EVOLUTION OF ART AND CRAFT
Art and craft have evolved over thousands of years. From cavemen who chiselled on the cave walls to modern artists who use latest technologies.
The tradition of history of Indian arts goes back probably to 5000 B.C. The Indus Valley Civilization, provides us with numerous artefacts & artworks created around 3000 B.C. But unfortunately there is a missing link of almost 1000 years, after which the first historic period starts with the Mauryan art form. Ancient Indian art was basically religious in nature, influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism.
Buddhist art, which flourished under the Mauryans and developed through the following periods to reach its peak under the Guptas. While the Northern Indian art shows distinct characteristic features. The Southern part of India also excelled in artistic traditions, specially under the Pallavas, Cholas, Chalukyans and Hoysalas.. While profound influence of Saivism & Vaisnavism gave different dimensions to the Dravidian art & architecture, in the Central Indian in Vesara style we find an interesting blend of South Indian (Dravida) & North Indian (Nagara) style. Besides this, India developed a rich tradition of miniature paintings under the Mughals, Rajput Kings & in the foot hills of Punjab, Garhwal & Jammu under the local rulers.
Before the evolution of synthetic pigments, natural pigments were used. Turmeric, allum, pomogranete and many more. All these modern art materials which we are using now were not available thousands of years ago. So man used to collect all elements from nature and created art. For example, Benod Behari Mukharji, a visually impaired artist created a mural in Shanthinikethan with natural pigments. All the sculptures in temples took years to complete. But they were carved with proportion. In the Mara-Vijaya painting, Buddha’s wife had feelings of frustration and guilt didn’t disturb Buddha. Claude Monet painted “The water lilies”. That was a wonderful painting. Before modern gum was invented, people used rubber and particles of rice grains to stick things. Art and craft has evolved so much.
Vasudha Sridhar
Alchemy Youth Theatre level O Advanced
