INTRODUCTION TO HISTORY OF INDIAN ART (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VAS(C) 121
Credits: 
2
Contact Hours: 
30.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

The course will enable the students to-

  1. Study timeline to understand the historical development of Indian art.
  2. Develop understanding of chances in art due to socio political changes across different eras.
  3. Cultivate appreciation of Indian art and find inspiration for their own work.
  4. Gain an understanding of the historical origins of art history.

 

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Course

 

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

VAS(C) 121

Introduction to History of Indian art

The students will-

CO1: Validate historical and contextual analysis of a work of art to construct in depth analysis of their own works and those of peers.

CO2: Reflecting on major periods, artists, methods and theories to assess the qualities of work of art in terms of techniques, skills, and tools.

CO3:  Argue on how art changes according to social political changes and the patrons responsible for art so as to understand how art market has been working so far.

CO4: Experience the beginning of iconography in India to be able to trace innovation in  figurative sculptures constructed in India

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration.

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving tasks.

Semester end examinations, Continuous Assessment Test, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects, regular submission.

 

6.00
Unit I: 
Sunga- Kanva Art

Early tradition and Symbolism of Stupa Architecture, Stupa of Bharhut in detail: Its sculptures as Human Beings, Animals, Trees and Fruits, Sculptured Scenes in Bas Relief, Objects of Worship. Great Stupa No. I of Sanchi: Gateways and Sculptures.

6.00
Unit II: 
Kushan Art

Kushan Art at Mathura- Style and Contents, Origin of Buddha Images, Brahamanical Images - Yaksha and Naga Statues.

Kushan Art at Gandhara art: Distinct type of Buddha images along with Buddhist iconography possessing Graeco-Roman and Iraninan influence. Bodhisattvas, Kuber, Panchika and Hariti, Hellenistic motifs and subjects.

6.00
Unit III: 
Gupta Period

The Golden age of art in India, Architecture and Sculptural Ornamentation of Sanchi temple no. 17, The Parvati Devi temple at Nachna Kuthara, the temple of Bhitaragaon, the Vishnu temple at Tigawa, the Shiva temple at Bhumara and the Dasavatara temple at Deogarh

Iconography of Varaha :Adivaraha or Nar varaha- Nar- Varaha from Udaigiri cave 5, zoomorphic form of Eran Varaha

Evaluation and Iconography of Mukhalinga, Ekmukha Shiva Linga, 5th Century AD, Khoh, M.P.,National Museum, Delhi, Linga with Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and Surya, 6th Century AD, Uttar Predesh, National Museum, Delhi.

Terracotta from Ahichhatra and Mirpurkhas

6.00
Unit IV: 

Indian cave architecture and their sculptures: Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta

6.00
Unit V: 

Method of casting (solid and hollow); Study of South Indian Bronzes; Types of Bronze

South Indian Bronzes- Chola, Pallava and Nayaka Periods:

Shiva Nataraj (Thanjavur Distt., Tamilnadu) Chola period (12th Century A.D.)(Collection: National Museum, New Delhi), Krishna (Tamilnadu) Chola period (12th Century A.D.)(Collection: National Museum, New Delhi) Devi (Uma) Chola Period (11th Century A.D.) (Collection: National Museum, New Delhi), Dancing Ganesa (Karnataka 16th Century) (Collection: LOS Angles CCU Museum of ART, Calfornia), Kubera, Varuna (Karnataka C.1050) (Collection: LOS Angles CCU Museum of ART, Calfornia), Siva Nataraja, Tamil Nadu, India, C.950, South Indian Bronzes- LOS Angles CCU Museum of ART, Calfornia

Important south Indian Temples: Konark Temple, Khajuraho Temple, Meenakshi Temple.

References: 

Suggested Text Books/Suggested Reference Books:

  • Vasudeva S. Agrawala, Indian Art, Publications Division
  • Stella Kramrisch, Indian Sculpture, Archeological Survey of India
  • H. Zimmer, The Art of Indian Asia, 2 vols., Motilal Banarsidass Publishers
  • G. Yazdani and others, Ajanta, 3 vols, Archeological Survey of India
  • Susan Huntington, The Art of Ancient India, Motilal Banarsidass
  • R.N. Misra, Outlines of Indian Arts – Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Dance and Drama, Aryan Books International
  • Arputha Rani Sengupta, Buddhist Art and Culture – Symbols and Significance, Agam Kala Prakashan
  • S. K. Bhattacharya, The Story of Indian Art, Atma Ram
  • Ananda K Coomaraswamy, History of Indian and Indonesian Art, Dover Publications Inc.
  • Vincent A Smith, A History of Fine Art in India & Ceylon, Clarendon Press: Oxford

E-Resources:

Reference Journals:

  • Visual Studies
  • Journal of Visual Culture
  • Sculpture Journal
  • Fine arts journal (JSTOR)
Academic Year: 
2023-2024
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