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Since 1940, I have been reading the works of art historians, scholars, archaeologists, and indologists. With the exception of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, all the writers laid stress on foreign elements and influences on Indian art, architecture and decorative designs and symbols. These works constantly provoked a question in my mind –“Don’t we, Indians, have our indigenous traditions? If this had been so, our art and culture would not have survived for thousands of years.” This thought compelled me to go to the roots of this immense tree of Indian art and culture. It was my firm conviction right from the beginning that these roots were firmly planted in indigenous soil. In the course of my researches, I discovered that not only the Shilpashastras and Vastushastra, but a wealth of ancient literature, which is mostly in Sanskrit language also guided the artists and architects. All these works, whether imbibed orally or otherwise, were part and parcel of Indian artist’s training. He was a highly cultured person, learned in the Shastras, mythology, legends as well as folklore, music and dance. His training in art and architecture was so rigorous that he almost instinctively worked in the traditional framework. He was so reluctant to take leave of his traditional craft materials, techniques and design roots that it might almost be called one of his most outstanding culture patterns. This is the reson why India is virtually the only country in the world today whose traditional art and culture despite thousands of years foreign rule and subjugation, still stand with one foot firmly planted in indigenous soil, our traditions going back over a time cycle of five millennia.
When I was working on my book “The Little Goddesses (Matrikas)”, I observed that the natural phenomena-the Sun, the moon, the plants, certain birds and animals-have remained the main source of Indian artist’s inspiration. More important than that was Hindu religious philosophy, which contains a detailed description of the five elements (Panchtattva of Panch Mahabhuta) of which according to Hindu philosophy, are composed the universe (macrocosm) and the man (microcosm). Then there were the pictographs or hieroglyphic symbols from which had originated the Sanskrit alphabet. The five elements and the sacred pictographs furnished a number of decorative mtifs, designs and symbols that have formed an intergral part of traditional Indian art and architecture over the centuries. The present volume is the result of these wanderings in the alleys of India’s remote part. My research has compelled me to surmise that the strength of Indian art lies in its indigenous traditions and this fact accounts for its unbroken continuity over thousands of years I shall fell my effort amply rewarded if this book succeeds not only in exploding a number of myths and misleading notions about Indian art.
Condition of the book: Usable; but the pages and cover look old
Chhavi - 2 Rai Krishnadasa Felicitation Volume
Author: Anand Krishna
Our Price: $1,100.00
The Ritual Art of Teyyam And Bhutaradhane
Author: Sita K. Nambiar
Our Price: $139.00
Coins of Southern India
Author: Sir Walter Elli
Our Price: $49.00
Art of Nepal
Author: Amita Ray
Our Price: $39.00
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