indian art is said to be the art form

that holds most traditions and oldest

history among all the art forms in
the world. The aspect of art in India
is said to be highly realistic.

THE ART OF INDIA

Portrait of Akbar the Great

Late16th century
Manohar. Worked in late 16th century
Watercolour and gouache. 29.2 õ 14.5cm

This portrait represents the Mughal Padishah Akbar the

Great (reigned 1556-1605). Created by Manohar, a
renowned artist of the Mughal school, the work is
remarkable for its exquisite linear drawing, meticulous
treatment of details and subtle combination of warm
tones.
 ART OF INDIA
The Indian period is unique in its art, literature and
architecture.
Indian art is constantly challenged as it rises to the
peak of achieving the ideals of one philosophy in a
visual form, then begins a new for another.
This challenge and revolution in thought provides
Indian artists with reasons for innovation and creation,
and the process of visualizing abstract ideas and the
culture of the land.
 ART OF INDIA
Each religion and philosophical system provided its
own tones, vast metaphors and similes, rich
associations, wild imaginations, humanization of gods
and celestial beings, characterization of people, the
single purpose, and the ideal of life to be interpreted in
art.
What has Influenced Indian Art?
 Architecture and rock cut art was an important
step taken for the progress of Indian art, initiated
by the Buddhists and inspired Jains and Hindus
who built similar kind of structures like Ajanta,
Elephanta, Elora, Badami.
JAIN- Darma, meaning is a religion and philosophy
JAINISM-is an Indian religion that prescribes a
path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its
philosophy and practice emphasize the
necessity of self-effort to to move the soul
towards divine consciousness and liberation.
AJANTA CAVES
What has Influenced Indian Art?
Visual art form painting started with rock
Painting at Stone Age.
Mohenjo-Daro
The first proof of India’s artwork
be found in the artistic work
and civilization of Mehenjo-Daro.
This was found in the Indus
Valley in 2500 BCE. This site\
reveals the ruins of carefully
planned city that thrived about
4500 years ago.
 Influence of Buddhism
One of the biggest influences in India’s art is
Buddhism. The teachings of Buddha, an Indian
prince can be seen in the creative art of the country.
One of the teachings of the Buddha is about
happiness and how to be free from sin if one can
learn to suppress all his desires. Many artists,
painters and sculptors made the image of Buddha.
Peace in the of the image of Buddha is noticeable.
 About Buddhism
One of the basic beliefs of Buddhism is the conviction that
happiness and good fortune are attainable to all, regardless
of age, race or background. Buddhists believe that all
negative mental states or "delusions" as they are referred
to, can be overcome through the practice of meditation. By
learning how to meditate, humans can develop peaceful
and positive mental states or "virtues", and be able to solve
the problems associated with their daily lives.
Reincarnation
Reincarnation is another essential component of Buddhism.
Buddhists believe that humans are reborn after dying, and
adhere to the notion that most humans go through many
cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth. These cycles will end
when the attachment to desire and the self is released.
Once this is accomplished, a state of liberation and freedom
from suffering is achieved. This is the state of Nirvana and
the desired destination for believers of the Buddhist faith.
 Art of India
Art in India is sacred and holy. To them art is one way of
expressing the message of religion. The theme of the
statue of Shiva, who is god, is a sacred way of
presenting the religious message. But the uniqueness
of an opposite presentation can be seen in the physical
appearance of the body of the god of Shiva. The legs
and thigh are physically enticing (highly attractive and
be able to arouse hope and desire). In this manner,
physical and spiritual characteristics of Shiva are
combined in this figure
Why does the buddha have a bump on
his head? Is it hairstyles? What would
pull his ear lobes down?

The Buddha was born a prince in India. He wore

big, heavy gold earrings, which showed others his
wealth and power. These heavy earrings
stretched out his ears. He taught that suffering
and pain come from wanting things. To make
suffering stop, he worked hard to give up things,
and wanting things. He gave up his riches, took
off
his fine clothes and earrings. That is why his
earlobes are long but empty. The bump is to show
that he learned to be free from suffering, that he is
wise. The word Buddha means a person who is
awakened (or enlightened).
Why are his eyes half open?
His eyes are looking
down, half closed as if he is
sleeping, because he is
meditating (looking inward). The
artist wanted to show how calm
and quiet the Buddha is,
because he has given up his
desires for a lot of things.
Buddhist Sculpture
Pillars are built with a lotus-
shape top bearing the figure of
lion, a symbol of Imperial rule.
Many pillars were built with
Buddhist symbols such as the
elephant, the bull, and the
lotus. The lion represented
Buddha, the lotus represent
divinity.
Influence of Hinduism
This is the first religion in India.
Shiva is one of the gods of India as lord
of the dance. In many pictures and
images of Shiva, you will see drum in
one hand, a symbol of creation, and fire,
a symbol of destruction. You will also
notice that the two symbols are opposite
in meaning.
 About Hinduism
 The three-in-one god known as “Brahman,” which
is composed of: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu
(the Preserver), and Shiva (the Destroyer).
 The Caste System.
 Karma. The law that good begets good, and bad
begets bad. Every action, thought, or decision
one makes has consequences – good or bad –
that will return to each person in the present life,
or in one yet to come.
CASTE SYSTEM -According to Hindu teaching, there are four
basic castes, or social classes. Each caste has its own rules and
obligation for living.

 The elite caste is the Brahman, or priest caste.

 Second are the Kshatriyas, or warriors and rulers.
 Third are the Vaisyas, or merchants and farmers.
 Fourth caste is the Shudras, or laborers.
 Outside the caste system are the untouchables. The
untouchables are the outcasts of Hindu society. Though
outlawed in India in the 1940s, the untouchables are still a
very real part of Indian society. One does not get decide
his or her caste – that matter is decided when one is born
into a particular caste.
 About Hinduism
 Reincarnation. Also known as “transmigration of souls,”
or “samsara.” This is a journey on the “circle of life,”
where each person experiences as series of physical
births, deaths, and rebirths. With good karma, a person
can be reborn into a higher caste, or even to godhood.
Bad karma can relegate one to a lower caste, or even
to life as an animal in their next life.
 Nirvana. This is the goal of the Hindu. Nirvana is the
release of the soul from the seemingly endless cycle of
rebirths.
Hindu sculpture

Small images Hindu gods were

carved on stones. Some gods
were given many heads or arms,
and were always carrying certain
emblems (is a pictorial image,\
abstract or representational, that
epitomizes a concept) It was
believed that the spirit of a temple
god could be transferred to the
statue when carried in a procession.
Hindu Paintings
Walls were with carved and painted images.
Figures were painted realistically and firmly outlined.
Color is used for shading.
 In Mogul Dynasty, The subjects were about myths
or histories of kings. Akbar, one of the famous Mogul
rulers, encouraged the painters to paint subjects
around them.
When British took control over India, South Indian
artist, Ravi Varana, made a large oil painting of
Hindu gods in the style of British portrait painting.
 Hindu Architecture
Hindu temple was not intended to accommodate
worshippers but was meant to be viewed from the
outside. Temple were used as altars, a residence
of gods, or a shelter for people who would worship
for enlightenment. Many temples were built in
Northern India and the most outstanding is the
Hindu temple in Khanjuraho in central India.
 Hindu Architecture
In Southern India, temples were built like palaces
which were surrounded by high walls and tall
gateways. The Islam faithful put up structures called
mosque where they could gather for prayer. Most of
these mosques have open courtyard surrounded by
a covered hallway. Taj Mahal is one of the famopus
Indo-Islamic architecture built in the 1600’s by Shah
Jaham, a Mogul emperor, as a tomb for his wife. It is
made of marble.
TAJ MAHAL
BAHAI, Houses of Worship, including the
Lotus Temple
KONARK, temple architecture, and one of the
most stunning monuments of religiou
Khajuraho

Khajuraho is a famous
tourist and archaeological
site known for its sculptured
temples dedicated to Shiva,
Vishnu and Jain. Khajuraho
has the largest group of
medieval Hindu and Jain
temples. famous for their
erotic sculptures.
 What are the Elements used in
Indian Art?
The symbols for the five elements of nature are as
follows:
2. Earth: Square
3. Water: Circle
4. Fire: Triangle
5. Air: Half Moon (Ardha Chandra)
6. Sky: Shape of a Droplet
How Is contemporary Indian Art
Characterized?

It has been said that art changes

dimensions according to eras. The
modernity and tradition have been
merged effortlessly in numerous
artworks. The coexistence of different
period has put Indian art on a high
pedestal.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM
OF ARTWORK

 COLLAGE
An image created by
gluing materials such
as paper scraps,
photographs and cloth
to a flat surface.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM
OF ARTWORK

 COMIC STRIP
It is a visual planning
device sketching out a
sequence of frames
for comic strip. film,
and video.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM
OF ARTWORK

 RANGOLI
is a traditional decorative folk
art from India. These are
decorative designs made on
floors of living rooms and
courtyards during Hindu
festivals and are meant as
sacred welcoming areas for
the Hindu deities.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM
OF ARTWORK

 FRESCO
A historical painting
technique in which pigment
is applied to wet plasters.
Any of several related mural
painting types, executed on
plaster on walls or ceilings.
FRESCO SAMPLES
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM
OF ARTWORK

 MOSAIC
A picture composed of
many small, separate
pieces of materials such as
clays, glass, marble, and
paper which are fastened
to a background.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM
OF ARTWORK

 SKETCH
An image-development strategy; a preliminary drawing.