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LITERATURE
Sanskrit literature (SPECTRUM : PG 371)
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The Sanskrit language is divided into the Vedic and the classical. The
great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and the Puranas are part
of the classical period, but are discussed separately because of their
enormity and importance.
Dravidian Literature
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all kinds of emotions, mainly the valour and glory of kings, and about
good and evil.
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Medieval Literature
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The most powerful trend of medieval Indian literature between 1000 and
1800 A.D. is devotional (bhakti) poetry which dominates almost all the
major languages of the country.
The rise of bhakti poetry gave rise to regional languages (Bhasa). The
conception of bhakti did away with the elite tradition of Sanskrit and
accepted the more acceptable language of the common man. For e.g.
Hindi was used by Saint Kabir. Gurumukhi script by Guru Nanak.
Bhakti was not the only aspect of medieval literature. Love ballads and
heroic poetry in Punjabi, known as Kissa and Var, were popular Punjabi
medieval forms. The most famous Punjabi love ballad is Hir Ranjha, an
immortal book by a Muslim poet called Warris Shah.
Indian Romanticism
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The romantic trend of the modern times follows the tradition of Indian
poetry, where romanticism indicates the Vedantic (the philosophy of one
Reality) oneness between Nature and man, more along the lines of Vedic
symbolism and not Paganism.
Muhammad Iqbal (1877-198), the greatest poet that Urdu had produced,
second only to Ghalib, went through initially a romantic-cumnationalistic phase in his poetry. His best collection of Urdu poems is
Bang-i-Dara (1924). His quest for Pan-Islamism did not deter him in his
concern for humanity at large.
Indian poetry
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Indian poetry and Indian literature in general, has a long history dating
back to Vedic times. They were written in various Indian languages.
There are very few literary awards in India for poetry alone. The
prestigious
awards
Samman etc. are given away to writers of both prose and poetry.
Perini Shivatandavam
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This dance form was performed to motivate warriors before they went to
the battlefield.
But it reached its pinnacle during the reign of Kakatiyan rulers Rani
Rudramma Devi and Ganapathideva in the 13th century before fading
Is a divine dance performed by the Hindu god Shiva. Shiva's Tandava is described as a
vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution.
INDIAN PAINTING
The paintings in India can be divided into two genres, one is the miniature
painting drawn on small materials like paper, book or cloth. This painting reached its
zenith during Mughal period. The other is the mural painting drawn on large
structures like Ajanta caves, Kailasanatha temple.
MUGHAL PAINTING
It is generally confined to illustrations on the book and done in miniatures. Developed
and flourished during the reigns of Akbar, ShahJahan and Jahangir.
1) Origin: during the period of the Mughal Empire 16th 19th centuries.
2) Theme of painting: it includes visual records of deeds of Mughal Emperors as
hunters and conquerors. One of the first productions of that school of
miniature painting was the Hamzanama series. The Hamzanama, stories of
Amir Hamza, the uncle of the Prophet, were illustrated by Mir Sayyid Ali
3) Style of painting: Mughal paintings are a unique blend of Indian, Persian and
Islamic styles. Brilliant red, blue and green colours predominate; the pink,
eroded rocks and the vegetation, planes and blossoming plum and peach trees
are reminiscent of Persia.
The art started declining after Aurangzeb gained power of Mughal empire. Mughalstyle miniature paintings are still being created today by a small number of artists
in Rajasthan concentrated mainly in Jaipur.
Rajasthani Painting
It is a miniature style of Indian painting. Rajput paintings Paintings were even done
on the walls of palaces, inner chambers of the forts, havelies.
1) 1) Origin: It evolved and flourished during the 18th century in the royal courts
of Rajputana.
2) Theme of painting: depict a number of themes, events of epics like
the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna's life, beautiful landscapes, and
humans.
3) Styles of painting: Rajput art schools began to develop distinctive styles
combining indigenous as well as foreign influences (Persian, Mughal,
Chinese, and European) into unique styles. The colours extracted from certain
minerals, plant sources, conch shells, and were even derived by processing
precious stones, gold and silver were used.
4) Schools of Rajasthani painting: It consists of four principal schools that have
within them several artistic styles and substyles. They are merwar, marwar,
hadoti and dhundar. Kangra and kullu style are also part of rajasthani painting.
Kangra painting
It is the pictorial art of Kangra, named after Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Kangra
paintings belong to the school of Pahari paintings.
1)
origin: It was flourished during the regime of maharaja sansar chand during
18th century.
2)
Bhagavata
Purana and
the
love
poems Gita
Style of painting: The artistes employed cool, fresh colours. The faces are well
modelled and shaded so judiciously that they possess almost porcelain-like
delicacy. Kangra paintings depict the feminine charm in a very graceful
manner. Facial features are soft and refined. The female figures are
exceptionally beautiful. One striking feature of Kangra paintings is the verdant
greenery it depicts. The style is naturalistic, and great attention is paid to
detail.
Mysore painting
It is an important form of classical South Indian painting.
1) Origin: Mysore painting evolved from the paintings of Vijayanagar times
during the reign of the Vijayanagar Kings 1336-1565 A.D.
2) Theme of painting: The themes for most of these paintings are Hindu gods and
goddesses and scenes from Hindu mythology.
3) Styles of painting: known for their elegance, muted colours, and attention to
detail. Characterized by delicate lines, intricate brush strokes, graceful
delineation of figures and the discreet use of bright vegetable colours and
lustrous gold leaf.
The paintings are designed to inspire feelings of devotion and humility in the
viewer.
Tanjore painting
It is a major form of classical South Indian painting
1) 1) origin: The art form dates back to about 1600 AD, a period when the
Nayakas of Thanjavur encouraged art.
2) Themes: The subjects of most paintings are Hindu gods, goddesses, and saints.
3) Style: Tanjore paintings are known for their surface richness, vivid colors,
compact composition and especially the glittering gold foils used to give the
paintings their rich look. Tanjore paintings are panel paintings done on solid
wood planks, and hence referred to as palagai padam
Together mysore and tanjore paintings form the part of vijaynagar school of
paintings.
Mithila painting (madhubani painting)
It is a style of Indian painting, practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar state. The
painting was traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but
now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas.
1) origin: It has been done traditionally by the women of villages around the
present town of Madhubani and Darbhanga.
2) Themes: Madhubani paintings mostly depict the men & its association with
nature and the scenes & deity from the ancient epics. Natural objects like the
sun, the moon, and religious plants like tulsi are also widely painted.
3) Style: The painting is characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns.
There are paintings for each occasion and festival. Painting is done with
fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks. Madhubani paintings are
made from the paste of powdered rice.
Madhubani painting has remained confined to a compact geographical area and
the skills have been passed on through centuries. that is the reason for Madhubani
painting being accorded the coveted GI (Geographical Indication) status.
Pattachitra
2)
Themes: It is the vivid expression of daily and social events, used by them to
embellish the walls of village houses. This art form is simple in comparison to
the vibrant paintings of Madhubani.
3)
Style: Women are mainly engaged in the creation of these paintings. Images of
human beings and animals, along with scenes from daily life are created in a
loose rhythmic pattern. It can be recognized by the fact that they are painted
on an austere mud base using one colour, white, with occasional dots in red
and yellow.
The traditional Indian painting started deteriorating after the first half of the 18th century and by
the end of the century it lost most of its vitality and charm. However, in the Pahari region the art
of painting maintained its quality till the end of the first quarter of the 19th century. Under the
impact of the Western colours and technique of painting the traditional styles of Indian painting
finally died out in the second half of the 19th century.
Graceful, sensuous and lyrical. Emotions and expressions form very important
aspect of dance.
Hoysala architecture
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Hoysala influence was at its peak in the 13th century, when it dominated the Southern
Deccan Plateau region.
a negligible Indo-Aryan influence while the impact of Southern Indian style is more
distinct.
Hoysala temples were not limited to any specific organised tradition of Hinduism and
encouraged pilgrims of different Hindu devotional movements.
The Hoysalas usually dedicated their temples to Lord Shiva or to Lord Vishnu in their
various forms and avatars. Occasionally there were different deity.
Hoysala temples have distinct parts that are merged to form a unified organic whole.
Most Hoysala temples have a plain covered entrance porch supported by circular pillars.
The temples are built on raised platform called jagati. The characteristic feature of
hosayla temple is the dwarfishness of the whole structure.
Apart from architectural plan other changes were also made. Sandstone was
given up in favour of coloristic schist.
Hoysala
architectural
style,
including
the
Chennakesava
Temple at
Belur,
stupa
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structural
emblem
and
the
most
important
type
of
monument of Buddhism.
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During early Buddhist times, stupas were composed of a semispherical dome with a parasol placed on top. The dome covered
a square base with a small receptacle in the centre containing
relics.
Pagoda is the name for stupas found in China, where they are
shaped like a tower. Here, the dome was eliminated, and the
emphasis is on verticality.
3)
The Cholas continued the temple building traditions of the Pallava dynasty, who were
themselves influenced by the Amaravathi school of architecture.
4)
The Cholas in addition to their temples, also built many buildings such as hospitals, public
utility buildings and palaces.
5)
Pallavas were the first recognisable South Indian dynasty who indulged in the pursuit of
architectural innovations.
Arts in India
Gandhara school (180BC- 10 BC) amravathi school (3 BC by satha) - Mathura
school (2nd AD to 12 AD by kushans and gupta)
GUPTA SCLUPTURE
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suppleness. The soft and pliant body of the Gupta sculpture with
its smooth and shining texture, facilitates free and easy
movement, and though seemingly at rest the figure seems to be
infused with an energy that proceeds from within.
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Buddhist sculptures
- Ashoka who started making extensive use of stone for sculptures
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Kalamezhuthu (rangoli)
1) Kalam (Kalamezhuthu) is unique form of this art found in Kerala. It is
essentially a ritualistic art practiced in temples and sacred groves of Kerala
where the representation of deities like Kali and Lord Ayyappa, are made on
the floor.
2) Various factors need to be considered when deciding the nature or figure on
the 'Kalam', which include the presiding deity of the temple or sacred grove,
the religious purpose that calls for the ritual of Kalamezhuthu and the
particular caste that does it.
3) In each case the patterns, minute details, dimensions and colour choice are
decided in observance with strict rules. It is practiced using natural pigments
and powders, usually in five colours.
Bengal School of Art
1) Origin: It is an influential art movement and a style of Indian painting that
originated in Bengal during the British Raj in the early 20th century.
2) It was associated with Indian nationalism (swadeshi) and against the academic
art styles previously promoted in India, both by Indian artists such as Raja
Ravi Varma and in British art schools which had western influence. It was led
by Abanindranath
Tagore.
Tagore's
best-known
painting, Bharat
Mata (Mother India), depicted a young woman, portrayed with four arms in
the manner of Hindu deities, holding objects symbolic of India's national
aspirations.
3) It was done by oil and easel.
4) The Bengal school's influence in India declined with the spread of
modernist ideas in the 1920s.
Company style of painting
1) It is a term for a hybrid Indo-European style of paintings made in India. It
flourished during 18th and 19th centuries.
2) The style blended traditional elements from Rajput and Mughal painting with
a more Western treatment of perspective, volume and recession.
Paintings are done on wet plaster in which colours become fixed as the plaster
dries. They are called frescos.
2) The themes in these paintings are both secular and religious, but they do
depict some aspect of Buddhist life and rituals.
Buddhist art
It evolved following the life of Gautama Buddha during 6th to 5th century BC. In
India, Buddhist art flourished and influenced the development of Hindu art, until
Buddhism nearly disappeared in India around the 10th century due in part to the
vigorous expansion of Islam alongside Hinduism.
Bagurumba
It is performed by Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan. They are migratory tribe and their
traditional profession was snake catching. Hence, the dance movements and the
costumes bear resemblance to that of the serpents. It represent the creative
adaptation of this community of snake charmers to changing socioeconomic
conditions and their own role in rural Rajasthani society. Kalbelia songs are based
on stories taken from folklore and mythology and special dances are performed
during Holi. the Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan were declared a part
of its Intangible Heritage List by the UNESCO.
Chhau dance
It is folk dance of West Bengal. It is a genre of Indian tribal martial dance. The
Chhau dance is mainly performed during regional festivals, especially the spring
festival of Chaitra. The themes for these dances include local legends, folklore and
episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and other abstract themes. The
Chhau dance is mainly performed by the Munda community. In 2010 the Chhau
dance was inscribed in the UNESCO'sRepresentative List of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chalo Loku
In tune with their ethnic backgrounds and social binding, the Noctes tribe of
Arunachal Pradesh celebrate a number of festivals at different periods of the
year. Chalo Loku is by far the most colourful and popular festival. Like most of
the tribal festivals, Chalo Loku is also an agricultural festival.
So Chalo
after
the
harvest
of
paddy
and
before
the
start
of
the
BASIC FACTS
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The Natya Shastra, as written by Bharata Muni, does not mention the names of
any classical dance forms recognized today, but it lists the four Pravrittis as
Dakshinatya, Audramagadhi, Avanti, and Panchali. Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi,
and
Mohiniyattam evolved
from
the
Pravritti
form
called
Dakshinatya.
The Buddhist cave were used by traders as trade centres and halting point.
built in 3rd Century BC. Oldest rock cut cave in India. mostly dating from
the Maurya Empire (322185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions.
The caves were used by ascetics from the Ajivika sect, founded by Makkhali
Gosala.
Karla Caves: Buddhist caves located in Maharashtra. The shrines were developed over two
periods from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th century AD to the 10th
century.
Kanheri Caves: Buddhist caves located in Maharashtra. These caves date from the first
century BCE to the 10th century CE. Farther up the hill are canalsand cisterns, the remains of an
ancient system that channeled rainwater into huge tanks. The Avalokiteshwara is the most
distinctive figure.
Elephanta Caves: located in Maharashtra. It contains both Hindu and Buddhist caves. The Hindu
caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the god
Shiva. The name of creator is unknown. Dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries.
Ajanta Caves: rock-cutBuddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about
480 or 650 CE. The earliest group of caves were built during the period 100 BCE to 100 CE,
probably under the patronage of the Satavahana dynasty. The 2nd phase of caves were built by
raja harisena of vakataka dynasty.
Ellora: built by the kalachari, chalukya and Rashtrakuta dynasty. Buddhist,Hindu and Jain rockcut temples and viharas andmathas were built between the 5th century and 10th century.
Kailasa temple: is one of the famous rock cut monument, among the ellore caves. is a
remarkable example of Dravidian architecture. It is designed to recall Mount Kailash, the home
of Lord Shiva. It was built in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. The grand sculpture
of Ravana attempting to lift Mount Kailasa, with his full might is a landmark in Indian art.
Badami caves: built in 6-7th century AD. It contains shrines of Hindu and jain gods. Their
architecture is a blend of North Indian Nagara Style and South Indian Dravidian style. The cave
temples also bear exquisite carvings, sculptures and beautiful murals.