ELEMENTS OF INDIAN ICONOGRAPHY (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VHA 421
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The 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:

Course

 

   Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

VHA  421

Elements of Indian Iconography (Theory)

The students will-

CO87: Trace the elements of Indian Iconography to examine the significance of iconography in Indian art.

CO88: Classify and analyze the meaning of Iconography in informing the interpretation of art works.

CO89: Evaluate the relationship between Iconography and Iconology to read artworks in traditional Indian art.

CO90: Demonstrate skills to read and write critically on the studied iconography and iconology.

CO91.  Infer explanatory and analytical skills required to write on the elements of Indian Iconography.

CO92. Effectively apply knowledge of the elements of Indian Iconography 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:

 

15.00
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).

 

15.00
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.

 

15.00
Unit III: 

Main Forms of Shiva: Nataraja, Uma-Maheshwara, Kalyana-Sundaramurthy, Tripuranthaka, Yamantaka, Ravananugraha, Chandrashekara, Ardhanarishvara, Lakulisha, Harihara, Gajasurasamhara, Ravananugraha etc

 

15.00
Unit IV: 

Sapta-matrika (Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamunda) Mahishamardini, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati

 

 

15.00
Unit V: 

Other deities — Yaksha, Yakshini, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Rebanta, Hariti-Panchika

Nagas, Ganas

Image to narration: Maya Devi’s Dream (Gandhara, Bharhut, Sanchi)

 

References: 

Suggested Text Books/Suggested Reference Books:

  • R.S. Gupte, Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains
  • J.N. Banerjee, Developments of Hindu Iconography
  • The Development of Hindu Iconography, Author: Banerjea, Jitendra Nath
  • The Indian Buddhist Iconography by Bhattachacharyya, Benoytosh.
  • The Jaina Iconography (1939) by Bhattacharya B. C.
  • The art of ancient India : Buddhist, Hindu, Jain by Huntington, Susan L
  • A.K.Coomaraswamy, The Origin of Buddha Image
  • A.K.Coomaraswamy, Elements of Buddhist Iconography
  • A.K.Coomaraswamy,  Yaksas
  • Dipak C. Bhattacharya, Studies in Buddhist Iconography
  • Kalpana S. Desai, Iconography of Visnu
  • B. Srivastava,  Iconography of Sakti
  • Shantilal Nagar, Mahishasurmardini in Indian Art
  • T.S. Maxwell, Viswarupa
  • R. Champakalaksmi, Vaisnava Iconography in Tamil country
  • S. K. Panikkar, Saptamatrika
  • Alice Getty, Ganesa
  • Bhagawat Sahai, Iconography of minor Hindu and Buddhist deities

E-Resources including links

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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