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If one were to
travel across the length and breadth of the world’s third
largest country they would be astounded to see the foundations
of culture and tradition continue to exist in their original
form till this day.
This includes the paintings, sculptures and architecture that
have survived the ravages of time to tell the world the history
of India. In fact, it is the archaeological finding of ancient
India art that have helped scholars and historians piece
together the history of the nation we know today.
The findings of the Indus Valley Civilization – Harrapa and
Mohenjo Daro speaks volumes of the kind of life the people led.
The famous statue of the dancing woman has revealed to the world
the general physical features of women of that era. . |
From the sculpture historians know that
the women used cosmetics, they were fond of ornaments and maintained
long hair. They had thick lips and large eyes. This is just one example
of how art plays an important role in studying an era.
In fact, historians have been able to tell the stories of those eras for
which there has been no written documentation by studying the paintings
on the walls of caves and stones. One knows the story of Buddha through
the pictures at the Sanchi Stupa and other such Buddhist structures.
Ancient India figure sculpture art is one of the finest in the world. In
fact, looking at the pieces of craft of the ancient era, leaves one
spellbound by the kind of work done. In fact, one would feel that past
has been far more creative than the present is. And more so because the
media and the canvas to paint on seemed too less.
And it was all the more difficult. They did not have sketch pens and
paints and brushes. They had stone walls and pieces of metal. They had
to etch on the walls all that they wished to depict. Nonetheless art in
ancient India has worked as an inspiration for numerous artists around
the world. They are a subject matter amongst students of art and
sculpturing.
There are many artists of recent times who have shot to fame and
recognition because of their ability to imitate works of the past. And
the fact remains that works of the past are most original. They were
what the artist saw in real life and not what they copied from another
artist, or era for that matter..
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