Elements of Indian Iconography (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VHA 421
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
5.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the students to-

  1. Recognize and analyse elements of Indian Iconography.
  2. Produce relation between Iconology and Iconography.
  3. Compare and contrast different Iconic forms of Indian deities.
  4. Develop skills to write short critiques about different Iconic forms of Indian deities.

 

Course

Outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Paper Code

Paper Title

 

 

 

VHA 421

Elements of Indian Iconography

The students will be able to-

CO56:Understand the elements of Indian Iconography.

CO57:Classify and analyze the significance of Iconography in informing the interpretation of art works.

CO58: Assess the relationship between Iconography and Iconology.

CO59: Demonstrate skills toread and write critically on the studied iconography and iconology.

 

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.

 

14.00
Unit I: 

Introduction: Iconography to Iconology; A brief introduction to major Shilpa texts and their relevance to traditional Indian art; Aniconic and Iconic forms of Buddha, Bodhisattvas (Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, Maitreya) and Buddhist goddesses (Tara, Prajnaparamita, Marichi).

10.00
Unit II: 

Jataka stories and the life of Buddha; Tirtankara Images (Rishabhanath, Neminatha, Parshavanatha, Mahavira, Bahubali); Vishnu Images and Incarnatory forms of Vishnu; Surya images.

12.00
Unit III: 

Main Forms of Shiva (Nataraja, Uma-Maheshwara, Kalyana-sundaramurthy, Tripuranthaka, Yamantaka, Ravananugraha, Chandrashekara etc.); Sapta-matrika, Mahishamardini, Lakshmi, Saraswati; Harihara, Ardhanarishvara.

12.00
Unit IV: 

Minor deities — yaksha, Kartikeya, Rebanta, Hariti-Panchika, etc.; Image to narration: Maya Devi’s Dream, Mahishamardini, Last Judgement

12.00
Unit V: 

Introduction to Christian Iconography: Changing concepts and representations of Mary and Christ, The Apostles and the Saints

References: 

R.S. Gupte, Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains
2. J.N. Banerjee, Developments of Hindu Iconography
3. A.K.Coomaraswamy, The Origin of Buddha Image
4. A.K.Coomaraswamy, Elements of Buddhist Iconography
5. A.K.Coomaraswamy, Yaksas
6. Dipak C. Bhattacharya, Studies in Buddhist Iconography
7. Kalpana S. Desai, Iconography of Visnu
8. B. Srivastava, Iconography of Sakti
9. Shantilal Nagar, Mahishasurmardini in Indian Art
10. T.S. Maxwell, Viswarupa
11. R. Champakalaksmi, Vaisnava Iconography in Tamil country
12. S. K. Panikkar, Saptamatrika
13. Alice Getty, Ganesa
14. Bhagawat Sahai, Iconography of minor Hindu and Buddhist deities

Academic Year: 
2020-2021
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