AESTHETICS - INDIAN (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25DVAA502
Credits: 
3
Contact Hours: 
45.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to learn about the historical origin of Indian Aesthetics. Understand about Indian philosophers and their theories. Appreciate and criticize a work of art on the basis of its elements and principles. Summarize the relationship between art, philosophy and aesthetics.

 
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning Outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25DVA A502

Aesthetics - Indian

(Theory)

CO7: Build up an overall understanding of the Indian aesthetics, Natyashastra and concept of Beauty. 

 

CO8: Categorize types of Rasa and their aesthetics experience; explain Bharata’s conception of Rasa, Constituents of Rasa and their relation with Bhavas

 

CO9: Summarize the theories given by Commentators Bhatta Lollatta, Bhatta Shankuka, Bhatta Nayaka and Abhinava Gupta on Bharata’s Natyashastra.

 

CO10:  Explain Indian theories and chitrasutra in context to aesthetics.

 

CO11:  Incorporate knowledge of Shadanga and aesthetic theories of Ananda Coomaraswamy in critical writings.

CO12: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

Approach in Teaching: Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading Assignments, Multiple Points of View

 

Learning Activities for The Students: Self-Learning Assignments, Effective Questions, Giving Tasks, Oral Explanation

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

 

9.00
Unit I: 
Indian Aesthetics-Concept of Beauty and Natyashastra

An introduction to Aesthetics – Indian and its brief historical background and evolution of the dramatic art, Natyashastra, its meaning and aim

Concept of Beauty based on ancient scriptures and their relevance to art (according to the classical sanskrit literature)

 
9.00
Unit II: 
Rasa and Bhava

Rasa: Types of Rasa and their aesthetic experience, Bharata’s conception of Rasa, Constituents of Rasa and their relation with Bhavas

9.00
Unit III: 
Commentators on Bharata’s Natyashastra

Commentators on Bharata’s Natyashastra: Bhatta Lollata, Bhatta Shankuka, Bhatta Nayaka Abhinava Gupta: The Meaning of Rasa, His explanation on the omission of “Sthayin” in Bharata’s definition of Rasa.

 
9.00
Unit IV: 
Indian Theories and Vishnu Dharmottar Purana

Dhvani, Alamkara, Auchitya, Riti, Guna-Dosha

Vishnudharmottara Purana: Contribution of Chitrasutra to Indian Aesthetics.

 
9.00
Unit V: 
Shadanga and Ananda Coomaraswamy

Shadanga: Six Limbs of Painting by Abanindranath Tagore 

Aesthetic theories of Ananda Coomaraswamy

 
Essential Readings: 
  1. V.S. Seturaman, Indian Aesthetics: an introduction, Madras : Macmillan India, 1992
  2. Priyadarshi Patnaik, Rasa in Aesthetics: An Application of Rasa Theory to Modern Western Literature, 2013 by D.K. Printworld
  3. Srivastava, Balram, Nature of Indian Aesthetics, Delhi: Chaukhambha Orientalia, 1985
  4. Feagin, Aesthetics, 1997
  5. Levinson, Jerrold, The Oxford Handbook of Aesthetics, 2003
  6. Bharat Muni, Natya Shastra
  7. Manish_dutta, Natya Shastra Of Bharat Muni Part 1 Pradipa Hindi Vyakhya BabuLal Shukla Shastri Chowkhambha Sanskrit Series.
  8. U.R. Ananthamurthy, Bhava, Penguin India, 2000
  9. Pandey, Dr. Kanti Chandra, Comparative Aesthetics Vol.-i Indian Aesthetics Second Edition, 1959
References: 

Suggested Readings:

  1. JOA - Journal of Arts
  2. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts
  3. Atishay Kalit- A Bilingual Research Journal of Fine Arts, Culture and Humanities
  4. Kala: The Journal of Indian Art History Congress

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.p df
  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
  13. https://archive.org/details/indianaesthetics0000unse
Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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