Important notes for painting
Dancing Girl (Indus Valley Civilization)
● The Dancing Girl is a bronze figurine from Mohenjo Daro, dating back to around 2500
BCE.
● It is 4 inches tall, cast using the lost-wax technique, showcasing the advanced
metalworking skills of the Indus Valley Civilization.
● The figurine is depicted in a confident stance, with her right hand on her hip and left
hand extended, indicating movement and grace.
● She wears 24 bangles on her left arm, a necklace, and has long hair tied in a bun,
reflecting early jewelry traditions.
● The figure’s naturalistic body proportions, posture, and expression demonstrate a
deep understanding of human movement, suggesting she might be a dancer or
performer.
● This sculpture is one of the earliest representations of Indian art and culture,
emphasizing the aesthetic sensibilities of the Indus people.
Rock Painting (Prehistoric Art)
● Prehistoric rock paintings in India are mostly found in the Bhimbetka rock shelters
(Madhya Pradesh), dating back to the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Chalcolithic
periods.
● These paintings were created using natural pigments like red (hematite), white
(limestone), and green (chalcedony), mixed with animal fat or plant extracts.
● Common themes include hunting scenes, dancing figures, communal activities, and
animals like deer, bison, and elephants.
● Mesolithic paintings depict group hunting, religious practices, and rituals, showing
a shift towards social organization.
● Human figures are depicted in a stick-like style, while animals are painted in realistic
proportions with dynamic movement.
● These paintings provide valuable insights into early human life, beliefs, and artistic
expression, demonstrating how prehistoric people documented their surroundings.
Comparison of Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara Temple Architecture
Feature Nagara Style Dravida Style (South Vesara Style
(North India) India) (Deccan/Hybrid)
Tower Curvilinear Pyramidal Vimana, Mix of both – Curved
(Shikhara/Vimana) Shikhara, topped tiered structure. Shikhara with
with Amalaka & sculpted base.
Kalasha.
Ground Plan Square or Enclosed within walled Polygonal or
rectangular, built premises, often with star-shaped ground
on Jagati (raised temple tanks. plan.
platform).
Entrance No elaborate Large Gopurams Moderate-sized
(Gopuram) gateways. (ornate entrance gopurams, blending
towers). both styles.
Mandapa (Pillared Fewer mandapas, Multiple mandapas, Mandapas have
Hall) often open or elaborately carved. intricate carvings and
connected to the multiple shrines.
main shrine.
Examples Sun Temple Brihadeshwara Temple Hoysaleswara Temple
(Konark), (Thanjavur), Shore (Karnataka),
Khajuraho Temple Virupaksha Temple
Temples, (Mahabalipuram), (Pattadakal), Kailash
Jagannath Meenakshi Temple Temple (Ellora).
Temple (Puri). (Madurai).
Buddhism Influence on Maurya Empire
● Emperor Ashoka (273–232 BCE) adopted Buddhism after the Kalinga War, promoting
Dhamma (righteousness), non-violence, and compassion.
● Ashokan Edicts: Inscriptions on pillars and rock surfaces across his empire
encouraged social harmony, religious tolerance, and ethical living.
● Buddhist Architecture under Ashoka:
○ Stupas: Built to enshrine Buddha’s relics (e.g., Sanchi Stupa).
○ Monasteries (Viharas): Constructed for Buddhist monks.
○ Rock-cut caves: Provided shelter for meditation (e.g., Barabar Caves, Bihar).
○ Ashokan Pillars: Topped with animal capitals, such as the Sarnath Lion Capital
(India’s national emblem today).
● Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to Sri Lanka, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia,
leading to Buddhism’s global spread.
● His patronage made Buddhism a dominant force in Indian culture, art, and
architecture, influencing later dynasties.
Seals (Indus Valley Civilization)
● Thousands of seals have been discovered in Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, made from
steatite, terracotta, agate, and copper.
● The Pashupati Seal is the most famous, depicting a deity (possibly an early form of
Shiva) surrounded by animals.
● Seals often feature realistic animal carvings, such as unicorns, bulls, rhinoceroses,
and tigers, showing artistic sophistication.
● They were likely used for trade, religious rituals, and identification (similar to
modern-day ID cards).
● Some seals contain pictographic inscriptions, but the Indus script remains
undeciphered.
● These artifacts provide crucial insights into Indus Valley trade, administration, and
religious beliefs.
Murals from Kerala
1. Definition & Style:
○ Murals are wall paintings created using natural pigments on dry plastered
surfaces.
○ Kerala murals follow the Fresco Secco technique (painting on dry plaster).
2. Themes & Subjects:
○ Mainly depict Hindu gods, goddesses, epics (Ramayana & Mahabharata),
and legends.
○ Figures are highly stylized, with elongated eyes, detailed ornaments, and
intricate designs.
3. Techniques & Materials:
○ Colors derived from minerals & plants – Red (Laterite), Yellow (Ochre), Green
(Indigo), and Black (Charcoal).
○ Outlines drawn with fine brushes, then filled with gradual shading and
detailing.
4. Famous Mural Sites:
○ Padmanabhapuram Palace – Rich murals depicting Lord Vishnu.
○ Guruvayur Temple – Narrates Krishna’s childhood stories.
○ Mattancherry Palace – Depicts scenes from Hindu mythology.
5. Cultural Significance:
○ Reflect Kerala’s artistic heritage, religious devotion, and temple traditions.
○ Influenced later South Indian and Dravidian mural traditions.
6. Preservation & Revival:
○ Many murals have been restored through traditional conservation techniques.
○ Kerala’s Kalaris (traditional art schools) continue to teach mural painting
methods.
Medieval Period Construction
1. Time Period & Influences:
○ The Medieval Period (8th–18th century CE) saw the fusion of Hindu,
Buddhist, and Islamic architecture.
○ Influences from Persian, Central Asian, and local Indian styles shaped
construction.
2. Hindu Architecture (Vijayanagara & Rajput Styles):
○ Vijayanagara temples (e.g., Virupaksha Temple, Hampi) – Large pillared
halls, stepwells, and gopurams.
○ Rajput Forts & Palaces (e.g., Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan) – Defensive
fortifications, decorated palaces, and stepwells.
3. Indo-Islamic Architecture (Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Era):
○ Delhi Sultanate (13th–16th century) introduced arches, domes, minarets, and
geometric patterns (e.g., Qutub Minar).
○ Mughal Architecture (16th–18th century) blended Persian & Indian elements
(e.g., Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid).
4. Forts & Defensive Structures:
○ Massive fortifications with bastions, moats, and grand gateways (e.g., Agra
Fort, Gwalior Fort).
○ Rajasthani forts included multi-level courtyards, palaces, and water storage
systems.
5. Materials & Construction Techniques:
○ Use of red sandstone, marble, and glazed tiles for decoration.
○ Advanced engineering in domes (double-dome structures), jaali (lattice
screens), and charbagh gardens.
6. Impact & Legacy:
○ Defined India’s architectural heritage, influencing modern Indian temple and
mosque designs.
○ Many medieval structures are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserving
their legacy.
Chola Bronze Sculpture
● Chola bronzes (9th–13th century) are renowned for their graceful depiction of Hindu
deities, particularly Shiva, Vishnu, and Parvati.
● Created using the lost-wax method, allowing intricate detailing and naturalistic
movement.
● The Nataraja (Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer) is the most iconic Chola bronze,
symbolizing the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction.
● Sculptures were used in temples, rituals, and processions, making them an integral
part of religious life.
● The figures are often depicted in dynamic poses, with fluid body contours and
intricate ornaments.
● These sculptures represent artistic excellence, devotion, and technical mastery,
influencing later Indian and Southeast Asian art.
Lost-Wax Method
● An ancient metal-casting technique, used since the Indus Valley Civilization and
perfected by the Cholas.
● Process:
1. A wax model is created and covered in clay.
2. The wax is melted out, leaving a hollow mold.
3. Molten metal (bronze or copper) is poured in.
4. After cooling, the mold is broken to reveal the final sculpture.
● This technique allows fine detailing and one-of-a-kind sculptures.
● The lost-wax method is still practiced today in Tamil Nadu’s traditional bronze
workshops, preserving ancient craftsmanship.
Taj Mahal (Mughal Architecture, 17th Century)
● The Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1632–1653), is a mausoleum
for Mumtaz Mahal.
● Constructed using white marble, it blends Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural
styles.
● Architectural Features:
○ Large central dome (73m high) with four slender minarets at the corners.
○ Charbagh garden layout, divided by water channels, creating a symmetrical
reflection.
○ Intricate Pietra Dura inlay work, with floral motifs and Quranic calligraphy.
○ The cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan lie in a lower chamber.
● Considered a symbol of love and artistic brilliance, the Taj Mahal is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
