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Indian and South-East Asian Art Professor A. D’Ascoli
Indian and South-East Asian Art
Professor A. D’Ascoli
Indian CivilizationIndian Civilization• 2500 – 1550 BCE Indus Valley & Saraswati 2500 – 1550 BCE Indus Valley & Saraswati
Civilizations – built cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Civilizations – built cities of Mohenjo-Daro and HarappaHarappa
• 1500 BCE – Hinduism develops1500 BCE – Hinduism develops• 1000 – 600 BCE – Vedic Period (Aryan Migrations)1000 – 600 BCE – Vedic Period (Aryan Migrations)• 88thth century BCE – Caste system is firmly established century BCE – Caste system is firmly established• 66thth – 5 – 5thth centuries BCE – Jainism and Buddhism centuries BCE – Jainism and Buddhism
appearappear• 563 – 483 BCE – Life of Gautama Buddha563 – 483 BCE – Life of Gautama Buddha• 550 BCE – Vedas are written down by the Aryans550 BCE – Vedas are written down by the Aryans
Indian CivilizationIndian Civilization• 326 BCE – Alexander the Great invades 326 BCE – Alexander the Great invades
IndiaIndia• 324 – 301 BCE – Chandragupta Maurya 324 – 301 BCE – Chandragupta Maurya
rules and establishes an Indian Empire rules and establishes an Indian Empire (established by Alexander as ruler in his (established by Alexander as ruler in his name)name)
• 269 – 232 BCE – Ashoka rules – Buddhism 269 – 232 BCE – Ashoka rules – Buddhism spreadsspreads
• 250 BCE – Sarnath is made capital of India250 BCE – Sarnath is made capital of India• 11stst century BCE – Bhagavad Gita is written century BCE – Bhagavad Gita is written
(One of Hindu Holy Books)(One of Hindu Holy Books)
Caste SystemCaste System• Indian society is divided into 4 distinct classes Indian society is divided into 4 distinct classes
or castes:or castes:• (1) Brahmins – priests, leaders, seers and (1) Brahmins – priests, leaders, seers and
religious authorities;religious authorities;• (2) Kshatriyas – originally the kings and (2) Kshatriyas – originally the kings and
warriors of the ancient past, now they are the warriors of the ancient past, now they are the administrators, politicians and civil authorities;administrators, politicians and civil authorities;
• (3) Vaishyas – businessmen, merchants, (3) Vaishyas – businessmen, merchants, traders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.; and traders, doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.; and
• (4) Shudras – they are the laborers, the servant (4) Shudras – they are the laborers, the servant class. class.
• However, even beneath the Shudras are the However, even beneath the Shudras are the Outcastes – called the ‘untouchables’ – these Outcastes – called the ‘untouchables’ – these are members of Indian society who fall outside are members of Indian society who fall outside of any of the castes and are therefore avoided of any of the castes and are therefore avoided by members of the other classes completely by members of the other classes completely
Indian CivilizationIndian Civilization• 4 Major religions exist in India today 4 Major religions exist in India today
– 3 which are indigenous– 3 which are indigenous• Jainism Jainism • Buddhism Buddhism • MuslimMuslim• Hinduism Hinduism
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - HinduismHinduism
• Origins are unknown (1500 – 500 BCE)Origins are unknown (1500 – 500 BCE)• Hindu derives from Sanskrit word for Hindu derives from Sanskrit word for
Indus RiverIndus River• Hindu worship focuses on a pantheon of Hindu worship focuses on a pantheon of
gods who personify the forces of nature gods who personify the forces of nature (not an historical person or prophet)(not an historical person or prophet)
• At the center of the Hindu religion is the At the center of the Hindu religion is the idea of Brahman – the indivisible idea of Brahman – the indivisible essence of all spiritual reality, the divine essence of all spiritual reality, the divine source of all being source of all being
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - HinduismHinduism
• Brahman’s 3 functions are divided Brahman’s 3 functions are divided into 3 gods:into 3 gods:
• (1) Brahma – the creator – not the (1) Brahma – the creator – not the same as Brahman; same as Brahman;
• (2) Vishnu – the preserver; and (2) Vishnu – the preserver; and • (3) Shiva – the destroyer. (3) Shiva – the destroyer.
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - HinduismHinduism
• The idea of The idea of kharmakharma is also central to Hindi is also central to Hindi thoughtthought
• KharmaKharma means action, however the concept of means action, however the concept of kharmakharma involves moral cause and effect (you get involves moral cause and effect (you get what you put out)what you put out)
• People’s accumulation of these moral actions will People’s accumulation of these moral actions will determine the form in which he or she will determine the form in which he or she will reincarnatereincarnate
• Because of this people’s current condition (poor, Because of this people’s current condition (poor, deformed, etc) is believed to have been caused deformed, etc) is believed to have been caused by your previous misuse of your earlier existenceby your previous misuse of your earlier existence
• Ancient Hindu society reflects these religious Ancient Hindu society reflects these religious beliefs in their caste system. beliefs in their caste system.
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - JainismJainism
• The ultimate goal of Jainism is the same as The ultimate goal of Jainism is the same as in Buddhism and Hinduism – which is the in Buddhism and Hinduism – which is the escape from the cycle of escape from the cycle of samsara samsara (the (the transmigration of the soul (reincarnation) transmigration of the soul (reincarnation)
• Jainism, more than any other Indian Jainism, more than any other Indian religion, focuses on self-reliance and religion, focuses on self-reliance and responsibility for one’s own fateresponsibility for one’s own fate
• Jainism is a very ethical faith – it Jainism is a very ethical faith – it emphasizes virtue, self-control and non-emphasizes virtue, self-control and non-violence to all life forms violence to all life forms
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - BuddhismBuddhism
• The historical Buddha was born Siddharta The historical Buddha was born Siddharta Gautama Sakya (563 – 483 BCE) and was a Gautama Sakya (563 – 483 BCE) and was a prince of a kingdom in the foothills of the prince of a kingdom in the foothills of the Himalayas, in present day Nepal. He is also Himalayas, in present day Nepal. He is also known as Sayakamuni (the sage)known as Sayakamuni (the sage)
• He achieved enlightenment and then traveled He achieved enlightenment and then traveled the countryside preaching and educating the countryside preaching and educating others on the path to enlightenment. others on the path to enlightenment.
• He taught the importance of the Middle Path – He taught the importance of the Middle Path – rejecting both extremes – those of asceticism rejecting both extremes – those of asceticism which only weakens the mind and the body which only weakens the mind and the body and indulgence which obstructs wisdom and indulgence which obstructs wisdom
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - BuddhismBuddhism
• Buddha set forth the Four Noble Truths and Buddha set forth the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path of the dharma (religious truth or Eightfold Path of the dharma (religious truth or law)law)
• The 4 Noble truths are:The 4 Noble truths are:• (1) Life consists of suffering, impermanence, (1) Life consists of suffering, impermanence,
imperfection and incompleteness; imperfection and incompleteness; • (2) the cause of life’s suffering is selfishness; (2) the cause of life’s suffering is selfishness; • (3) Suffering and selfishness can be brought to an (3) Suffering and selfishness can be brought to an
end;end;• (4) The answer to life’s problems of suffering is (4) The answer to life’s problems of suffering is
the eightfold Path. the eightfold Path.
Indian Religions - Indian Religions - BuddhismBuddhism
• The Eightfold path consists of: The Eightfold path consists of: • (1) knowledge of the 4 Noble Truths; (1) knowledge of the 4 Noble Truths; • (2) right aspiration to the goal of enlightenment (2) right aspiration to the goal of enlightenment
(nirvana); (nirvana); • (3) right speech that is honest and charitable;(3) right speech that is honest and charitable;• (4) right conduct – no drinking, killing, lying or (4) right conduct – no drinking, killing, lying or
having lust;having lust;• (5) right living according to the goals of Buddhism; (5) right living according to the goals of Buddhism; • (6) right effort; (6) right effort; • (7) right thinking with a focus on self-awareness; and(7) right thinking with a focus on self-awareness; and• (8) right use of meditation to achieve enlightenment. (8) right use of meditation to achieve enlightenment.
Great Bath
2600-1900 B.C.E.
Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan
ArchitectureOldest South East Asian city
Robed Male Figure
ca. 2000-1900 B.C.E.
Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan
Sculpture6 7/8 in. high
Indian ArtIndian Art• Indus Valley SealsIndus Valley Seals• 3000 – 1500 BCE3000 – 1500 BCE• Indus Valley, IndiaIndus Valley, India• Carved in intaglio Carved in intaglio
(relief sculpture)(relief sculpture)• Written language Written language
that is still that is still undeciphered above undeciphered above animal designsanimal designs
Indian ArtIndian Art• GaneshaGanesha• 1212thth century CE century CE• Karnataka, IndiaKarnataka, India• SculptureSculpture• From Hoyshala Period From Hoyshala Period
when Hinduism was when Hinduism was enjoying a resurgenceenjoying a resurgence
• Ganesha is a Hindu Ganesha is a Hindu god that is associated god that is associated with playfulness and with playfulness and prosperityprosperity
Indian ArtIndian Art• Lion CapitalLion Capital• 250 BCE 250 BCE • Sarnath, IndiaSarnath, India• Architecture/SculptureArchitecture/Sculpture• Mauryan era – erected Mauryan era – erected
by Ashoka to mark a by Ashoka to mark a place of significance to place of significance to the Buddhathe Buddha
• As lions are powerful As lions are powerful animals – so Buddha animals – so Buddha was a powerful teacherwas a powerful teacher
Indian ArtIndian Art• Great StupaGreat Stupa• 33rdrd century BCE century BCE• Sanchi, IndiaSanchi, India• ArchitectureArchitecture• The stupa is the The stupa is the
central symbol of the central symbol of the Buddhist faith ( a Buddhist faith ( a temple)temple)
• These stupa contain These stupa contain relics of the Buddharelics of the Buddha
• 60 ft in diameter and 60 ft in diameter and 25 ft high25 ft high
Indian ArtIndian Art• Gate of the Great StupaGate of the Great Stupa• 33rdrd – 1 – 1stst centuries BCE centuries BCE• Sanchi, IndiaSanchi, India• Architecture/Relief Architecture/Relief
SculptureSculpture• The gate is inscribed The gate is inscribed
and carved with tales and carved with tales from the life of the from the life of the Buddha as well as Buddha as well as stories from the epic stories from the epic JatakaJataka tales tales
• Over 30 feet high – Over 30 feet high – there are 4 in totalthere are 4 in total
Great Stupa – detail.
Chaitya Hallca. 100 C.E.
Karle, India
Architecture
Similar in style to Roman basilicas
Large space for worshippers to congregate in
Chaitya Hall
Indian ArtIndian Art• Seated BuddhaSeated Buddha• 22ndnd – 3 – 3rdrd century CE century CE• Peshawar District, Peshawar District,
PakistanPakistan• SculptureSculpture• From Kushan eraFrom Kushan era• The Kushans are credited The Kushans are credited
with creating the first with creating the first anthropomorphic icons of anthropomorphic icons of the Buddhathe Buddha
• Greco-Roman influences Greco-Roman influences in robein robe
Indian ArtIndian Art• Standing BuddhaStanding Buddha• 44thth – 5 – 5thth century CE century CE• Mathura, IndiaMathura, India• SculptureSculpture• Gupta Period work of Gupta Period work of
artart• The Buddha stands in The Buddha stands in
calm serenity calm serenity • Robe is sheer breaking Robe is sheer breaking
from Greco-Roman from Greco-Roman traditionstraditions
Indian ArtIndian Art• Boshisattva PadmapaniBoshisattva Padmapani• 55thth century CE century CE• Ajanta Caves, IndiaAjanta Caves, India• PaintingPainting• Gupta periodGupta period• The serenity in his face The serenity in his face
reflects compassionreflects compassion• Painted in the traditional Painted in the traditional
tribhangatribhanga pose (Standing pose (Standing figure with a slightly s-figure with a slightly s-curved body, weight curved body, weight shifted to one leg) shifted to one leg)
Indian ArtIndian Art• Kandariya Mahadeo TempleKandariya Mahadeo Temple• 1025 – 1050 CE1025 – 1050 CE• Khajuraho, IndiaKhajuraho, India• ArchitectureArchitecture• The largest tower is over The largest tower is over
100 feet tall100 feet tall• There are 84 smaller towersThere are 84 smaller towers• Placed on a masonry Placed on a masonry
platform to add to its height platform to add to its height and promote its majestyand promote its majesty
• Full of erotic relief sculptureFull of erotic relief sculpture
Indian ArtIndian Art• Taj MahalTaj Mahal• Agra, IndiaAgra, India• 1630 -1648 CE1630 -1648 CE• ArchitectureArchitecture• This is actually a This is actually a
mausoleummausoleum• Built by Shah Jahan Built by Shah Jahan
as a tribute to his as a tribute to his wife Mumatz Mahalwife Mumatz Mahal
• Islamic influence is Islamic influence is clearly seen hereclearly seen here
Indian ArtIndian Art• Shiva Nataraja (Lord of Shiva Nataraja (Lord of
the Dance)the Dance)• 1111thth – 12 – 12thth century CE century CE• Chola, IndiaChola, India• SculptureSculpture• This is probably the most This is probably the most
famous of Indian iconsfamous of Indian icons• Shiva symbolizes both the Shiva symbolizes both the
creative and destructive creative and destructive forces in the universeforces in the universe
• A ring of fire surrounds A ring of fire surrounds him as his hair flies out in him as his hair flies out in both directionsboth directions
Indian ArtIndian Art• Tirumala Sri Tirumala Sri
VenkateswaraVenkateswara• 1616thth century CE century CE• ArchitectureArchitecture• Tirupati, IndiaTirupati, India• Temple complex Temple complex
covers over 2 covers over 2 acres of landacres of land
Indian ArtIndian Art• Sabarimala TempleSabarimala Temple• 800-1000 CE800-1000 CE• Kerala, IndiaKerala, India• ArchitectureArchitecture• Series of Pilgrimage Series of Pilgrimage
Temples where strict Temples where strict rules must be followed rules must be followed to enterto enter
• Only men, women in Only men, women in menopause over 50 or menopause over 50 or girls under 10 are girls under 10 are allowed insideallowed inside
Indian ArtIndian Art• Akshradham Akshradham
TempleTemple• 2005 CE2005 CE• Delhi, IndiaDelhi, India• ArchitectureArchitecture• Built to represent Built to represent
the Hindu religion the Hindu religion in allegoryin allegory
• 141 feet high141 feet high
Indian ArtIndian Art• Lotus Bah’ai TempleLotus Bah’ai Temple• 19861986• Delhi, IndiaDelhi, India• ArchitectureArchitecture• Home of the Ba’hai Home of the Ba’hai
faith in Indiafaith in India• Built to represent a Built to represent a
Lotus flowerLotus flower• In Ba’hai faith all In Ba’hai faith all
religions are welcome religions are welcome to come and worship to come and worship god in whatever formgod in whatever form
Indian ArtIndian Art• Golden Temple (Hari Golden Temple (Hari
Mandir)Mandir)• 1581-1606 CE1581-1606 CE• Amritsar, IndiaAmritsar, India• ArchitectureArchitecture• A spot where the A spot where the
Buddha and several Buddha and several Gurus used to Gurus used to meditate, it was meditate, it was formerly a small rock formerly a small rock in a lake surrounded in a lake surrounded by a forestby a forest
Indian Erotic ArtIndian Erotic Art
Indian Erotic ArtIndian Erotic Art
Southeast Asian ArtSoutheast Asian Art
Bamayan Buddhas 3rd century C.E.
Bamayan, Afghanistan
Relief Sculpture
150 feet tall
Destroyed by Taliban
Bamayan Buddhas (destroyed)
Death of the Buddha (Parinirvana)11th - 12th century C.E.
Gal Virhara, Sri Lanka
Relief Sculpture
Cosmic Mountainca. 800 C.E.
Borobudur, Java, Indonesia
Architecture400 ft. wide – you walk around each level in prayer and meditation until you reach the top
Angkor Wat12th century C.E.
Angkor, Cambodia
Architecture
Most famous landmark and world heritage site in Cambodia
Angkor Wat
Towers of the Bayon12th to 13th centuries C.E.
Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Architecture
Similar in plan and purpose as Angkor Wat
Capital of the Khmer Empire
Towers of the Bayon Detail
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