Author: Nihar Ranjan Ray
Publisher: Panjab University
Year: 1984
Language: English
Pages: 299
ISBN/UPC (if available): N/A
Description
An approach to Indian Art derives its inspiration from the pioneering work of Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, but draws considerably away from him in as much as it pleads more for a humanistic, social and formal (that is, aesthetic) approach to the study of Indian art than a purely religious, symbolical and intellectual one which still dominates such studies. The book argues that Indian art objects are not just illustrative materials of Indian religions, of religious myths, legends and symbols and the iconography of the goods and goddesses of various cults; positively speaking, these objects are valid and potent as objects of art itself and for their meaningful appeal to the human senses and the mind. They are indeed formal articulations of collectively felt experiences and are intended to generate in perceiving persons, certain moods, feelings and emotions, certain states of being and thus to help them widen and deepen their human experiences. It is argued further that these objects of art reflect social mores and moods, ideas and patterns of behaviour, etc., of given times and spaces as much as they do the various stages of the evolution of formal values and the techniques of making them the book underlines throughout the aesthetic, social and ethical, in a word, the human values of Indian art, values which have not been extended so far the attention they deserve.
Contents
FOREWORD
PREFACE
CHAPTER ONE
Proposition
CHAPTER TWO
The Place of Art in Life and Thought
CHAPTER THREE
Use, Aim and Function of Art
CHAPTER FOUR
The Nature and Essence of Art
CHAPTER FIVE
Content, Form, Reality, Method and Meaning in Art
CHAPTER SIX
Certain Notions relating To Form and Style in Art
CHAPTER SEVEN
Art, Morality, Religion and Society
CHAPTER EIGHT
Art and Culture
CHAPTER NINE
Ethnic Back ground of Indian Art
CHAPTER TEN
Social Base and Social Character of Indian Art
Select Bibliography
Index