Goddess Swaraswati

Goddess Swaraswati

Gupta Period, 3rd Century AD

        Here the Goddess is depicted as goddess of music. For while three figures play instruments, the fourth figure is dancing. Music is integral for our existence. It permeates not only our mind and soul, but also exists in outer space. 

        The Gupta sculptures are known for their simplicity and elegance, for harmony and beauty. They are classical pieces of art.

The Drummer

The Drummer

Gupta Dynasty,3rd Century AD, Kota Museum.

         A horse shoe window, a common motif in Gupta art and architecture, is the setting for a drummer. The body bent in a strong 'S' curve, the drummer beats out a rhythmic pattern. Indian music, whether Hindustani or Karnataka, is known for its rich rhythmes.  Music was and is an integral part of life in India.  Every auspicious occasion is ushered in by music. 

         From artistic point of view this piece is unique.  It depicts two 'makars'. But the almost resemble the dragons of Chinese Art.  Are these images imported from or exported to China, we do not know. Or are these two  images created independently across the Himalay,  we don't have a clue.

Gautam Buddha

Gautam Buddha 

Gupta Dynasty,3rd Century AD, National Museum, New Delhi

             Like Christianity and Islam, Buddhism spread all over the world. Like Jesus and Prophet Muhammad, Buddha was a reformer who established his own religion. Critical of ritualism of Hinduism, questioning the elitist attitude of the Brahmins,  Buddha taught simple principles of life, in simple vernacular language of the people, while defying the rigid caste system of the day. As a leader, he was pro - people,  pro-poor. He understood the pain and agony of the people. He showed them the path of Liberation from the cycle of life and death.

           The Gupta sculptor has caught the serenity, the humility,  and the divinity of Buddha. This image became the model of for most of the artist of Asia. With spread of Buddhism, Indian art also travelled throughout Asia. We were a global power in Philosophy, Religion and Arts.

A Princess

A Princess

Ajanta Caves, 3rd century AD

Indian painting reached its zenith in Ajanta Caves. These paintings portrayed the essence of Indian aesthetics: art work should be subdued and subtle; it should be calm, quiet and reflective; it should capture the mood or essence of emotions called the "rasa".

Here we see a princess lost in her own thoughts. With her eyes lowered, she is in a pensive mood. She is the ideal of a female beauty--voluptuous, heavily jewelled, yet she is not hankering for materialism. Instead, she is lost in her inner world of calm and tranquillity.

The Gupta art is the foundation of Asian tradition of sacred paintings. This art form travelled to Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. It also travelled to Sri Lanka, Saumatra, and into Indo-China. India has contributed as much to Eastern art, as Greece has contributed to Western art.