Indian Culture Notes for UPSC: Art Forms, Literature & Architecture (Ancient to Modern)

✨ Indian Culture: Art Forms, Literature & Architecture (Ancient to Modern)

▶️ VISUAL ARTS IN INDIA

Visual arts in India have evolved from prehistoric cave paintings to modern digital art, reflecting rich cultural diversity.

→ Painting in India

Ancient to Medieval:

• Cave Paintings ➔ Ajanta & Ellora: Buddhist murals, daily life.

• Temple Art ➔ Carvings, frescoes in Hindu, Jain temples.

Mughal & Rajput Era:

• Mughal Miniatures ➔ Rich colors, court scenes, Persian influence.

• Rajput Paintings ➔ Epic tales, festivals, nature.

Colonial Era Influence:

• British introduced Western styles & art institutions.

• Raja Ravi Varma: Fused European techniques with Indian themes.

Modern & Contemporary Art:

• Bengal School ➔ Revival of Indian themes.

• Progressive Artists' Group (1947) ➔ Break from tradition; global styles.

• Artists like M.F. Husain, Raza, Anish Kapoor: Global recognition.

Folk & Tribal Art Forms:

• Madhubani (Bihar): Geometric, mythological themes.

• Warli (Maharashtra): Simple white on mud walls.

• Pattachitra (Odisha/WB): Scrolls, deity depictions.

✍️ Painting is an ancient Indian tradition linked to leisure, devotion, and storytelling.

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▶️ POTTERY

"Lyric of handicrafts" ➔ A craft dating to 6000 BCE (Neolithic sites).

• Types: Red/Black Ware, Painted Grey Ware, Glazed & Unglazed Clay.

• Region-specific styles evolved across India.

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▶️ SCULPTURE

Three-dimensional expression of devotion, mythology & artistry.

Highlights:

• Harappan Era ➔ Bronze Dancing Girl, seals.

• Mauryan Period ➔ Religious stupas, Thorana.

• Gupta Period ➔ School of Sarnath; divine imagery.

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▶️ ARCHITECTURE

Architecture reflects India's historic, cultural, and religious evolution.

Major Phases: ➜ Harappan Architecture
➜ Mauryan & Post-Mauryan Architecture
➜ Gupta Age ➜ South Indian Temple Styles
➜ Indo-Islamic (Delhi Sultanate & Mughal)
➜ Colonial (Indo-Gothic, Neo-Roman)

Structures = Stories of Civilization

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▶️ PERFORMING ARTS OF INDIA

Dance, music, theatre ➔ Core to India's cultural identity & religious expression.

🎉 Classical Dance Forms (8 forms recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi):

1. Bharatanatyam (TN)

• Graceful, sculpturesque poses.

• Devotional themes, temple origins.

2. Kathak (North India)

• Spins, storytelling through gestures.

• Radha-Krishna & Persian poetry.

3. Kathakali (Kerala)

• Elaborate costumes, face makeup.

• Epics: Ramayana, Mahabharata.

4. Odissi (Odisha)

• Tribhanga posture, lyrical devotion.

5. Kuchipudi (AP)

• Dramatic dance on brass plate.

• Hindu mythology.

6. Manipuri (Manipur)

• Soft, group dance style.

• Raas Lila themes.

7. Mohiniyattam (Kerala)

• Female solo form, graceful.

• Stories of love/devotion.

8. Sattriya (Assam)

• Vaishnava monastery tradition.

• Epics, Bhagavad Gita.

✨ Folk & Tribal Dances:

• Bhangra (Punjab) ➔ Harvest.

• Garba (Gujarat) ➔ Navratri.

• Lavani (Maharashtra) ➔ Folk rhythm.

⚡ Cultural Origins:

• Natya Veda (5th Veda) ➔ Merged Rig, Sama, Yajur, Atharva Vedas.

• Natyashastra (Bharata Muni) ➔ Techniques, emotions, gestures.

• Shiva's Tandava & Parvati's Lasya ➔ Divine symbolism.

• Guru-Shishya Parampara ➔ Tradition of oral learning.

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✅ Summary Table

Category	Notable Examples
Painting	Ajanta, Mughal Miniatures, Madhubani, Pattachitra
Pottery	Painted Grey Ware, Red/Black Ware, Glazed Pottery
Sculpture	Harappan Bronze Girl, Mauryan Stupas, Gupta Stone Statues
Architecture	Harappan cities, South Indian Temples, Mughal Forts, British Gothic Buildings
Classical Dance	Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, Sattriya
Folk Dance	Bhangra, Garba, Lavani

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✨ Indian culture is a timeless blend of devotion, creativity, and storytelling — reflected in every brushstroke, rhythm, and sculpture.