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Indian Art and Culture

E-book for CSAT and IAS Mains
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Puppet forms
Painting Styles
Dance forms
Classical
Folk
Tribal
Theater forms
Music
Indian Architecture
Indian Literature
Religions
INDEX
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Also known as Mithila painting.
Originated in Madhubani village in Bihar.
According to mythology, this tradition commenced
when Janakraj, father of rani sita asked his painters to
paint the moments of marriage ceremony of Sita with
Lord Rama.
Traditionally done by Madhubanis women on mud
walls, later started on cloth, canvas and handmade
papers.
Also depict other Hindu devotional stories.
Natural objects like moon, sun, tulsi etc is also found as
theme.
No empty space is left, gaps are filled by different
geometrical motifs, floral, animals, and bird pictures.
Are of three kinds : Brahmin style, Tatoo style and
Kshatriya style.
Done with twigs, brushes, fingers, matchsticks, and nib
pens using natural dyes and colors.
Eye-catching geometrical patters.
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Painting styles in India
Madhubani
Bharatanatyam
Bhava (expression), Raga (music), Tala
(rhythm) and Natya (classical theater).
It originates in South India.
It consists of multiple items:
Nritta pure dance movements
Abhinaya dramatic art of storytelling
Nritya combination of nritta & abhinaya
Performed on Carnatic music.
Costume are made of silk saris with gold
embroidery and has a lot of pleats.
Necklace, Bangles and head ornaments are
used as jewelry.
Bells mounted on woven pads are worn on
the feet.


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Classical Dance in India
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Bhangra, Punjab
One of the most popular dances of India.
Performed during Baisakhi usually by the men
in Punjab.
It includes tricks and acrobatic feats.
The songs include recitation of meaningless
'bolis', words, such as hoay, hoay.
The drummer usually in the centre of the circle,
is surrounded by men dressed in lungis and
turbans.
The dance performed by the women folk of
Punjab is called the 'Gidha'.
In the Gidha, at a time a woman or a pair of
women dance while the others clap in rhythm.
The dance is performed in the festival of Teeyan
to welcome the rains.
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Folk Dance in India
Jatra
Born and nurtured in Bengal
Performed at fairs in honour of gods, or religious rituals and
ceremonies
Krishna Jatra became popular due to Chaitanya's influence. Later,
however, worldly love stories too, found a place in Jatra.
The earlier form of Jatra has been musical. Dialogues were added at
later stage.
The actors themselves describe the change of scene, the place of
action, etc

Nachya, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha
Influenced by Ganda musicians and entertainment form Gammat
Select a situations from life of agricultural community and improvise.
No written text is followed.
Treatment is humourous and satirical
Play begins with invocation of Ganesh and Saraswati.
In one form of nachya, the Jokkad Pari, the performers dance with
flaming torches.

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Theatre forms in India
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Carnatic (South Indian) Music
Of more recent origin
Codified in medieval texts written by musicologists,
the influential ones among whom studied in North
India and thereafter returned to South India to
fashion Carnatic music out of the prevalent
regional musical forms to be found in South India
Composition based, mostly fixed
A fairly quick tempo from the start, so lacks the
intensity, introspection, microtones and several
ornaments found in Hindustani music
Notes are not held for long and are mostly quitted
by a characteristic oscillation using indeterminate
pitch
Constant and fairly fast tempo throughout
No convention of time or season
Percussion accompanist does not enunciate
rhythmic cycle clearly, so a second percussionist
and/or a timekeeper showing and/or clapping out
beats (in which the audience joins) is necessary
Contrary to advocated argument, has Muslim
influences

Hindustani (North Indian) Music
Continuity back to Vedic times (6,000 BC)
Codified in a large number of ancient and
medieval music treatises
Developed independently of folk music, albeit
occasionally importing folk or regional elements,
metamorphosing them suitably
Raga based, mostly improvised
Capable of intense expression in very slow speeds
Vast range of ornaments, particularly during slow
passages
Subtle use of microtones in slow passages
Steady, long-held notes, mostly approached and/or
quitted by little ornamental phrases
Gradual building up of tempo from very slow to
very fast
Convention of time and season
Clear enunciation of rhythmic cycle by percussion
accompanist (in dominant present day forms like
Khayal, Sadra, Thumri, Bhajan etc.)
True to Hindu traditions: so-called Persian
influences fully integrated within its essential and
ancient grammatical format



Classical Music in India
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Music of India
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Indian Architecture
Mughal Architecture
Mughal gardens
Mughal gardens are a group of gardens built by the Mughals in the Islamic
style of architecture. This style was influenced by Persian gardens and
Timurid gardens. Significant use of rectilinear layouts are made within the
walled enclosures. Some of the typical features include pools, fountains and
canals inside the gardens. The famous gardens are the Char Bagh gardens
at Taj Mahal, Shalimar Gardens of Lahore, Delhi and Kashmir as well as
Pinjore Garden in Haryana.
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Kalinga architecture style
The design which flourished in eastern Indian state of Odisha and
Northern Andhra Pradesh are called Kalinga style of architecture.
The style consists of three distinct type of temples namely Rekha
Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakhara Deula.
Deula means "temple" in the local language. The former two are
associated with Vishnu, Surya and Shiva temple while the third is
mainly with Chamunda and Durga temples.
The Rekha deula and Khakhara deula houses the sanctum
sanctorum while the Pidha Deula constitutes outer dancing and
offering halls.
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA
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Indian Architecture
Upanishads
The Upanishads are a continuation of the Vedic
philosophy, and were written between 800 and 400
B.C. They elaborate on how the soul (Atman) can be
united with the ultimate truth (Brahman) through
contemplation and mediation, as well as the doctrine
of Karma-- the cumulative effects of a persons' actions
The word Upanishad consists of three parts:
Upa (near),
Ni (down), and
Shad (sit).
'sitting near a teacher and receiving the secret
teachings.'
The Upanishads more clearly set forth the prime Vedic
doctrines like Self-realization, yoga and meditation,
karma and reincarnation, which were hidden or kept
veiled under the symbols of the older mystery religion.
The Upanishads became prevalent some centuries
before the time of Krishna and Buddha
Upanishad means Brahma-knowledge by which
ignorance is loosened or destroyed.


Vedanta
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Vedic Literature
After the four Vedas, a number of works called the Brahmanas were developed.
It gives detailed explanation of Vedic rituals and instructions and deal with the science of
sacrifice.
Aranyakas are the latter portions of the Brahmanas.
The final parts of the Aranyakas are philosophic books named Upanishads.
Each of the four Vedas have their own Brahmana books.
Provides detailed information of the social, political and religious life of the people.
The Arayankas deal with soul, birth and death and life beyond it.
These were studied and taught by men in Vanprastha i.e. Munis and the inhabitants living inside
the forests.
All these works were in Sanskrit. Initially they were handed down orally and were put to writing
much later.
VEDA ARANYAKA BRAHMANA
RIG
Aitereya, Kousitaki Aiterya, Kousitaki
YAJUR
Taittiriya, Brhad
Aranyaka, Maitr Ayania
Taittiriya, Kanva Satapatha, Madhyandin
Satpatha
SAMA
TalvakAra, PancavimSa, VamSa, Arseya,
SadvimSa, ChAndoghya, Mantra, Daivata,
Jaiminiya, Samavidhana, Samhitopanishad
ATHARVA
Gopatha
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Brahmanas and Aranyakas
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Religions in India
Buddhism
By following the Eightfold Path, anyone could attain nirvana--
which was the release from all pain and suffering
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Religions in India
sikhism
The Five Ks
(Unique Identity - Discipline & Spirituality)
Kesh (uncut hair):
Sikhs do not cut hair or beards to demonstrate
their Love and obedience to their faith.
Kachera:
undershot to represent modesty & fidelity
Kanga:
wooden comb to keep uncut hair neat and clean
Kara:
bracelet, made of steel worn on dominant hand, a
reminder of noble actions, a symbol of eternity
Kirpaan:
ceremonial knife symbolizing freedom, liberty
and justice
Never to be used as an offensive weapon
DONTs
Shaving or cutting of
Hair
Eating Halal ( Kutta )
meat
Adultery
Use of tobacco or
intoxicants (Smoking,
Drugs, Alcohol etc)
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