Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss.

Chronologically:

(II): Mauryan Age

1. Mother goddess: Legacy of IVC!

2. Animal sculptures: Eg: 4 lions at sarnath.

3. Eg: At Ahichhatra, Atranjikhera.

4. Didarganj yakshini

5. Yaksha Parkham ↓ reflects court & folk traditions.

6. Eg: Horse at Lumbini mentioned by Hieun Tsang

7. Stone sculpture

• stone elephant at Dhauli

III Post Mauryan Age:

1. Buddhist sculptures

2. Gandhara and Mathura school of Art

3. Amaravati school of Art

4. Jataka tales

5. cave sculptures

• Elephant friezes
• square plinths
• umbrellas
• carved pillars

1. Greek and Roman styles

• use of stucco, draped clothing
• halo, muscular body in Gandhara
• Smile and inner happiness in Mathura

IV Gupta Age:

1. Sarnath school. Eg: Hindu gods and Ayudhas

2. use of various mudras

3. Abhay mudra - fearlessness

4. Bronze images of Buddha. Eg: Sultanganj Buddha

5. Varada Mudra - charity

6. Dhyan mudra - yoga

V. Medieval India and post-Gupta period

1. Palas - buddhist bronze sculptures (Bodhisatvas - Tara, Padmapani, etc) → use of lotus, 4 arms, etc
2. Pallavas and Cholas → extremely fine design, lost wax technique used in temples. Nataraja
3. Temples - dashavatar, harihara, mahisasurmardini, kalyan sundar, saptamatrika, etc. → diversity of representation → tolerance → all in different designs Eg: varaha avatar of vishnu

• shown usually holding round earth
• in MP udaygiri shown holding bhudevi

1. Bahubali at sravan belgola → large scale (60 ft +)

VI. Modern India

1. Adi shankaracharya statue
2. Ramanuja - equality statue
3. SVP statue by Ram suthar (Statue of Unity)
4. Parliament statue.