Aesthetics and Art Theory (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VHA 122
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

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.

 
8.00
Unit I: 

History of Indian Aesthetics- The Scope, Historical perspective and Evolution of the Dramatic Art, Natyashastra, Its Meaning and Aim.

 
10.00
Unit II: 

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.

14.00
Unit III: 

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.

 
14.00
Unit IV: 

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

14.00
Unit V: 

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

 
References: 

Books:

  1. Comparative Aesthetics, Prof. Dr. Kanti Chandra Pandey, The Chowkhamba Sanskrit series, Studies Volume II

  2. 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.

  3. Concept of Rasa and the foundations of Indian Aesthetics in Bharata” in Anupa Pande, Historical and Cultural study of the Natyashastra. 

Academic Year: 
2016-2017
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