to Budhism but the architectural marvel continued.  Out of the 29 caves excavated 4 are for and the rest are viharas.  They presence of both Hinayana and Mahayana is visible here. The first one being simpler and the second one being much decorative.  These caves are important for their Art, Architecture and painting.  The paintings mainly took inspirations from the stories of Budha from Jataka tales.  Cave 16 of Ajantha caves consist of the famous freco “The dying princess”.  The uniqueness of the Ellora caves is that the visitor can see three different architectural styles side by side that is 12 Budhists, 5 Jainism, 17 Brahmanical side by side  Cave no 10 is the only cave of Ellora which contains the Chaitya.  Cave 10 and 11 consists of more than one storeys. 19

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 There is a figure of inside the shrine (which shows the Brahmanical styles).

To be continued…….

Temple Styles The three main types of temple architecture in India are: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara

Nagara Style/Mayamatha/North Indian

In design/plan of a temple, several parts of Temple architecture are considered, most common amongst these are:

Jagati Jagati is a term used to refer a raised surface, platform or terrace upon which the temple is placed.

Antarala Antarala is a small antichamber or foyer between the garbhagriha/ garbha graha (shrine) and the mandapa, more typical of north Indian temples.

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Mandapa Mandapa (or Mandapam) is a term to refer to pillared outdoor hall or pavilion for public rituals.

 Ardha Mandapam — intermediary space between the temple exterior and the garba griha(sanctum sanctorum) or the other mandapas of the temple (connects the outer world and temple)  Asthana Mandapam — assembly hall  Kalyana Mandapam — dedicated to ritual marriage celebration of the Lord with Goddess  Maha Mandapam — (Maha=big) When there are several mandapas in the temple, it is the biggest and the tallest. It is used for conducting religious discourses.  Nandi Mandapam (or Nandi mandir) - In the Shiva temples, pavilion with a statue of the sacred bull Nandi, looking at the statue or the of Shiva.

Sreekovil or Garbhagriha Sreekovil or Garbhagriha the part in which the idol of the deity in a is installed i.e.Sanctum sanctorum. The area around is referred as to the Chuttampalam, which generally includes other deities and the main boundary wall of the temple. Typically there is also a Pradikshna area in the Sreekovil and one outside, where devotees can take Pradakshinas.

Śikhara or Vimanam Śikhara or vimanam literally means "mountain peak", refer to the rising tower over the sanctum sanctorum where the presiding deity is enshrined is the most prominent and visible part of a Hindu temples. The garbha griha will be always below the highest shikhara.

Amalaka An amalaka is a stone disk, often with ridges, that sits on a temple's main tower (Sikhara).

Gopuram Gopuras (or Gopurams) are the elaborate gateway-towers of south Indian temples, not to be confused with Shikharas.

Urushringa An urushringa is a subsidiary Sikhara, lower and narrower, tied against the main sikhara. Temples in Nagara Style are normally not walled.

Kandariya mahadeva Temple  It is the largest and most ornate hindu temple in India  Situated at Khajarao, MP.  Built in 1050 back to 1000 BC.  Its Shikara rise to 31m to depict the Kailash  It is a UNESCO world heritage center.  This can be demonstrated for marking all specifications of Nagara Style architecture.

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Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh

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 This is a Vishnu Temple situated at Deogarh, Jharkhand  Built by Guptas in 500 AD, because Gutas were mostly Vaishnavites.  Ananathashyanam is known as Sheshayana, this posture is also found here in the temple architecture

Panchayatana means the four subdieties revolving around the main diety

Lakshmana Temple, Khajarao

 This is one among the Khajarao grou of Temples situated at Khajarao, MP  Other than the tallest Shikara rest are known as Urishringa as seen in the picture

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Sun Temple, Modhera

 This temple is situated in Modhera, .  Built in 1026 AD by Bhimdev of Solanki Dynasty.  This temple is dedicated to Sun God  Here is a Suryakund something like an അമ്പലകുളം.

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Kamakya Temple, Assam

 The Temple is situated at Nilachel Hills, near Guwahati, Assam.  Temple is dedicated to mother goddess Kamakhya  Durapuja is an important festival hears which is celebrated during the Navarathri.  The architecture is similar to a Wagon Vault.

Wagon Vault – Temple architecture which is like a temple is drawn by two or three horses is known as a Wagon Vault Chamber.

Kalinga architecture (Eastern Temples of Odhisha)  is the land of Temples.  There are three types of temple architecture here, 1. Rekha 2. Pidha deula 3. Kakhara deula [Deula means temple in Odiya]  Rekha and pidha are associated with Vishnu, and Shiva Gods where as Kakhara deals with and Durga.  Rekha and Kakhara are sanctum sanctorum.

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They are distinguished by the vertical projections called Rathas and Pagas. Depending on the number of Pagas temples are classified into Triratha, Pancharatha, Saptharatha, Navaratha.

Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

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 This is a marvelous piece of kalinga architecture.  Built in 1250 by Narasimhadeva 1 of East dynasty.  “Kona” means corner “ark” means Sun, so the temple is dedicated to Sun God “Surya”.  This is actually built on a highly ornated chariot with 12 pair of wheels pulled by 8 horses.  It is situated on the bank of Chandrabhagha (Chandrabhaga is a combination of two streams Chandra and Bagha where river Chenab originates).

Jagannath Temple,

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 Situated in the coastal areas of Puri, Odisha.  Dedicated to the Jagannatha, Lord of the Universe.  Sacred for Vaishnava Traditions.  Very famous for the annual yathra.  Also famous for the Saint Ramananda.  Temple is one among the Chaardham.

Chaardham B Badrinath P Puri R Rameswaram D Dwaraka

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Muktheswara Temple

 Heavy ornation and interesting carvings.  Toranna like entrance (hanging door).  Situates at Bubhaneswar, Odisha

Lingaraja Temple

 This temple is an important part of Kalinga architecture. 30

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 Situated at Bhubaneshwar  Built in 1000 AD  It is a cluster of 65 smaller shrines.

Vesara Style of Architecture

Chalukya Style  These are examples of Vesara style of architecture  There are two styles o Dwikuta 饍വികൂട – These are temples with two shrines with common mandapa o Ekakuta എകകൂട – These are temples with one shrine and one mandapa  Small narrow closed mandapa leads to shrine  This originated in 450 AD in village of Badami and Pattadakkal in karanataka.  This is a blended style of Nagara and Dravida style of temple architecture

Pappanath Temple, Pattadakkal

 This is a 7th century temple.  This is the last temple in southern side adorned with a shikira

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Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakkal

 This is one among the Chalukya style in Pattadakkal

Lad khan Temple, Aihole

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 This is the oldest shiva temple.  The temple was converted into a residence of Ladkhan in the pre modern times and hence the name came to be.  This is built in the 5th century AD.

Durga Temple, Aihole

 Situated in Aihole.  One among Chalukyan architecture  No much importance

Hoysala Style Architecture

 This is a Vesara Style temple architecture  Most important point is the “star in the plan”.  There are numerous garbhagrihas and one mandapa. All the garbhagrihas in the temple gives the shape of a star.

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Somanathpur Temple

 Situated in ,  Built in 1268 AD by 3 of Hoysala Dynasty  Built using chloristic chist.  Vesara style architecture

Dravida Style Architecture  Most of the temple features are all the same.  Instead Shikhara here we say it Vimana. It is slope with flat top unlike the steep conical shape in Nagara style  Most of the temples are walled.  Famous styles are Pallava, Chola etc

Pallava Style  This is a transition period of rock cut temples from Stone temples  Most of the temples built in 610 – 690 AD  Most famous is the rock cut temple of Mahabalipuram Temple.

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Mahabalipuram Temple

 Temple is situated in Tamil nadu.  So many Rathas are found here.  Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Besides rathas there are sculptures of elephant, lion, nandi bull almost related to lord shiva  Temple rathas are named after the pandava brothers like dharmaraja, draupathi etc

Kailasanatha Temple

 Situated at Kanjipuram, Tamil nadu.  Dedicated to Lord Shiva.

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 One among the Pallava style architecture

Shore temple, Mahabalipuram

 Very important Pallava style because this is not a rock cut temple rather it is a 5 storyed structural temple.  60 ft high and 50 ft sq platform.  Built of finally cut local granite.  There are 3 shrines.  Two shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva and one for Lord Vishnu (which is an exception).  The two shiva shrines are orthogonal in combination

Chola Style

Brihadeshwara Temple, Tanjore

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 Very important and most famous in Chola style architecture.  Huge entrance for the temple.  Built in 11th century by the Chola king Raja 1.  Built of Granite blocks which are brought from 50 km away  The Vimana rises upto 60.9 m

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

 Beautiful architecture of Cholas.  Built by Kuleshekara pandya of Nayaka Dynasty.  Many interesting stories behind the diety and the temple.  The temple covers the whole town. The streets are like radiating from the temple like a lotus.  The streets are situated in concentric circles around the temple.  Number of concentric quandrangular enclosures contained by high mansionary walls  Four entrances facing four directions of the city  Vishwanatha Nayaka redesigned the City of Madurai  Spectacular hall of 1000 pillars (സംഗീത കച്ചേരിക쵍 നടക്കുന്ന സ്ഥലം).

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Medieval Indian Architecture The medieval Indian architecture can be classified into four types they are:-

1. Imperial Style 2. Provincial Style 3. Deccani Style 4. Mughal Style

Ingredients of Muslim Architecture  Most of the buildings had multiple pillars  Jama Masjid – The main mosque in a village

Tomb Cematoph Mausoleum

A grou of tombs It is a with garden or a commemeration commemeration but not the with group of exact place of tombs and a Exact place burial. Eg:- Taj garden Eg: of burial Mahal Humayuns Tomb  Dargah – Worship place of Sufi’s Eg:- Durgah of kwaja Mounideen Chisty at Ajmeer  Caraven Sarai – Resting place for travelers  Chajja – Inclined cover of a roof, common in  Dome – very common in almost all muslim architecture

Common in muslim architectures are Dome, Pillars and Chajja

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 Mihrab – It is a carving towards inside the wall

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 Muqaranas – many concepts on the ceiling (on top)

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 Corbel – Found in almost all Islamic architecture

Imperial Architecture  This is the kind of architecture found in and around Delhi

Qutab Complex  There are many building inside the Qutab Complex which are integral part of Imperial Style

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Quwwat-ul- Islam Mosque

 The great mosque of Delhi  First mosque of India (officially)  Built by Qutud-ud-din Aibak the founder of slave dynasty  The iron pillar mahrauli was erected by Chandragupta Vikramaditya which was later shifted

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Alai Darwaza

 This is the entrance to the qutab minar.  This was built based of Muslim architecture principles.  Built by Alauddin Khilji.  First Dome in India

QutabMinar

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 This is a victory tower of 72.5 m high in remembrance of Mohd Ghori’s victory over in the second battle of Tarain in 1192 AD  This is inspired from the Jam minaret of Afghanisthan  It is the tallest brick Minaret  Many versus of Quran is inscribed on it  It is a 15 m base and 2.5 m top  It is 5 distinct stored.

Alain Minar

 This is an incomplete minaret built by Alauddin Khilji.  He wanted to build a minaret taller than Qutab Minar.

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Sultan Ghari

 Sultan Ghari is the first mausoleum.  It is built in 1231 AD for the remembrance of Nazir-ud-din Mohd the eldest son of Iltukmish

Lodhi Gardens

 This is was the beginning of constructing monuments with gardens  It also saw the start of double and triple doms in the construction

Provincial Style Architecture These are monuments and architecture which are found outside the Delhi region. There are five Budhist maha viharas

1. Vikramshila University 2. University 3. Somapura University 4. Odantaura University 5. Jaggadala University

Somapura University  This is now in Bangladesh  UNESCO world heritage center

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 These are the best known Budhist Viharas

Nalanda University

 This was the most famous higher education center of those times.  Built during 5th CE to 1197 AD  It was supported by the Gupta kingdom or Harshavardhana who was a budhist king  It is built with red bricks which occupies 14 hec of land  This is was destroyed by the Turkish army under Baktiyar Khilji  It is believed due to the volume of books inside the university, even after days it was burnt fumes use to come from it  In 2006 a plan was proposed to restore the university  In 2007 the GoI constituted Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) headed by Amartya Sen for this purpose  This came in line with the East Asia Summit  It is situated in Bihar

Vikramshila University  It is the one of the two important Budhist study centers

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 It was built by Dharmapala of pala Dynasty for the supposed decline in the standards of Nalanda University  This is also situated in Nalanda, Bihar

Odantapura University  This is also situated in Bihar, built by Dharmapala  This is the second oldest Indian university

Jagaddala University  It is a Budhist monastery  Situated in the north Bengal  Built by the later kings of the pala dynasty

Pandua Style  This is an Indo – Islamic architectural style found in the Bengal region

Eklakhi Style

 This is a single dome prototype 47

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 Low cost construction.  No much ornation and wooden or carving works like Tomb of Jalaluddin Mohd Shah (fig)

Mandu Style (Provincial Style)  This is a very important Provincial Style  Also known as Mandavgat located in malwa in region of Western MP  Earlier it was known as Shdiabad – City of happiness named by Alauddin Khilji

Various architectures under Mandu

Jahaz Mahal

 The complete architecture resembles the shape of a ship  Situated between two rivers, built by Sultan Giyas-ud-din Khilji  This was served as a royal harem

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Hindola Mahal

 This is also known as Swing palace  Built by Hushang Shah in about 1425 AD  This was used as an audience chamber  It has sloping side walls

Hoshang Shah’s Tomb

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 Taj Mahal was inspired from this Afghan architecture.  This is the first white marble architecture in India.  Proportional Dome and partitioned court towers.

Jama Masjid in Mandu

This was inspired from the great mosque of Damascus

Love Story Of Roopmati and Baz Bahadur As part of their love story Baz Bahadur built 3 important buildings which comes under Mandu architecture. All where built by Baz Bahadur.

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Roopmati pavilion

 Large sandstone structure with observatory posts  Palace of Roopmati, originally built for army observation  Opposite to Baz Bahadur Palace

Rewa Kund

Reservoir constructed by Baz Bahadur for watter supply to Roopmati’s pavilion

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Palace of Baz Bahadur

 Built in 16th CE.  Built with large coutyards, large halls, high terraces  Opposite to Roopmati’s palace

Hanzi – i- Shamsi  Situated in outskirts of Delhi  Water reservoir built by Iltukmish of slave dynasty.

Deccani Style This is mainly contributes by the Bahmani kingdom. There is a great Iranian influence (Sassanian architecture). It can also be considered as Indo Persian architecture. The famous buildings under Deccani Styles are:-

Gulbarga Fort

 This is an Indo Iranian Style.  The Bahmani’s claimed they are the successors of Sassaniyans  Situated in Karnataka. Built in 1342 by Alauddin Bahmani 52

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Charminar, Hyderabad

 Situated in Hyderabad, built in 1591.  This is also like the Madurai meenakshi temple situated at the center of Hyderabad with 4 minarets of 56m high  This was constructed as a comemmeration to the plague eradication  Situated in the east bank of Musi river  The four pillars are within the building, an Indo Islamic architecture

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Golconda Fort

 Situated at Hyderabad  Known as the ruined city of south India  Famous of Diamond market  The only diamond mines in India and in world at that time  Gems, diamonds mined from Kolhur mines  Famous diamonds o Darya – ye – noor o Noor – ul – aine o Hope diamond o Wittelerback graft o Regent diamond o Prince diamond

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Chowmahalla Palace

 This is the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad  Official seat of Asaf jahi Dynasty  All ceremonial functiona are held here like coronation of the Kings, Nizams, receiving Governor General etc  There is an influence of European architecture

Falaknuma palace

 Situated 5 km from Charminar  Name means “like the sky/mirror of sky”  Built in the shape of the Scorpion

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Gol Gumbaz

 Located in Bijapur  Mausoleum of Adil Shah Sultan of Bijapur  Built in the Shape of Budding Rose  Completed in 1626

Mughal Style Built by the Mughal Rulers. Influence of Indo Islamic, Turkish, Arabic, Persian.

Kabuli bagh Mosque at panipat – Babar

Purana Quila, Delhi

 Foundation laid by Humayun, but completed by Sher Shah  Situated at Indraprastha, capital of Pandavas  Sixth city of Delhi, Shergharh

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Humayun’s Tomb

 This was commissioned by his wife Bega Begum  First garden tomb in Indian subcontinent  It is Mausoleum of many like Bega Begum, Hamida Begum, Humayun etc  First used of Red sand stone in large scale  UNESCO world heritage site  Indo Isalamic architecture

Fatehpur Sikri  This was built by Akbar  This is the first planed city of Mughals. Akbar shifted his capital temporary  He was keen devotee of Salim Chisti and he was living in Sikri near Agra  So he named the city Fatehpur Sikri means “city of victory”.  There are many buildings like courtyards, audience hall, treasury, kitchen, barracks, palaces etc inside Fatehur Sikri.  It’s a complex of many buildings they are

Diwan – I – Khass or Ibadat Khana

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 This was the place Akbar met selected people. Here four bridges radiated from center where Akbar sat in the center

Diwan – I – Aam

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This was the place where Akbar met common people

Pachisi Court

 This is a giant stone board for playing chawar (something like chess)  Akbar played the game with 200 – 300 slave girls live

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Buland Darwaza

 Known as the gate of magnificence  Means the “The great gate” in Persian.  Akbar built it to commemorate his victory over Gujarat

Jama Masjid  It has three mihrabs in this mosque

Salim Chisti Tomb

Dargah of Salim chisti

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Panch Mahal

This was built for different wives of Akbar. Situated in front of Pchisi court

Shalimar Garden, Srinagar

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 This is built by Jahangir at Srinagar, Jammu  This is most loved place of Jahangir

Red Fort

 Built by Shahjahan  Architect is Ustad Ahmad.

Taj Mahal

 Tajmahal is TAJ MAHAL (what else to say?)  One of the 7 wonders of the world.

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 Built by Shahjahan in remembrance of his wife Begum Mumtaz.  It took 22 years to complete this building.  It is a combination of Persian, Islamic and Indian Styles.  The architect is Ustad Ahamed Lahori.  99 names of Allah are inscribed in this wall.

Victorian Architecture Victorian architecture is broadly divided into two:-

1. Neo Classical 2. Neo Gothic

Roman Architecture

India Gate is an example of Roman architecture. The main feature is the Victorian arch which symbolizes the victory of the British in the First World War. This was built to commemorate the brave soldiers of First World War.

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Neo Classic Architecture

Bombay Secretariat is an example of Neo Classic architecture

 Wide use of elegant pillars is a feature.  Use of lots of geometric patterns.  Egs:- Elephantinstine circle,, Horniman circle etc

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Neo – Gothic

 Main feature is the pointed towers.  It can also be attributed to the Indo – Saracenic Architecture  These tyes of buildings are found in France and Russia.  Nearby example is the Napier museum at Trivandrum, .  This kind of architecture was also introduced by the British Raj

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Gateway of India

 Built to commemorate the landing of King George 5 and queen Mary in 1911  Indo – Saracenic architecture  This building was the first building seen by anyone entering India through the Bombay port.  This building was used for the ceremonial entrance of Viceroys and Governors of Bombay  Final Design by George Wittet.

Painting Man in India started painting in the upper Paleolithic period. First Painting was inside the caves were human settlements were also found.

Indian paintings are divided into two:-

1. Murals – Painting on the wall. 2. Miniature – Painting on perishable properties like paper, cloth etc.

Palas of Bengal were the pioneers of miniature painting

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Sadanga of Indian Painting  Rupabheda – knowledge of appearance  Pramanam – correct precision, measures and structure  Bhava – action of feeling and forms  Lavanya Yojana – influence in grace artistic representation  Sadrishyam – similitude  Varnikbhanga – artistic manner of using brush and colors

Mural Painting

Bhimbetka Painting, MP

 Over years it became a fusion of various cultures and traditions  When started it was a religious painting  Situated in Bhopal, MP.

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Jogimara and Bengra Caves

 This is a 2300 yr old performance stage or it is the oldest amphi theatre like the Greek Theatre.  Oldest known love message found here.  In Jharkhand

 Sita Bengra means “Residence of Sita”  Found in Chattisgarh  Here originated the devadasi system

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Ajantha frescoes/Caves

Frescoes are ainting done on wet plasters as colours become fixed as the plasters become dry

 Most famous is the dying princes  These caves are situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra  Great influence of Jainism and Buddhism  Most of the painting in the caves are frescoes  Most of them are for the Jathaka Tales, birth of Buddha etc  Depicts themes of court life, feasting, processions, men and women, various natural scenes including animal, birds, flowers etc  Now the pictures have degraded because of the flash photography  The pictures are smaller than the life size 69

Indian Culture

Ellora Caves

 These caves are found in Aurangabad, Maharashtra  Buddhist influence.  These are the largest monolithic caves excavates.  It is the largest rock cut monastery complex in the entire world  Various rock cut architectures are found here, which were built during the time of chalukyas and Rashtrakutas.

Bagha Caves

 Situated in Mandu, MP  It’s a group of 9 rock cut monuments  Inspiration from Buddhism  All of the caves were viharas and chaityas

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Sittanavasal

 It is situated in Pudukottai district of TN.  It is an example of Jain painting  It is also known as “Arivar Kovil”  The village was a Jain center.  It is 2nd century Jain Complex.

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Vijayanagara Painting

 This was a great revival of Hindu religion and in South Indian  Mysore and Tanjore painting took root from Vijayanagara Painting  It is from this painting that the human faces started originating  Virabhadra temple at Lepakshi is an example of this  Painting in the roof of Mandapas started seeing in this type of painting  Most importantly in this type of painting the human characters have a slight slanding.

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Miniature Painting

Jaina Painting

 Main features of jaina painting it gives much emphasis to styles  Strong pure colors, Stylish figures of Women, heavy gold outlines, dimination of dress to angular segments, elongated eyes, and square hands.  This has influenced the Mughal and Rajasthani paintings

Malwa painting

 This type of painting is seen in parts of Central India (MP, Rajastan)  Black and chocolate brown background, solid color path like clear distinction between colours, no fusing of colors, lively colors and has a primitive charm and childish appearance.

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Mughal painting

 Mughal Painting is a combination of Indo – Persian – Arabic painting  Wide colors are used. Most of the themes revolve around love, court scenes, war, wildlife, receptions, and legendary stories and so on.  Most of the characters are depicted in side angle in most of the pictures  Humayum started it; he brought Mir Sayyid Ali, Abd-ul-samad.

Under Akbar  There was a large scale of growth  He brought two Persian artists  He introduced based on epics like , Mahabharatha and Persian epics

Under Jahangir  There was a great refinement in the brush works  Used light and subdued colors  Pictures were mostly based on his own life, his portraits, birds, flowers, animals etc  He also included illustrations of Jahangirnama (biography of himself)

Under Shah Jahan  Coldness and rigidity in paintings  Paintings were of parties, terraces, gardens there was some kind of ramancicity in paintings during his reign

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Under Aurangazeb  He was not interested in painting.  Mughal painting started deteriorating from his time onwards

Rajput painting

 There was a strong Mughal influence in Rajput paintings  They used distinct styles  The colors used were natural like from plants, minerals, stones, gold, silver etc  Most of their pictures had the characters from Ramayana, Mahabharatha, life of Krishna, landscapes and humans  This originated in Rajasthan in 16th and 17th CE.  There are various schools of Rajput painting which are discussed below

Amber and Jaipur  Mughal Influence (Common in all the below schools)  Life of Krishna

Bikaner  Deccan paintings

Bundi  Found in the bundelkhand region  Themes of Court scenes, lovers, girls, lives of nobles  Wall paintings are also important in the this school

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Kota

 The painting looks very natural  Main themes are hunting, worships, darbars.  It’s a calligraphic execution

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Kisahnagarh

 This school has a Mughal and a regional style.  The paintings depicts around Krishna and Radha  It is also known as bani Thali painting 77

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Malwa

Marwar

 This is a Ragamala painting in pali  Most of the themes are darbar scenes and nobles on horses  This also has a Mughal influence

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Mewar

 This is the only school in Rajput painting which doesn’t have a Mughal influence  It is more similar to charupanchaschitra style  Bright colours are used here  This is a conservative style and has a regional influence

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Madhupani/Maithilli Painting

 This painting was originated in Maithali village in Bihar  This drawn by women in their walls about their thoughts and dreams  Then gradually it became art of functions are a decorative item  Then it changed it form from wall painting to cloth, handmade, paper and canvas  They make use of 3D images and colors from plants  The themes revolves around mythological events from the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha etc  Another important point in this type of painting they simple add extra pictures into the blank spaces in the picture like of plants, flowers, animals, geometrical designs and so on.

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Pahari Painting

 As the artists lost their patronage after Aurangezeb they started moving towards other parts like to the Himalayan region and Rajput region  So since the paintings originated from here also has Mughal influence (Pahari means mountains)  But they are unique in their hair style, dressing and pigmentation. They use the colors Blue, White, Grey extensively in their pictures  During the time of Bakhti movement Pahari and Rajput were interlinked  Main Themes are revolving around Mythological characters.  There are some schools of painting

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Guler School

Chamba School

Garwal School

Bashohli School  These are found in places of J& K  This was first pahari shool of art  They are dynamic and indegeneous  They are stylish, rich and exceptional  There is a wide use of primary colors and unusual facial formula  They are a precursor to Kangra school of art

Kangra School

 This school was named after a place in HP  This started prevailing after the decline of Bashohli School  Their crucial theme is Srinagar  They exhibit night scenes, thunders and storms  They creepers, blossom of flowers, brooks, rivulets, leaves 82

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 The colors are made of plants and vegetable extracts  They use fresh and cool colors  Themes revolve around life story of Krishna and Radha  Bakthi movement was a driving force for the expansion of this school

Tanjore Painting

 Main feature of Tanjore aintings are they are highly orante  The characters in the picture have a round face  They are very compact like portraits  Green and Red are normally used as background colors  Other background colors like yellow for goddess, white for Nataraja and blue for Vishnu  They are patronaged under Cholas  They have originated from tanjore in TN during 1600 AD at temles of Brihadeswara  They are very similar to Mysore Painting  Another feature is the gold foil, Rubi stones and precious stones used in the wooden panel. Today it is replaced with precious stones and glass.  The painting is portrayed over wooden plank with wooden panel whereas it is not in Mysore painting  They painting are done on cloth and are mounted over wooden panel

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Mysore Painting

 Originated in Mysore, Karnataka  They are known for their elegancy and intricate complexity and attention to details  This dates back to Ajanta times and have roots in vijayanagara times  The picture is embodied in 24 carat gold plate  Themes are Hindu Gods and .

Difference between Tanjore and Mysore Painting

Mysore Tanjore Intricate, Complex Highly Ornated More vibrant and lively color Colors are discrete schemes

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Detailed Painting and no Gems or Precious Gems and Stones used Stones Used Gold coated Silver wafer used to highlight 24k Gold Used ornaments Themes aremostly Themes aremostly Vedic themes Vedic themes Great affinity to fashinable icons of Most are Gods the day like from Hindu Ganapathi, Mythology Done on Cloth mounted over Done on paper wood

Pattachitra Painting

 Traditional Scroll painting in Odisha  It is also a family painting, where all family is his studio  Artists are known are chitrakars  Simple themes like from Hindu Mythology  They are as old as 1000 yrs 85

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 Colors are natural and are in traditional way of painting

Patua Painting

 Originated in West Bengal  These are narrational kind of painting like the whole story is painted in scroll  Narrates the historical and mythological stories with background music  This is a traditional way of painting  Typically the length of the canvas is 8 to 15m

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Kalighat Painting

 Developed in Bengal in the vicinity of Kalighat Kali Temple  They are secular portraits, but mainly the favorite character is Kali.  It is blend of Oriental (Indian) and Occidental (western).  They also depict the freedom struggle and personalities like bhai, Tippu etc.

Paitkar Painting

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 These are found in Bengal and Jharkhand  They have direct correlation with the rock architecture  Style is robust sensuality  Social issues are also depicted in this painting from religion

Kohvar and Sohari Painting

 This art is mainly found in Jharkhand, Hazaribagh  This is a painting usually done by women at the walls of their house.  Sohari means wildlife and nature (So the above picture shows a Sohari painting) and Kohvar means it is a symbolic representation to welcome the bride groom to the house  This painting is done as a decorative item in their houses by the tribal women at the ceremony of marriages  This is a hit art in the Roman art fraternity

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Thangka Painting

 It is a part of Tibetan art form  Tangka in Tibetan means “recorded message”  It is considered as a medium to explain the Buddhist philosophy  In some special occasions the Lama comes out and explains the meaning of the painting.  It is a very huge painting that the people gather around the picture to hear to the lama.

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Kalamkari Painting

 This is a hand painted or block pointed in textiles  This is of two types o Srikalahash – This type it is always hand woven and Pen is used for free hand drawing. Originated in AP, normally depicts the images of Spider, Snake, Elephant etc. o Machalipattanam – This type of painting originated in Krishna district of AP. This evolved with the patronage of Mughals and Golconda rulers  It is used as scrolls and hangings in Temples

Warli Painting

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 This kind of painting is found in Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat  This is completely indigenous to the tribal people who still speak unwritten warli language  They believe in their own customs , traditions and beliefs  The painting dates back to 2500 to 3000 BC with much similarity to the mural paintings found in the Bhimbetka Caves  They use very graphic vocabulary like circles, triangles or squares  Circle depict Sun, Moon; Triangle depict mountain, tree; Square depict piece of land, human invention etc.

Dance forms

Tribhanga

 This is most sensus posture in the odishi classical dance  Literal meaning is three bends 1.Neck 2.Waist 3.Knee  Lord Krishna is usually depicted in this posture  Odishi is characterized by various bhangas which involves stamping of foot and other various postures which are seen in the indian sculptures  There are four bhangas o Bhanga o Abhanga o Adibhanga o Tribhanga which is the commonest 91

Indian Culture

Nataraja

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Indian Culture

 Shiva the King of dance, cosmic dancer  According to the Hindu mythology shiva dances (the thandawa) for the destroying the weary universe and make preparations for lord to start creation  He is facilitator for the creation of universe in that way  Depicted Shiva in the Chola bronze sculptures in Chidambaram  He is also known as “Sabeshan” the lord who dances on the dance.  This is found in the Thillai Nataraja temple at Chidambaram.

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