Elements of Indian Iconography (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24VHA421
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to recognize and analyse elements of Indian Iconography and produce relation between Iconology and Iconography. They also compare and contrast different Iconic forms of Indian deities and 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

24VHA421

Elements of Indian Iconography (Theory)

CO83: Develop an understanding of Shilpa texts and interpret Iconography, Iconology of buddha, bodhisattvas and buddhist goddesses.

 

CO84: Explain and assess Iconographical details in Jataka stories, Tirtankara Images, Incarnatory Vishnu Images and Surya images.

 

CO85: Summarise and assess Iconographical details of varied forms of Shiva.

 

CO86: Construct visual eye to evaluate Iconography, Iconology of Sapta-matrika.

 

CO87.  Build explanatory and analytical skills required to discuss Iconography and Iconology of other deities.

 

CO88. 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:

15.00
Unit I: 
An Introduction to Shilpa texts, Iconography, Iconology

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, Tirtankara Images, Incarnatory Vishnu Images and Surya images

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: 
Forms of Shiva

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

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

15.00
Unit V: 
Iconography and Iconology of Other Deities

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

Nagas, Ganas

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

Essential Readings: 
  1. R.S. Gupte, Iconography of the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains
  2. J.N. Banerjee, Developments of Hindu Iconography
  3. The Development of Hindu Iconography, Author: Banerjea, Jitendra Nath
  4. The Indian Buddhist Iconography by Bhattachacharyya, Benoytosh.
  5. The Jaina Iconography (1939) by Bhattacharya B. C.
  6. The art of ancient India: Buddhist, Hindu, Jain by Huntington, Susan L
  7. A.K.Coomaraswamy, The Origin of Buddha Image
  8. A.K.Coomaraswamy, Elements of Buddhist Iconography
  9. A.K.Coomaraswamy,  Yaksas

Suggested Reading:

  1. Dipak C. Bhattacharya, Studies in Buddhist Iconography
  2. Kalpana S. Desai, Iconography of Visnu
  3. B. Srivastava, Iconography of Sakti
  4. Shantilal Nagar, Mahishasurmardini in Indian Art
  5. T.S. Maxwell, Viswarupa
  6. R. Champakalaksmi, Vaisnava Iconography in Tamil country
  7. S. K. Panikkar, Saptamatrika
  8. Alice Getty, Ganesa
  9. Bhagawat Sahai, Iconography of minor Hindu and Buddhist deities
Academic Year: