History of Indian Art

August 31, 2020

“Indian Art” the name is enough to describe from where it originated and became an integral part of our culture. It can be traced to pre historic settlements in the third millennium BC .Indian art has had an huge impact on our cultural influences including our religions such as Hindusim, Buddhism, Jainism, Skhism and Islam.

Indian art is inspired by sensuality and spirituality, that makes it to stand out in the ocean of Art all over the world including the quality content and aesthetics which is appreciated even today.

In Art Of India each religion and philosophical system provided its own tones, vast metaphors and similies, rich associations, wild imaginations, humanization of gods and celestial beings, characterization of people, the single purpose, and the ideal life to be interpreted in art.

So what has influenced Indian art lets know about it.

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, Ellora, Badami.

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.

Influence of Buddhism:

Buddhist art and sculpture developed with the spread of Buddhism. In art and architecture stone was used from Asoka's time. Numerous stupas, chaityas and pillars were constructed. A large number of sculptures of Buddha and Bodhisattavas came to be built according to the Gandhara and Mathura school of art.

Five rules of Buddhism :

Refrain from taking life. Not killing any living being.
Refrain from taking what is not given. Not stealing from anyone.
Refrain from the misuse of the senses. Not having too much sensual pleasure.
Refrain from wrong speech. Not lying or gossiping about other people.
Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind.

Influence of Jain:

Jainism has influenced and contributed to many artistic spheres in India, such as painting, sculpture, and architecture. Modern and medievial Jains built many temples, especially in western India.

The two important faction of Jainism, the Digambara and the Śvētāmbara faction, likely started forming about the 3rd century BCE and the alienation was complete by about 5th century CE.

Influence of Sikhism:

Sikh History is around 500 years and in that time the Sikhs have developed unique expressions of art and culture which are influenced by their faith and synthesize traditions from many other cultures depending on the locality of the adherents of the religion.

Influence of Islam:

Under the Islamic influence various other branches of arts also developed in India. Many new arts and crafts with Islamic origin began to emerge in the Indian cultural scene. The art of making jewelry with setting of pearl and other precious stones on gold and silver ornaments reached its perfection.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEDIUM TO SHOWCASE ARTWORK:

FRESCO - A historical painting technique in which pigment is applied to wet plasters. Any several related mural painting types, executed on plasters on walls or ceilings.
COMIC STRIP - It is a visual planning device sketching out a sequence of frames for comic strip, film, and video.
RANGOLI - It 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.

COLLAGE - An image created by gluing materials such as paper scraps, scraps, photographs and cloth to a flat surface.
MOSAIC - A picture composed of many small, separate pieces of materials such as clays, glass, marble, and paper which are fastened to a background.