Indian Culture

PRELIMS:

Vast syllabus and difficult to answer questions in Prelims.

Important to read Locations, terms, features, similarities and dissimilarities for prelims.
7 number of question in 2014 in prelims.
Very important to read current events on Arts & Culture.

MAINS:
Art forms, Architecture and Literature of India from Ancient, Medieval and Modern times.
Only 3-4 question with total 30-40 marks from this subject in Mains.
Questions are opinion based.
How to Study:
Finish the material from CCRT website and Tamil Nadu 11 th Class book.
Study the Topics mentioned below and in mind maps by using standard and reference
books.
Then make The Hindu as the reference. Use Daily news items & Friday review on Arts,
History & Culture, Architecture, Dance, Folks, Music, Faith, Theater, etc. to make notes on
the theme of the article, form discussed, terms, locations, kingdoms, how the forms are
related or influence the present situation, how the forms lead a path to next generations,
evolution of forms in next generations or present, from where are the forms inspired
from?, differences and similarities between similar forms, why one is more used or more
famous than other form? , etc.
Think in different dimensions based on the theme of the article and form the questions.
Sources:
Standard:
1. CCRT website :Visual Art ; Performing Arts ; Literary Arts //IMP//
2. Tamil Nadu Edition 11th //IMP//
3. The Hindu //IMP//
Reference:
4.
5.
6.
7.

Tamil Nadu Edition 12th Class

NCERT Class 11th (OLD) Textbook on Fine Arts Specific book on Arts and Culture
NCERT Class 12th (NEW) Theme in Indian History
NIOS Material

Tip: Since, the weightage in mains is less and the questions asked in both prelims and
mains are very difficult, dont go in-depth and dont spend much time. Complete standard
books, topics and then use The Hindu as reference to read further. Keep revising. Dont
refer any other books.

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Topics:
Art Forms: Visual Art and Performing Art
Visual Art: Paintings, Architecture, Sculpture and Pottery
Performance Art: Dance, Folks Songs, Music
Indus Valley Civilization
Architecture
Focus Points:
Town planning and various sites associated with architecture like Lothal,
Kalibangan and Harappa etc. their significance and location.
Sculptures
Focus Points:
Male and female figurine Dancing girl, Bearded Male and terracotta
figurine etc.
Pottery
Buddhist Architecture
Chaitya and Viharas, Sanchi Stupa, Ashokan Pillars, Location of stupa and pillars, why
were they built?
Sculpture
Focus Points:
Lion Capital, Bull capital, yaksha and Yakshi, various Buddhas sculptureIts significance like seated Buddha and Standing Buddha, significance of
different postures.
Architecture
Focus Points:
Famous Temples constructed during the reign of different Empires and
their location.
Different styles of Temples like Dravida, Nagara, Vesara, Panchayatan.
Rock cut temples, specific features of temples- Garbgriha, Shikhara etc.
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Gupta Era Golden age of Indian Architecture- Caves- Ajanata and ElloraReligious aspects of these caves.
Temple Architecture in South India Nayaka, Vesara, Dravidian and
Vijayanagara etc.
Sculpture Chola- Nataraja etc.
Other school of arts Pala, Rashtrakuta and Hosala etc. Their religious
themes.
Indo-Islamic Architecture Decoration, Dome etc, Difference between
Indo-Islamic and ancient architecture.

Post Mauryan Art

Focus Points:
School of Art- Gandhara, Mathura, Gupta, Amravati.
Difference and similarities among them.
Significant features associated with each School .
Paintings
Focus Points:
Prehistoric Paintings like Bhimbetka Rock paintings
Wall Paintings
Mural Paintings (Badami)
Cave Paintings at Ajanta and Ellora
Themes associated with these paintings
Special features/styles associated with different
Their locations
Miniature Paintings
Focus Points:
Pala School of Painting
Western Indian Paintings ( Rajasthan, Gujrat and Malwa)
Mughal School of Painting
Deccan School of Painting (Tanjore, Ahemadnagar, Bijapur etc)
Pahari School of Paintings (Basholi, Kangra and Guler etc)
Special features/styles associated with different paintings
Similarities and Differences
Their Location
Modern Paintings
Focus Points:
Bengal School of Painting
Santiniketan school
Specific personalities like Raja Ravi Verma, Rabindranath Tagores ,
Amrita Shergil and their works etc.

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