The Glory of Ancient Indian Painting

The Glory of Ancient Indian Painting

Source: https://www.indianetzone.com/57/history_indian_paintings.htm

Indian painting has, unfortunately, been largely erased by time, as in the case of the Ajanta caves. It even went through an eclipse and was revived by the Mughal influence. But the remains of Indian paintings show the immensity of the work and the genius of it. The paintings that have mostly survived from ancient times are those of the Buddhist artists; but painting in India was certainly pre-Buddhist. Indeed in ancient India, there were six "limbs", six essential elements "sadanga" to a great painting which are considered as the prime principles of the art even today. So strong were these principles, that they have found a place even in Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra. The Six Limbs are:

“Roopabhedah pramanani bhava-lavanya-yojanam |Sadrishyam varnakabhangam iti chitram shadakam ||”

1. Roopbedha: The knowledge of looks and appearances

Brief: ‘Roopa’ means the outer form or appearance of the subject. The perception is visual as well as mental. ‘Bheda,’ on the other hand, means difference. In other words, to create a painting, an artist needs to have a sound knowledge about the different forms that exist. He has to know how a form of life differs from a form of death. Both have their own characteristic features and sublimity.

2. Pramanani – Accuracy and precision of measurement and structure.

Brief: This principle is governed by certain laws, which give us the capability of proving the correctness of our perception and delineation. ‘Pramamani’ teaches us the exact measure, proportion and distance of the subjects. It provides an insight into the structural anatomy of objects, too.

3. Bhava – The feelings on forms.

Brief: ‘Bhava’ means an emotion, a feeling, an intention, or an idea. This aspect of art is depicted in the form of feelings expressed by the subject.

4. Lavanya Yojanam – Blending grace in an artistic representation.

Brief: Your painting should be gracefully high in its artistic quality. The pramanani is for stringent proportions, and bhava is for expressing movement. But, lavanya yojanamis for controlling the over-expression of both. The motive is to bring about a sense of beauty in a dignified and organised manner. Ravindranath Tagore, the famous artist from West Bengal, has described lavanya yojanam as a ‘loving mother,’ who is also careful about the rules of raising up her child.

5. Sadrisyam or Resemblance.

Brief: This is perhaps the most challenging task of creating a painting. Sadrisyam suggests the degree to which a depiction is similar to an artist’s vision or the subject itself. In a way, it is also a way of depicting similitude.

6. Varnakabhangam - An artistic way of making use of the brush and colours.

Brief: It defines the proper mannerisms of using the right type of brush and various colours. So, obviously, there shall be the use of brush and pigments. What this principle focuses on, is the way the strokes are being applied to a canvas, and the knowledge of the artist about the different colours.

What is great about our Ancient Indian paintings, Sri Aurobindo remarks that: "the Indian artist sets out from the other end of the scale of values of experience which connect  life and the spirit. The whole creative force here comes from a spiritual and psychic vision, the emphasis of the physical is secondary and always deliberately limited so as to give an overwhelmingly spiritual and psychic impression and everything is suppressed which does not serve this purpose". (Foundations, p.246). It is unfortunate that today most Indian painting imitates Western modern art, but for a few exceptions. There is nothing wrong to copy Westerners but essence of Indian painting can always be put in the backdrop of Western paintings. And it is hoped that Indian painters will soon come back to the essential, which is the vision of the inner eye, the transcription, not of the religious, but of the spiritual and the occult.

Please note:

The description of Shadangas is taken from internet link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sadanga-six-limbs-indian-art-paintings-mohina-singh

and some parts of the text is extracted from Rewriting Indian History by Francois Gautier, p.no 32, 33.

Dr. B. Ravikanth

Any Solution for Caste System in India!!

Any Solution for Caste System in India!!

Today in India, the so called Caste System is completely mis-interpreted and mis-understood. In the name of Caste, we find in India treachery that has almost spread like a Cancer. In politics, leave about how corrupt the politician is, but, people vote to nominate a person who represents his Caste. So, can this Caste Cancer be left alone without appropriate treatment? Let us examine the original purpose of Caste System as explained by Sri Aurobindo - "Caste was originally an arrangement for the distribution of functions in society, just as much as class in Europe, but the principle on which this distribution was based was peculiar to India. A Brahmin was a Brahmin not by mere birth, but because he discharged the duty of preserving the spiritual and intellectual elevation of the race, and he had to cultivate the spiritual temperament and acquire the spiritual training which alone would qualify him for the task. The Kshatriya was Kshatriya not merely because he was the son of warriors and princes, but because he discharged the duty of protecting the country and preserving the high courage and manhood of action, and he had to cultivate the princely temperament and acquire the strong and lofty Samurai training which alone fitted him for his duties." We can explore the role of Kshatriya further. King Ashoka, lost interest in the material world after he got introduced himself to Buddhism. He left his kingdom and compromised the internal safety from external threats. If he has understood our Hinduism very well, he would have continued to lead external life as KING and protected the Kingdom with very good ideals. Let us take an example of Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna, chose to withdraw from the battle field with an attitude of "I WILL NOT FIGHT" after looking at his relatives on the battle field. He was emotional and carried away with the perception of sentiments and false beliefs. Lord Krishna has to explain him about Kshatriya Dharma and remove the cloud of ignorance that settled in his mind. For Westerners and those who do not believe in God, Bhagavad Gita can be a religious text book. But, if they understood the essence, probably King Ashoka would not have compromised with his Manliness. Arjuna in Mahabharata is a reflection of us. We all have our egos, sentiments, belief systems that hinder our personal growth and achieve the real purpose of life. The real war is not outside with people and policies but with our MIND which is polluted with EGOS and WEAKNESSES which has to be conquered. Bhagavad Gita gives us an essential message of transforming one's own nature while reaching towards the Absolute. As Sri Aurobindo says - "we can never make a real step forward without a struggle between what exists and lives and what seeks to exist". To come back to our point, Kshatra Dharma is not about avoiding our duty but look into our work in the vision of Dharma. Like wise, it was for the Vaishya whose funtion was to amass Wealth for the race and the Shudra who discharged the humbler duties of service without which the other castes could not perform their share of labour for the common good". (India's Rebirth, p 26). If we have followed Caste System as practiced by our ancestors, we would have lived life in harmony. Each one would have mutually appreciated each others efforts and practiced his dharma according to his capabilities. Now-a-days, the so called Castes are polluted. People are converting from one caste to another and find no reason other than caste to quarrel. Let us examine the world at large. Every country like Russia, US, Pakistan, China have a majority religion practiced and a minority religions which are given space to operate but under conditions. India is the only country which in the name of Secular allows all the religions to operate and different castes to co-exist. It is time,  India prioritizes its stand on Sanatana Dharma and make it very clear to the insiders (trouble makers) to abide with the Sanatana Dharma or to operate peacefully without any complaints against the age-old Sanatana Dharma practiced by Indians. An Indian will never declare his caste or religion when he is in an outside country. He feels not to disclose because it is not relevant to him in the context. He focuses on the merit of job and his capabilities will be tested and rewarded and not his caste and religion. Finally, we cannot wait for things to happen unless we intend to do the right thing. The political party at the Center should be one who displays the character of Indianess and Indianism. The power at the Center should be prepared for resistance from the minority groups and if in case needed, a strong political policy surgical strike is needed inside India to make Constitution in Consensus with Sanatana Dharma. By the way, India is not like any other country which is eager to occupy other territories. Time and again it is proved that we are happy with what we have and always believe in Vasudeva Kutumbam. Hence, other religions operating in India can rest assured that it is in India and no other place in the world Muslims or Christians or any other religions can sleep happily in the Cradle of this Great Indian Civilization.

Dr. B. Ravikanth

Why I am a Blogger?

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for visiting this blog. 

Bye the way let me tell you why I started this blog? I am Teacher - Trainer - Counselor by profession. Having been in the teaching for almost 18 years and interacting with students community, I realised that I am missing on something. When I got a chance to read and listen to Sri Satguru Sivananda Murthy Garu (Mahamahopadhyaya, Desikothama) and V.V. Hanumantha Rao Garu (Managing Director - Sivananda Supatha Foundation), I realised that I need to know what I am and the great lineage I belong to. Yes, I am Indian demographically. But, it is the time, I need to start the journey inwards and discover my true identity. I feel very sad to be an Indian without knowing anything about INDIA and its PAST GLORY. I decided my life at 38 years to start the journey inwards and try if I can become that INDIAN whose sample is a true representation of legendary Aryan lineage. Nothing surprises me than select Europeans such as H.H. Wilson, Rudolf Roth, H. Grassmann, Alfred Ludwig, R.T.H. Griffith, Max Muller and few recent Indologists such as Francois Gautier, Michel Danino, David Frawley etc. It is apt to mention about Mr. Frederic Rosen  (1830) who is said to be the earliest Vedic Researcher and Sir William Jones started Asiatic Society.  All these souls I think were born in India and demonstrated their patriotism for their motherland. Hence, in this life, even though they are born somewhere else, their Jeevatma could not resist the deep delved desire or natural will to uphold the roots of Sanatana Dharma in terms of their research publications or activities. For example, Francois Gautier who was born in France, came to India and dedicated to live an Indian life. His passion towards Hindu Way of Life is exemplary. He married an Indian and honouring a Grihastu-Dharma. He is contemplating to start a museum in Maharashtra to show-case the rich history of Indian tradition and Dharmic values. The more I put here the lives of great personalities who are working for upholding Indianism or whoever worked to revive the Indianism, as a citizen of India, it is my responsibility to offer gratitude and respect towards their works. As I am fortunate to know about the few noble souls working for reviving Indianism, it is my moral responsibility to share that information to the next generation so that the rich legacy of chain is not broken. Hence, this blog is dedicated to all Indians who are demographically born in India and are not conscious about their true Indian-ness. The content is more intended to this generation of students who are Naturally Lost and Artificially Intelligent. I put before them all some important statements, or works or events that were recorded in the past or are currently happening in India and elsewhere about INDIA and INDIANISM. I pray the almighty to help each Indian to be able to discover his true identity and rich legacy and help them to uphold the Dharma in their lives.

May God bless me and help me in taking this activity for a lifetime.

Ravikanth