Examine the role of Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana in shaping the themes and narratives of traditional Indian dance forms.

The epics, Mahabharata and the Ramayana, have profoundly influenced the themes and narratives of traditional Indian dance forms, serving as a rich source of material for artistic expression. These epics, embodying complex narratives and deep philosophical insights, offer a plethora ..

Describe the terracotta figures of the Gupta period to show that the terracotta work of this period was imbued with the spirit of true art prevailing at the time.

Terracottas form another important branch of the Gupta art. In this modest medium, gifted clay-modellers created things of real beauty and achieved a wide popular basis for their art. Clay figurines served as poor man’s sculpture and contributed largely to ..

The present generation can learn lessons and find solution to the contemporary problem of water crisis from the ancient culture and architecture of India such as step wells. Discuss.

Indian culture has always given extreme importance to natural resources like water. Traditional water storage in India like tanka, bawri, baoli, Johad, etc, have been a centre of innovative practices that are still in use today. Importance: Water as essential ..

Write a Critical note on Vijayanagara paintings.

With the decline of power of the Chola dynasty in the thirteenth century, the Vijayanagara Dynasty captured and brought under its control the region from Hampi to Trichy with Hampi serving as its capital. Many paintings survive in a number ..

What was the significance of a fort in medieval India? What were the strategic devices adopted in the construction of forts to confuse or defeat the enemy?

Building monumental forts was a regular feature in medieval times which often symbolised the seat of power of a king. When such a fort was captured by an attacking army the vanquished ruler either lost his complete power or his ..

What is the importance of the Bhagavata movement in the history of Indian art?

The Bhakti movement witnessed a surge in Hindu literature in regional languages, particularly in the form of devotional poems and music. This literature includes the writings of the Alvars and Nayanars, poems of Andal, Basava, Bhagat Pipa, Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi,  Kabir,  Nanak,   Tulsidas, Gusainji, Ravidas,  Jayadeva, Namdev, Tukaram, Mirabai, etc. The Bhagavata Purāṇa is ..

Justify by giving illustrations from the paintings in the caves at Ajanta that the master painters who produced these paintings were in love with nature.

The caves Nos. I, II; XVI and XVII were painted in the Gupta period. The master painters of Ajanta were in love with nature. The flowering trees, quietly flowing streamlets and the roaming denizens of the forest have received unqualified ..

Compare the image of the Buddha in the Gandhara art with that in the Mathura art.

In the Gandhara school Buddha portrayed had Hellenistic features whereas in the Mathura school the Buddha was modelled on earlier Yaksha images. The Gandhara School had also roman as well as Greek influences and assimilated Archimedean, Parthian and Bactrian. The ..