Aesthetics and Art Theory (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24VHA122
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to demonstrate a mastery of the means and methods of art historians and gain an understanding of aesthetics and its allied theories given by scholars. They also perform historical and contextual analysis of work of art.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

24VHA122

 

 

 

Aesthetics and Art Theory (Theory)

CO7: Develop advanced proficiency in understanding the evolution of Indian aesthetics, The Scope, Historical perspective and Natyashastra.

CO8: Construct visual eye to evaluate Rasa theory, types and constituents of Rasa; Bharata’s conception of Rasa.

CO9: Discuss Commentators on the Natyashastra and assess their theories in their historical settings.

CO10: Formulate skills to think and write critically on Dhvani theory and determine the aesthetic concepts of Mahima Bhatta, and Abhinava Gupta.

CO11:  Build comprehensive understanding of the Shadanga and Vishnu Dharmottara Purana.

CO12: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

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.

Continuous Assessment Test, Semester end examination, Quiz, Solving Problems in Tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual And Group Projects      

 

 

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, Mahima Bhatta, Abhinava Gupta

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 and Vishnu Dharmottar Purana

Shadanga: Six Limbs of Painting by Abanindranath Tagore                                            Vishnu Dharmottar Purana: Contribution of Chitrasutra of the Vshnudharmottar Purana to Ancient Indian Aesthetics.

Essential Readings: 
  1. Comparative Aesthetics, Prof. Dr. Kanti Chandra Pandey, The Chowkhamba Sanskrit series, Studies Volume II
  2. The Essential Ananda K. Coomaraswamy by Rama P. Coomaraswamy
  3. 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.

Suggested Reading:

  1. Concept of Rasa and the foundations of Indian Aesthetics in Bharata” in Anupa Pande, Historical and Cultural study of the Natyashastra.
  2. A Student’s Handbook of Indian Aesthetics By Neerja A. Gupta
  3. Saundarya Aesthetics by Dr. Rajendra Vajpayee
References: 

E-Resources:

  1. https://archive.org/details/AnandaCoomaraswamy/page/75/mode/2up
  2. https://www.britannica.com/art/rasa
  3. https://www.openart.in/general-topics/indian-aesthetics/
  4. https://www.cambridgescholars.com/resources/pdfs/978-1-4438-9891-1-sample.pdf
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZa33Vqkq0M&t=2411s
  6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJxpDzdHCjQ&t=288s
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ_WKyIVveQ&t=3s
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pGE55CEPbQ&t=6s
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB3uyMyBtcE&t=3s
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEQod5hfAEU&t=10s
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmyp7H1Os4I
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgpN80y4_Zs
Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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