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Aesthetics and Art Theory (Theory)
Aesthetic theories, texts, and art practice, shastric concepts and precepts, and their role in the understanding of Indian art are critically examined. The inter-disciplinary nature of Indian art is reviewed by placing art works in their literary contexts. The course includes topics such as: an introduction to the nature of art and aesthetic experience; world-view and artistic expression; aesthetics in a historical perspective; the writings of important thinkers: Bharata's Natyashastra, Prachina and Navina schools of Sanskrit poetics, Dhvani and Rasa in the writings of Anandavardhana and Abhinavagupta; canons of Indian art and their relationship to art practice; poetic metaphors in Indian sculpture and painting; and an introduction to Islamic aesthetics.
History of Indian Aesthetics- The Scope, Historical perspective and Evolution of the Dramatic Art, Natyashastra, Its Meaning and Aim.
Rasa: Types of Rasa and their aesthetic experience, Rasa Theory as Aesthetic object, Bharata’s conception of Rasa, Constituents of Rasa and their relation: Vibhava, Anubhava, Vyabhicharibhava; Bhava and Stthayibhavas.
Commentators on the Natyashastra: Bhatta Lollatta’s practical point of view, his theory and Criticism and objections on his theory, Bhatta Shankuka’s Psycho- Epistemic approach to the problem of Aesthetics, Bhatta Nayaka’s theory.
Dhvani: History of Dhvani,
Mahima Bhatta: Introduction, Attitude towards Dhvanikara, Theory of Kashmir Saivism, Theory of Aesthetics, Conceprtion of Rasa as a reflection of a Sthyain
Abhinava Gupta: The Meaning of Rasa, His explanation of the omission of “Sthayin” in Bharata’s definition of Rasa.
Ananda Vardhana : Dhvanyaloka
Shadanga: Six Limbs of Painting by Abanindranath Tagore
Vishnu Dharmottar Purana: Contribution of Chitrasutra of the Vshnu dharmottar purana to Ancient Indian Aesthetics.
Interrelationship of Visual and Performing Art taking examples from illustrative Geet Govind, Sursagar and Rasika Priya
Books:
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Comparative Aesthetics, Prof. Dr. Kanti Chandra Pandey, The Chowkhamba Sanskrit series, Studies Volume II
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Mukund Lath, ‘Bharata and the finr art of mixing structures’ in Bahuvachana: An occasional of the arts and ideas, K.B. Vaid, J. Swaminathan and Asik Vajpeyi, Bharat Bhawan, Bhopal.
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Concept of Rasa and the foundations of Indian Aesthetics in Bharata” in Anupa Pande, Historical and Cultural study of the Natyashastra.
