UNDERSTANDING

INDIA
TRADITIONAL ART
FORMS
BY;- B.A B.ED
GAGANAJIT SINGH

SIMANCHALA SARAB

SHINE SINGH

CHERRY AGGARWAL
ART IN CULTURE
THE TERM ART HAS A BROAD SENSE THAT MAY
SOMETIMES BE CONFUSING AS IT EMBRACES SO MANY
AREAS OF HUMAN ENDEAVOUR.IT IS NO WONDER THAT
A COMMON CLICHÉ OF PEOPLE ABOUT ART IS THAT
‘ART IS LIFE’.THIS IMPLIES THAT ART IS IN
EVERYTHING FOR.E.G ;-ART IS SEEN IN THE WAY
PEOPLE DANCE,DRESS,CULTIVATE AND LEARN.IT IS
INDEED DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE ART FROM
CULTURE,AS THEY CONFLATE.
 TRADITIONAL ART FORMS

TRADITIONAL ART IS AN ART THAT IS A PART OF A CERTAIN

GROUP OF CULTURE OF A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE PASSED DOWN THROUGH
GENERATIONS FROM MASTERS TO
APPRENTICES.TRADITIONAL ART FORMS PROVIDES A SHARE
EXPERIENCE FOR THE COMMUNITY VALUES AND BELIEFS
SYSTEMS THAT ARE EMBEDDED IN THESE ART FORMS AND
PASSSED DOWN TO GENERATIONS. INDIA IS A HOME TO SO
MANY TRADITIONAL FOLK AND TRIBAL ARTS,THESE ARE
CONTINUIN FROM OVER 3000 YEARS.
 INDIA AND TRADITIONAL
ARTS
INDIA IS A COUNTRY WITH RICH HERITAGE OF
GREAT ANCIENT TRADITIONS.THIS COUNTRY
EVEN THOUGH PRINCIPALLY HAS THE BASE OF
SPIRITUALITY.THE RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION IS
GIVEN EQUAL IMPORTANCE FROM THE VEDIC
PERIOD TILL TODAY.EFFORTS ARE
CONSISTENTLY BEING PUT TO NOURISH THE
ANCIENT TRADITIONS AND CULTURES OF
INDIA.EXAMPLES ARE;- ANCIENT TRADITIONAL
PAINTINGS AND ARTS
HOW THESE FORMS HAVE
EVOLVED OVER THE TIME
WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF
HUMANITY THROUGH ART.THE
IMPORTANCE OF PAINTING IS DUE TO THE
FACT THAT THESE ARE AS OLD AS THE
HISTORY OF MANKIND SINCE THE CAVE
PAINTINGS MADE BY THE PRIMITIVE
PEOPLE,WHERE MAN TRIES TO EXPRESS
HIS BELIEFS,HIS ACTIVITIES,HIS DAILY
LIFE AND THE WAY HE SEES THE WORLD
AROUND HIM.
One of the most notable aspects of traditional Indian art
forms is their diversity. India is home to a wide range of
artistic styles and practices, including music, dance,
theater, painting, sculpture, and more. These art forms
vary widely in terms of their style, themes, and cultural
context.

OVER TIME, TRADITIONAL INDIAN ART

FORMS HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY A
VARIETY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING
CHANGES IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL
STRUCTURES, GLOBALIZATION, AND
MODERNIZATION. MANY ARTISTS AND
PERFORMERS HAVE SOUGHT TO PRESERVE
TRADITIONAL ART FORMS WHILE ALSO
INCORPORATING CONTEMPORARY
ELEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS.
Today, Traditional Indian art forms continue
to play an important role in Indian culture.
They are celebrated at festivals and events
throughout the country, and are also
showcased in museums, galleries, and other
cultural institutions. Many artists and
performers have found ways to adapt
traditional art forms to contemporary
contexts, while also using them to explore new
ideas and themes.
 PAINTING THAT REMAIN
UNTOUCHED BY
MODERNISATION ;-

GOND PAINTINGS CAN TRACE THEIR

ROOTS TO THE PRE-ARYAN AGE AND
DEPICT ELEMENTS OF NATURE SUCH
AS RIVERS,STREAMS,HILLS ETC.
Indian traditional art forms have been rich in Symbolism,Gods,
depicting Cosmology(science of origins and development of universe)

Madhubani and Patachitra paintings can be found in the tales of Goddess

Durga and Kali and Lord Krishna.

Bronze (prepared by mixing copper and tin) by Harappan people,that has a very
deep impact on today’s metalwork.
 MINIATURE FOLK
CAVE
PAININGS PAINTINGS
PAINTINGS

Ajanta cave Paintings Madhubani

paintings,Ellora in areas of paintings of
cave paintings Eastern India, Bihar,Kalighat
and Bagh cave areas of Deccan, paintings of
paintings . Rajasthan and Kolkata,Patachitr
Pahari school a paintings of
paintings. Odisha.
 Fun facts ;-
1. KUSHANAS WERE THE FIRST RULERS WHO
MINTED GOLD COINS FOR THE FIRST TIME,BUT THE
GOLD COINS MINTED BY MAURYAS WERE QUITE
FAMOUS BECAUSE THEY HAVE USED GOOD
QUALITY OF GOLD AS COMPARED TO KUSHANAS.
2. THE FIRST CAVE/ROCK PAINTINGS WERE FOUND IN
BHIMBETKA,MADHYA PRADESH.
 Some more information from
TRADITIONAL ART FORMS
EXAMPLES:-
1. SCULPTURE;- ASHOKAN PILLARS,AJANTA INSCRIPTIONS,MUGHAL
PAINTINGS,GAUTAMA BUDDHA STATUE,SARNATH AND ELLORA
CAVES,BRONZE SCULPTURES OF GUPTAS,CHOLAS INSCRIPTIONS.

2. ARCHITECTURE;- TOWN PLANNING SYSTEM,HARRAPAN DRAINAGE

SYSTEM (THE GREAT BATH).

3. POTTERY;-HARAPPAN PEOPLE USED TERRACOTTA (BURNT

CLAY),CLAY FOR POTTERY .
WHY THE STUDY OF ART AND
CRAFT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED
IN EDUCATION ?
ART IS MORE FOCUSED ON USING TOOLS AND MATERIALS TO
EXPRESS AN EMOTION OR IDEA.
CRAFT IS SOMETHING MORE FOCUSED ON USING TOOLS AND
MATERIALS TO TREAT A SPECIFIC TANGIBLE OBJECT OR PRODUCT.
Let’s discuss some of the reasons why arts education is important:

1. Creativity
Art enhances creativity, which in turn fosters problem-solving skills. By participating
in arts and learning activities, children develop confidence in their abilities and learn
new things.
Arts also promote risk-free exploration, and it is this freedom that inspires
confidence. It allows children to see things from their viewpoint.

2. Improve academic performance

Students who study arts show improved language, reading, and math skills, as well as
a greater ability for higher-order thinking skills such as analysis and
problem-solving. Students also develop skills such as resilience, courage, and an
improved mindset to help them learn professionally

3. Self reliance
Students become self-reliant when they start depending on their own strengths,
knowledge, skills, and resources rather than the strength of others. Creating art can
confirm one’s uniqueness while also providing a sense of accomplishment and
self-esteem.
4. Teamwork
A unique approach to teaching teamwork and communication skill is the use of
visual, and performing arts. Larger the creative team, more valuable the art
project is for open-minded people who are willing to learn, expand, integrate,
and succeed.

5. Decision making
Art education is how children can be encouraged to choose their own
subjects, colors, and interpretations of art. This allows children to make
their own decisions in various areas of life.

6. Leadership skills
When children are encouraged to make their own decisions, they begin
to understand that they can update and interpret the world around them.
These skills will make the child a leader rather than a follower.
 CONCLUSION

SO,ART AND CRAFT IN EDUCATION FOSTER

CREATIVITY,CRITICAL THINKING AND
PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS,ENCOURAGES
SELF EXPRESSION,BOOST THE MORALE AND
CONFIDENCE AND PROVIDE A WELL
ROUNDED APPROACH TO LEARNING.
 TRADITIONAL ART VS DIGITAL ART

⚫ Traditional art is ⚫ Digital art can be

handmade and reproduced and shared
one-of-a-kind . instantly.
⚫ This might not be as ⚫ Digital Art is relatively
cheaper as digital art but cheaper as compared to
this has played a Traditional Art.
significant role in ⚫ Changes can easily be
shaping the society. made in the digital art
⚫ One can’t change the forms.
traditional art forms
easily.
Some examples of

TRADITIONAL ART FORMS are ;-

(To be explained in details)
•Pottery
•Drawing
•Metalwork
•Weaving
•Jewellery
•Textile
•Sculpture
•Architecture
•Music
•Theatre
•Literature
 Traditional Art forms from
various regions of India

SOME EXAMPLES ARE ;-

•BIHAR - MADHUBANI
•HARYANA – SCULPTURE
•GOA -FOLK PAINTING
•HIMACHAL PRADESH - KANGRA PAINTING
•MAHARASHTRA - WARLI PAINTING
•MANIPUR -BLOCK PAINTING
•PUNJAB - MUD WORK
 DOES ART CHANGE THE
WORLD WE LIVE IN ?

Art has no rules; it is self-expressive and creative. In this way, the

artwork gives a voice to those who create it. Whether designing in a
traditional sense or working with alternative materials, art can be
viewed as a representation of self and storyteller for places yet to be
discovered.
Art has the power to change the way we see the world, awakening us
to new perspectives, ideas, and values. It can take us back in time to
reflect on our past or push us further into our future.
 ……

ART CAN BRING AWARENESS TO SOCIAL ISSUES AND FOSTER A

SENSE OF ACCEPTANCE — BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND. ART IS NOT ONLY A FORM OF
EXPRESSION BUT ALSO AN INVITATION TO PROBLEM-SOLVE AND
GROW WITHIN OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WHETHER
CREATING OR EXPERIENCING IT, ART PROVIDES UNIQUE WAYS FOR
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW WHILE INSPIRING
CITIZENS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CHANGE.
ULTIMATELY, ART HELPS SHAPE OUR SOCIETIES BY PROVIDING
PLATFORMS FOR CREATIVITY AND SOLIDARITY TO THRIVE.
 Example of it;-
TO MANY PEOPLE’S SURPRISE, ARTWORK DOESN’T
JUST EXIST FOR AESTHETICS OR BEAUTY, BUT ALSO
HAS A MUCH DEEPER PURPOSE. IT CAN ACTUALLY
CHANGE THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. FOR EXAMPLE,
THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT WAS CREATED AS AN
EXPRESSION OF BOTH GRIEF AND DEFIANCE WITH
REGARD TO HIV/AIDS. IT IS A POWERFUL
REMINDER OF THE COURAGE AND DETERMINATION
OF ITS CREATORS WHO USED THIS ART FORM TO
NOT ONLY MEMORIALIZE VICTIMS OF THE DISEASE
BUT ALSO RAISE AWARENESS AROUND IT.
ULTIMATELY, THIS ARTWORK INSPIRED ACTION
THAT LED TO CHANGES IN PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY,
INCLUDING IMPROVED ACCESS TO TESTING AND
TREATMENT — SOMETHING THAT UNDOUBTEDLY
CHANGED THE WORLD WE LIVE IN OVER TIME.
 FOLK ART
FOLK ART CAN BE A POWERFUL VISUAL AND
NON-VERBAL TOOL FOR COMMUNICATING
COMPLEX SCIENTIFIC IDEAS.
GENERALLY, FOLK ART IS ART THAT: MAY BE
DECORATIVE OR UTILITARIAN. MAY BE USED
EVERY DAY OR RESERVED FOR HIGH
CEREMONIES. IS HANDMADE; IT MAY INCLUDE
HANDMADE ELEMENTS, AS WELL AS NEW,
SYNTHETIC, OR RECYCLED COMPONENTS.
 Tribal Art
TRIBAL ART IS OFTEN CEREMONIAL OR
RELIGIOUS IN NATURE. TYPICALLY
ORIGINATING IN RURAL AREAS, TRIBAL
ART REFERS TO THE SUBJECT AND
CRAFTSMANSHIP OF ARTIFACTS FROM
TRIBAL CULTURES.
 How does society affects
Traditional Art & vice a versa?

EACH CULTURE HAS IDEAS AND CUSTOMS THAT THEY

VALUE. ARTISTS ARE A PRODUCT OF THE CULTURE AND
SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY GREW; AND AS SUCH, THEY ARE
INFLUENCED BY THE CUSTOMS AND NORMS OF THEIR
SOCIETY. OFTEN, THEIR ARTWORK REFLECTS UPON AND
UPHOLDS THE OBJECTS, IDEAS, AND CUSTOMS THAT THAT
SOCIETY VALUES.
ART CAN SERVE AS A MEANS OF
SELF-EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION,
AS WELL AS A WAY TO DOCUMENT AND
PRESERVE CULTURAL HERITAGE. CULTURE,
IN TURN, PROVIDES A SENSE OF IDENTITY
AND COMMUNITY, AND HELPS INDIVIDUALS
UNDERSTAND THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD
AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS.
 What is the need of Preserving
TRADITIONAL ART FORMS ??

ART CONNECTS PEOPLE, FAMILIARISES US WITH OUR

HERITAGE, AND DRIVES MEANING INTO OUR LIVES, WHICH
IS WHY THE QUOTE “ART IMITATES LIFE” IS RELEVANT EVEN
TODAY. SAFEGUARDING TRADITIONAL INDIAN ART IS NOT
ONLY THE PRESERVATION OF THE COUNTRY’S HISTORY BUT
ALSO SERVES AS A REMINDER OF OUR ROOTS.
CONSERVATION OF THE ARTISTIC HERITAGE OF INDIA IS AN
INTEGRAL PART THAT HELPS MAINTAIN THE COUNTRY’S
IDENTITY AND PRIDE.
THANK YOU

CREATED BY ;- GAGANAJIT SINGH

(B.A B.ED).