Indian Art

By: Esha B

From the Taj Mahal to the Mysore Palace, the Himalayan Mountains to the dunes of Jaisalmer, the ancient caves to modern cities, the art of India spans across a multitude of regions, eras, religions, and more. The nation's art is extremely diverse, not only because of its massive population but also because of its many cultures. It is also why much of India's art is related to religion or politics. To discuss it all would take a while, to say the least (its art has been evolving for centuries), but we can go back to the beginning- back to the ancient caves.

Ancient Indian Art

Bhimbetka cave paintings- the oldest of all Indian artworks. They are located in the Vindhya Hills of the Madhya Pradesh district, and the pieces depict scenes of an entirely different world. They show men, women, hunting, battles, and nature. They are over a whopping 200,000 years old. Etched in rich red and white, religion is depicted as well, a common theme in India's art.

Indian art really developed during the Indus Valley civilization's peak, a flourishing group located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northwest India. The Indus Valley civilization was technologically advanced, seen in its gold, terracotta, and copper statues. The most famous of these timeworn pieces is "The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo Daro," but there are many other figurines like dogs, cows, and bears. This period of "Ancient" art is classified as 3200-1200 BC.

Sculpture was a practice done by Buddhists and Hindus as well. The Buddha statue below is one example of thousands, and the icon itself is well known across the world. The statues devoted to Hinduism were of gods like Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesh. Hinduism was the focus of art creations in India for centuries.

Medieval Indian Art

In 1526 when the Mughal Empire took over India, Islam began to influence art and architecture. One of the most famous architectures was built in this time: the Taj Mahal. A marble mausoleum with an architectural blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles, the monument was made to honor a Mughal Emperor's dead wife. The 20,000 workers painstakingly worked on it for 22 years, with a total cost of 200 million dollars. However, the Taj Mahal is regarded as a symbol of India's rich history and the finest piece of Mughal architecture. It was not the only large, expensive, backbreaking project built at the time- other structures like the Tombs of Ustad and the Red Fort came about as well.

Colonial India

Just like the Mughal Empire had a profound impact on India's art, so did Britain. The European art style fused with the Indian, creating unique characteristics in pieces created, both accidental and purposefully. The British created art schools across India, disregarded their cultural art techniques and shifted to teaching Western styles. Their culture and art were suppressed by the British, and many artists began to rebel against this. They wanted to preserve the spirituality of Indian art. This rebellion against the British oppression of their culture continued until their independence in 1947.

Indian Art Today

Indian art today has taken millennia to be what it is: an extraordinary combination of techniques, styles, and eras. Whether looking at a mandala or the Agra fort, one should appreciate the wondrous beauty of its culture. With the growth of new art forms and the inclusion of other countries' techniques, India's art continues to evolve. The diversity of all of its works represents India itself: a country of many groups, trying to create harmony. Its spirit has remained since the ancient days hundreds of thousands of years ago, one full of color and light.