History Notes Ch 4 History of Indian Arts Class 10 Maharashtra Board

What is Art?

Definition of Art:

Art is the result of a human’s natural desire to share experiences, emotions, and wisdom through beautiful creations.
It involves an artist’s imagination, emotions, sensitivity, and skills.

Types of Art:

Visual Arts (Drik Kala):
- Arts that can be seen, like paintings and sculptures.
- Example: Rock paintings from prehistoric times.
Performing Arts (Lalit or Aangik Kala):
- Arts that are performed, like dance, music, and theatre.
- Example: Classical dances like Bharatanatyam.

Folk Arts vs. Classical Arts:

Folk Arts:
- Traditional arts passed down from ancient times.
- Created naturally by a community as part of their lifestyle.
- Spontaneous and does not follow strict rules.
- Example: Warli paintings, folk dances.
Classical Arts:
- Follows strict rules and requires long training to master.
- Example: Classical music (Hindustani/Carnatic), Kathak dance.

Style in Art:

Every artist has a unique way of working, called their style.
When many artists follow a similar style for a long time, it becomes an art style or tradition.
Art styles are unique to specific periods and regions and help study art history.
Example: Maratha style of painting.

Indian Traditions of Visual Arts (Drik Kala)

Visual arts include painting and sculpting.

A. Art of Painting

Paintings are two-dimensional (flat) artworks, like sketches or drawings.
Painted on surfaces like rocks, walls, paper, canvas, or earthen pots.
Paintings show nature, objects, people, or tell stories.

Types of Painting Styles:

Folk Styles of Painting:

- Originated from prehistoric rock paintings.
- Found in states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
- Bhimbetka rock paintings (Madhya Pradesh) are a famous World Heritage site.
Features:
- - Show humans, animals, and geometric shapes.
  - Use natural colors like black, red, and white.
  - Reflect changes in culture, from hunting to farming.
  - Help understand ancient people’s knowledge of nature and resources.
Examples in Maharashtra:
- - Warli Paintings: Simple designs showing nature, human figures, and daily life. Artist Jivya Somya Mashe made Warli famous and won the Padmashree award in 2011.
  - Chitrakathi (Pingul): Storytelling tradition using painted pictures to narrate Ramayana or Mahabharata stories. Mentioned in the 12th-century book Manasollas by Chalukya king Someshvara.
    - Uses 30–50 pictures per story, painted with natural colors.
    - Preserved by families and artists but at risk of extinction.

Classical Styles of Painting:

- Based on ancient Indian texts that list 64 arts, including painting (alekhyam or lekhya vidya).
- Six key aspects (Shadange):
  1. Roopbheda: Different shapes and forms.
  2. Pramana: Correct proportions.
  3. Bhava: Expressions.
  4. Lavanyayojana: Beauty and aesthetics.
  5. Sadrushyata: Realistic resemblance.
  6. Varnikabhang: Use of colors.
- Found in texts like Agama, Puranas, and Vastushastra related to temple art.

Maratha Style of Painting:

- Developed in the late 17th century in Maharashtra.
- Features colorful murals (wall paintings) and miniature paintings in manuscripts.
- Seen in old wadas (houses) in Wai, Menavali, and Satara.
- Influenced by Rajput and European styles.
- Shows lifestyles, clothing, and customs of the time.

Mughal Miniature Paintings:

- Developed during Mughal emperor Akbar’s reign.
- Blend of Indian and Persian styles.
- Small, detailed paintings in manuscripts.

Deccan Miniature Paintings:

- Developed under Deccan Sultanates.
- Known for fine details and vibrant colors.

Western Style of Painting:

- Introduced during British rule.
- Focused on realistic portrayals.
- J.J. School of Art and Industry (est. 1857) trained artists in European styles.
- Example: Artist Pestonji Bomanji made replicas of Ajanta paintings.
- James Wales (Scottish artist) and Gangaram Tambat (Marathi artist) worked in Pune under Peshwas, creating drawings of rock-cut caves like Verul and Karle.

B. Sculptural Art

Sculptures are three-dimensional artworks, like statues, pots, or decorated objects.
Made from materials like rock, metal, or clay.
Techniques:
- Rock sculptures: Carved from stone.
- Metal sculptures: Made using molds.
- Clay sculptures: Shaped by hand or molds.

Folk Styles of Sculptural Art:

As old as rock paintings, dating back to the Stone Age.
Began with carving stone tools.
Tradition of making clay images for rituals started in Harappan times and continues today in Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc.
Examples:
- Ganesha idols, Gauri masks, bull figurines for Bailpola festival.
- Veergals (memorial stones), wooden memorials, decorated clay storage bins.

Classical Styles of Sculptural Art:

Started in Harappan times with seals, stone, and bronze statues (5000+ years old).
Developed during the Mauryan period with large stone sculptures like Ashokan pillars.
Sanchi Stupa (Ashoka’s time) has later-added beautiful carvings.
Bharhut Stupa shows continuous growth of sculptural art.
Verul’s Kailasa temple is a unique monolithic (single-rock) sculpture.
Lion Capital of Ashokan pillar at Sarnath is India’s national emblem.
Borobudur Stupa (Indonesia, 8th–9th century) is the world’s largest stupa and a World Heritage site.

Indian Iconography:

Study of creating images of gods and goddesses.
Gandhara School (2nd century BCE, Afghanistan): Influenced by Greek and Persian styles.
Mathura School (1st–3rd century CE, Kushana period): Laid the foundation for Indian iconography.
Gupta period (4th century CE): Set standards for sculptural art.
Chola period (9th–13th century): Famous for bronze idols of gods like Shiva, Parvati, Nataraja, Vishnu, Lakshmi.

Architecture and Sculpture:

Rock-cut caves (started 3rd century BCE) combine architecture and sculpture.
- Examples: Ajanta and Verul caves (World Heritage sites, 1983).
- Features carved columns, images, and wall/ceiling paintings.
Temple architecture began in the Gupta period (4th century CE) with simple sanctum sanctorum and veranda.
By the 8th century, temple architecture peaked (e.g., Kailasa temple at Verul).
Temple styles are based on the shikhara (tower):
- Nagara Style: North India, tall curved towers.
- Dravida Style: South India, stepped pyramid-like towers.
- Vesara Style: Blend of Nagara and Dravida.
- Bhoomija Style: Seen in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, with miniature towers rising from base to top.
Hemadpanti Temples (12th–13th century, Maharashtra):
- Star-shaped outer walls with zigzag designs for light-shadow effects.
- Built without mortar, using tenon and mortise joints.
- Examples: Ambreshwar temple (Ambarnath), Gondeshwar temple (Sinnar), Aundha Nagnath temple (Hingoli).

Islamic Architecture:

Developed under Muslim sultanates, blending Persian, Central Asian, Arabic, and Indian styles.

Examples:

- Qutub Minar (Mehrauli, Delhi): World’s tallest minaret (73 meters), started by Qutubuddin Aibak (12th century), completed by Phiroz Tughluq. A World Heritage site.
- Taj Mahal (Agra): Built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and a World Heritage site.
- Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur, Karnataka): 17th-century tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah with a dome and echoing gallery.

Indo-Gothic Architecture:

Developed during British rule.
Used for churches, government offices, railway stations, etc.

Example: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Railway Terminus (Mumbai), a World Heritage site.

Indian Traditions of Performing Arts

Folk Performing Arts:

Region-specific traditions of folk songs, instrumental music, dances, and theatre.
Part of religious festivals and social life.

Examples in Maharashtra:

- Koli Dance, Tarapa Dance, Dashavatar (Konkan), Powada, Keertan, Jagar Gondhal.

Classical Performing Arts:

Based on Natyashastra by Bharatmuni, the earliest text on music and theatre.
Nine moods (navras) of performing arts:
1. Shringar (love)
2. Hasya (humor)
3. Beebhatsa (repulsion)
4. Raudra (terrible)
5. Karuna (sad)
6. Veer (heroic)
7. Bhayanak (fearful)
8. Adbhut (wondrous)
9. Shant (peaceful)
Influenced by contact with other cultures, creating diverse styles.
Two main branches of classical music:
- Hindustani Music (North India)
- Carnatic Music (South India)
Forms: Classical (strict rules) and Semi-classical (includes folk styles).
Classical dance forms:
- Kathak (North India)
- Lavani (Maharashtra)
- Odissi (Odisha)
- Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu)
- Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh)
- Kathakali and Mohiniattam (Kerala)
Combines vocal music, instrumental music, and dance.

Modern Trends:

Music and dance festivals (e.g., Savai Gandharva festival in Pune) make classical arts accessible.
Artists like Pandit Uday Shankar created fusion styles by blending Indian classical dance, folk dance, and European opera.
Fusion music and experimental styles are expanding the scope of performing arts.

Do You Know?:

Ibrahim Adilshah II (Bijapur ruler) wrote Kitab-e Navras in Dakhani Urdu about Indian classical music, focusing on Dhrupad style and poetry.

Art, Applied Art, and Professional Opportunities

Art:

Art history is a separate field of study with research opportunities.
Professional opportunities:
1. Journalism: Writing about art.
2. Art Market: Assessing the value and authenticity of artworks.
3. Heritage Management and Cultural Tourism: Managing museums, archives, or tourism sites.
4. Related Fields: Archaeological research, Indology, library science, IT.

Applied Art:

Art combined with practical use to make it economically viable.