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India from very early days, starting with the Indus period has boasted
of a well developed heritage in all forms of arts, including architecture,
literature, sculptures, painting, music, dance forms, theatre, besides
the contribution of the legendary 0 & infinity. All these were handed
down traditionally by word of mouth only giving rise to communities among
clans specialising in a particular discipline. |
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The ruling elite patronised and promoted the propogation of arts and
the numerous palaces, temples, paintings, Ithihasaas, Puranas, Sculptures,
Coins, Jewels bear testimony to the advanced scientific principles that
our fore-fathers and ancestors were able to apply to gain mastery in their
field. |
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Religious festivals were celebrated with a great deal of pomp and gaiety.
The Gods and Godesses decked with flowers, fine linen, exquisite jewellery
were paraded around the communes, and these periods evolved as days of
celebration, with the whole community, men & women, young & old
participating in group dances like kummi, kolaattam, bhangra etc., etc., |
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The women folk in the society, beautified themselves and their place
of residence. Kolams of various hues, colour and sizes in front of their
houses, in the pooja rooms especially during auspicious events are traditions
handed over generations and are in vogue to date.
Bright coloured intricate patterns in zari and embroidery were integral
part of the women's attire. Jewls made of lustrous metals like gold and
silver with precious stones inlaid in myriad forms borrowed from their
observance of nature's gift around them, have been an integral part of
humanity's march to, the present. |
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These traditions and art forms have withstood the invading Persians,
Romans, Arabs, Mughals & Europeans. The traditions brought along by
the invaders did merge with the existing art forms and newer varieties
emerged to stand tall amidst the older traditional disciplines.
In a world that is today shrunk to a global village, thanks to science
and technology, Indian art is reaching out to new boundaries, to try and
assimilate and embrace similar concepts to evolve a fusion, for this has
after all been the reason and substance for Indian art to be alive &
vibrant today. |
