AESTHETICS AND ART THEORY (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VHA 122
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course will enable the students to-

  1. Demonstrate a mastery of the means and methods of art historians.
  2. Gain an understanding of Aesthetics and its allied theories given by scholars.
  3. Perform historical and contextual analysis of work of art.
  4. Develop an understanding of visual analysis and visual literacy.

                                   COURSE OUTCOMES

Course

 

   Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

VHA  122

 

 

 

Aesthetics and Art Theory (Theory)

The students will-

CO7: Understand major philosophers and their theories to assess the qualities of work of art in their historical and cultural settings.

CO8: Construct visual eye to visualize and relate artworks with related theories.

CO9: Evaluate the relationship between art, philosophy and aesthetics.

CO10: Develop skills to think and write critically on the theories given by Indian art philosophers.

CO11:  Assess the qualities of works of art in their historical and cultural settings through the use of theories given by aestheticians.

CO12: Effectively apply knowledge of aesthetics in critical writings.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration of writing and visualizing.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving writing tasks.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects, regular submission.

 

COURSE CONTENT:

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.

15.00
Unit I: 

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

 

15.00
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.

 

15.00
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.

 

15.00
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      

 

15.00
Unit V: 

Shadanga: Six Limbs of Painting by Abanindranath Tagore

Vishnu Dharmottar Purana: Contribution of Chitrasutra of the Vshnudharmottar Purana to Ancient Indian Aesthetics.

 

References: 

Suggested Text Books/Suggested Reference Books:

  • Comparative Aesthetics, Prof. Dr. Kanti Chandra Pandey, The Chowkhamba Sanskrit series, Studies Volume II
  • The Essential Ananda K. Coomaraswamy by Rama P. Coomaraswamy
  • 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.
  • Concept of Rasa and the foundations of Indian Aesthetics in Bharata” in Anupa Pande, Historical and Cultural study of the Natyashastra.
  • A Student’s Handbook of Indian Aesthetics By Neerja A. Gupta
  • Saundarya Aesthetics by Dr. Rajendra Vajpayee

E-Resources:

Reference Journals:

  • JOA - Journal of Arts
  • ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Atishay Kalit- A Bilingual Research Journal of Fine Arts, Culture and Humanities
  • Kala: The Journal of Indian Art History Congress
Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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