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If you are an Art Lover, you should know the intricacies and radiance that reflect on every single piece of Art. Do you know what makes it so intriguing? Every piece of Indian art portrays India’s Diversity, Culture, and Long-Celebrated History. Our country is a repository of profusely made paintings. Whether it be ancient cave paintings or modern-day sculptures. There are spiritual notions and deep philosophies associated with Indian Art. 

Therefore, if someone wishes to decode Indian Art, they should first align their narratives and perspectives with India’s diverse philosophies, religions, and societal values. Every art enthusiast knows that every piece of paintwork or artwork is a visual language. Like the saying, “The beauty lies within the eyes of the beholder,” every individual has their own ways of unfolding the mysteries associated with an intuitive artwork.

So, coming to the big question - what is the most appropriate and prescribed way of understanding Indian Art? Well, it involves step-by-step setting up the narrative by uncovering the layers of history, culture, and traditions carried out in the past. Therefore, in this blog, we will discuss the methods and techniques of renowned artists that help define Indian artworks - symbols, stories, and styles. 

Significance of Symbols in Indian Art

From early civilizations until today, all pieces of information have been conveyed mostly through symbols. India is a country that hosts almost all types of religions existing worldwide. So, every line, color, and shape has something to say. It is safe to assume that symbols are deeply rooted in religions and indigenous traditions. These symbols would generally convey morality, mythological narratives, or spiritual ideas. 

Sacred Symbols: This is what we have been discussing so far in the blog. One must have good knowledge of all the religious symbols like the Om, which is the most integral and beloved symbol of Hinduism. In texts, the symbol signifies the sound of the Universe. The Swastika is also one of the widely used symbols that convey good fortune and auspiciousness.  

Anthropomorphic God Symbols: In Hindu Texts, animals hold a very special place, and every animal has its own moral representation because many Gods have their physical avatars in the form of animals in the Hindu religion. For example, Lord Ganesha is one of the primary gods whose head is that of an elephant. Narasimha is a God whose head is that of a Lion. The peacock represents Lord Karthikeya. 

Symbols of Divinity: According to one of the prominent religions in Hinduism, there are a plethora of Gods and Demi-Gods, and artists use their depiction to convey their devotion and message to viewers. For example, Lord Shiva - one of the 3 main Gods in Hinduism, also known as the God of Destruction is often portrayed with multiple arms, long hair with dreadlocks, and an eye in the forehead, symbolizing the wisdom beyond the material universe. 

Stories: The Expression of Indian Narrative

Stories have always been the most fondable aspects of Indian Culture. People love stories - whether they be religious, mythological, or historical. When it comes to artwork, artists know how to grab the attention of art viewers - through storytelling, of course! 

Mythological Stories: These stories are often derived from religious texts or books, where each and every aspect of religion is being extracted from the moral of the stories. Particularly, in the Hindu Religion, the Ramayana and Mahabharata are the 2 most devoted and sophisticated mythological stories that cover almost 50% of the whole religion. 

Historical Figures: India has witnessed a wide range of rulers from time to time. The Rajputs, Mughals, Dravidars, Chollas, Pandavas, etc. They have all left their own mark on history through their actions, battles, wars, and dialogues. If you look at some historical paintings, they would reflect many tales of bravery, romance, and even comics. 

Indian Folklore: Through the 2000 years of history, cultures from various regions of India had developed a wide variety of painting arts such as Madhubani, Warli, Kolam, etc., and all these paintings are drawn during the special days, festivals, and routine activities. For example, Warli Art has a distinctive nature through which one can identify the art very easily, as it uses geometric shapes like circles, triangles, cubes, rectangles, etc.

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Styles: The Multiverse of Indian Art Forms

Since we have covered 2 out of 3 major aspects of decoding the Indian Artforms, now it is time to explore the 3rd one - Styles. Styles are no exceptions, too; they have also been linked with different eras, dynasties, and ethnic diversities. Let’s explore them one by one. 

Classical Art Forms: When it comes to classical art forms, there are 3 major forms of art - Mughal Art, Rajput Art, and Tanjore Art. If you study these 3 art forms, it will be easier to study the rest of the art forms in India. Mughal Art (Originating from the Mughal Era) comprises kings, queens, warriors, and their ways of decors. Rajput Art hails from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Tanjore Art comes from Tamilnadu, one of the main states of South India.

Folk Art Forms: There are more than 20 Folk art forms in India. They all come from different ethnic backgrounds, they are symbols of individual ethnicities that rose from different regions of India. Madhubani Painting, Warli Art, and Pattachitra are some of the prominent examples of folk art forms. 

These paintings are some of the easiest ways to take a quick peek into the diverse cultures and ethnicities that existed in India, and still these cultures are practiced in some regions of India. For example, Madhubani Painting directly reflects the heritage of Bihar. Warli Paintings represent Maharashtrian Culture, and Pattachitra hails from Odisha. 

Contemporary Indian Art: In other words, it is a Modern-Day art form that originated in the 20th and 21st centuries. The sole purpose of its origin came from a basic idea of breaking bondage from old customs and giving new meanings to art. Some of our traditions needed amendments, and these art forms were the primary ways of renouncing some obsolete customs. 

 

M F Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon, and Subodh Gupta are some of the renowned artists who are famous for modern art forms. They very articulately and diligently transitioned from traditional artforms to modern-day artforms without hurting the long-followed norms and traditions that are very dear to common people. 

Connecting the Dots Between Symbols, Stories, and Styles

If you have studied these three facets of Indian Artforms, that means you are now ready to decrypt the original meanings of artworks just the way they are. You will rarely make a mistake of comprehending the artform with unintended connotations. Before decoding any artwork, you must keep these three aspects in mind before unveiling the mysteries that lie within. It will truly take you on a blissful ride once you learn these techniques. 

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Conclusion

Indian art is a window into the country’s soul, revealing its complexities, traditions, and values. The symbols embedded in the artwork tell us about the spiritual and philosophical beliefs of the people. The stories captured in these works reflect the ideals and struggles that shaped Indian history. The diverse styles represent the different regions, rulers, and dynasties that influenced the evolution of Indian art. Understanding these elements gives us a deeper connection to India’s past and a greater appreciation for its artistic legacy.