Indian Culture Notes: Art Forms, Literature & Architecture (Ancient to Modern)

✨ Indian Culture: Art Forms, Literature & Architecture (Ancient to Modern)

▶️ VISUAL ARTS IN INDIA

Visual arts in India have evolved from prehistoric cave paintings to modern digital art, reflecting rich cultural diversity.

→ Painting in India

Ancient to Medieval:

• Cave Paintings ➔ Ajanta & Ellora: Buddhist murals, daily life.

• Temple Art ➔ Carvings, frescoes in Hindu, Jain temples.

Mughal & Rajput Era:

• Mughal Miniatures ➔ Rich colors, court scenes, Persian influence.

• Rajput Paintings ➔ Epic tales, festivals, nature.

Colonial Era Influence:

• British introduced Western styles & art institutions.

• Raja Ravi Varma: Fused European techniques with Indian themes.

Modern & Contemporary Art:

• Bengal School ➔ Revival of Indian themes.

• Progressive Artists’ Group (1947) ➔ Break from tradition; global styles.

• Artists like M.F. Husain, Raza, Anish Kapoor: Global recognition.

Folk & Tribal Art Forms:

• Madhubani (Bihar): Geometric, mythological themes.

• Warli (Maharashtra): Simple white on mud walls.

• Pattachitra (Odisha/WB): Scrolls, deity depictions.

✍️ Painting is an ancient Indian tradition linked to leisure, devotion, and storytelling.

▶️ POTTERY

“Lyric of handicrafts” ➔ A craft dating to 6000 BCE (Neolithic sites).

• Types: Red/Black Ware, Painted Grey Ware, Glazed & Unglazed Clay.

• Region-specific styles evolved across India.

▶️ SCULPTURE

Three-dimensional expression of devotion, mythology & artistry.

Highlights:

• Harappan Era ➔ Bronze Dancing Girl, seals.

• Mauryan Period ➔ Religious stupas, Thorana.

• Gupta Period ➔ School of Sarnath; divine imagery.

▶️ ARCHITECTURE

Architecture reflects India’s historic, cultural, and religious evolution.

Major Phases:
➜ Harappan Architecture
➜ Mauryan & Post-Mauryan Architecture
➜ Gupta Age
➜ South Indian Temple Styles
➜ Indo-Islamic (Delhi Sultanate & Mughal)
➜ Colonial (Indo-Gothic, Neo-Roman)

Structures = Stories of Civilization

▶️ PERFORMING ARTS OF INDIA

Dance, music, theatre ➔ Core to India’s cultural identity & religious expression.

🎉 Classical Dance Forms (8 forms recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi):

1. Bharatanatyam (TN)

• Graceful, sculpturesque poses.

• Devotional themes, temple origins.

2. Kathak (North India)

• Spins, storytelling through gestures.

• Radha-Krishna & Persian poetry.

3. Kathakali (Kerala)

• Elaborate costumes, face makeup.

• Epics: Ramayana, Mahabharata.

4. Odissi (Odisha)

• Tribhanga posture, lyrical devotion.

5. Kuchipudi (AP)

• Dramatic dance on brass plate.

• Hindu mythology.

6. Manipuri (Manipur)

• Soft, group dance style.

• Raas Lila themes.

7. Mohiniyattam (Kerala)

• Female solo form, graceful.

• Stories of love/devotion.

8. Sattriya (Assam)

• Vaishnava monastery tradition.

• Epics, Bhagavad Gita.

✨ Folk & Tribal Dances:

• Bhangra (Punjab) ➔ Harvest.

• Garba (Gujarat) ➔ Navratri.

• Lavani (Maharashtra) ➔ Folk rhythm.

⚡ Cultural Origins:

• Natya Veda (5th Veda) ➔ Merged Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva Vedas.

• Natyashastra (Bharata Muni) ➔ Techniques, emotions, gestures.

• Shiva’s Tandava & Parvati’s Lasya ➔ Divine symbolism.

• Guru-Shishya Parampara ➔ Tradition of oral learning.

✅ Summary Table

✨ Indian culture is a timeless blend of devotion, creativity, and storytelling — reflected in every brushstroke, rhythm, and sculpture.