How have ancient Indian texts like the Vedas and epics influenced the visual arts of the Indian subcontinent? With suitable example, examine their relevance in contemporary artistic practices.

Ancient Indian texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana have deeply influenced Indian visual arts. Their narratives and philosophies inspired traditional and modern art forms, enriching architecture, sculpture, and painting.

• In traditional arts, temple sculptures, murals like those at Ajanta and Ellora, and miniature paintings vividly depicted epic scenes such as the Mahabharata’s Kurukshetra or the Ramayana’s Sita’s abduction.
• Sacred geometry from Vedic cosmology shaped mandalas and yantras in temple layouts and textile designs, while architectural marvels like Khajuraho, Konark, and stupas reflected cosmic order.

Modern Indian artists carried this legacy forward. For example:

• Raja Ravi Varma masterfully painted scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, blending Indian themes with European realism.
• Nandalal Bose and Jamini Roy drew from mythology and folk art, while Rabindranath Tagore’s works reflected Upanishadic ideas.
• Amrita Sher-Gil found inspiration in Buddhist murals and Indian rural life.
• Post-independence artists like M.F. Husain reinterpreted myths in bold modernist styles, as seen in his Mahabharata series.
• Tyeb Mehta’s abstraction explored mythological figures like Mahishasura.
• H. Raza incorporated spiritual symbols like the bindu, inspired by ancient Indian cosmology, and Ramkinkar Baij and Benode Behari Mukherjee bridged folklore with modern aesthetics.

Contemporary artists like Rameshwar Broota, Atul Dodiya, and Sudarshan Shetty reinterpret ancient narratives using multimedia, sculpture, and installations, blending tradition with modernity. Their works resonate globally, keeping the spiritual and philosophical essence of Indian texts alive while addressing modern cultural and societal contexts.