Indian and South-East Asian Art

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


• 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 administrators, politicians and civil authorities;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 (4) Shudras – they are the laborers, the servant class. servant 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


• 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 At the center of the Hindu religion is the idea of Brahman – the indivisible the idea of Brahman – the indivisible essence of all spiritual reality, the essence of all spiritual reality, the divine source of all being divine source of all being


• 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.

Brahman: essence Brahman: essence of realityof reality

He is not ultimate reality because he can be visualized.

Brahma’s life span = each day is 1000 times the whole of human history.

The world will end with the appearance of Vishnu is about 4000 years from now.

THE TWO MOST THE TWO MOST POPULAR POPULAR

GODSGODS

SHIVA VISHNU

KrishnaRama

Avatars of VishnuAvatars of Vishnu

GoddessesGoddesses

Lakshmi Saraswati

KaliKali

wife of Shiva

black in color & wearing a necklace of skulls.

She is a bloodthirsty goddess.

A violent destroyer of her enemies

affectionate and caring for her devotees.

.

The Ganges The Ganges RiverRiverFalling from

Its source of Vishnu’s feetonto Shiva’shead and outfrom his hair, the water ofthe Ganges issacred enoughto purify all sins.

Banaras - Hindu’s Holy Banaras - Hindu’s Holy CityCity

Pilgrims come from all over to bathe in the Ganges.

Countless Hindus come to Banaras to die.

It has 1500 temples, most of them devoted to Shiva.

It is a gathering place for the religiously learned and their disciples.


• The idea of The idea of kharmakharma is also central to Hindi thought is also central to Hindi thought• 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 by deformed, etc) is believed to have been caused by your previous misuse of your earlier existenceyour 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.

• All have an All have an atman atman or soul which can never be or soul which can never be destroyed.destroyed.

Indian Religions - Indian Religions - JainismJainism

• The ultimate goal of Jainism is the same The ultimate goal of Jainism is the same as in Buddhism and Hinduism – which is as in Buddhism and Hinduism – which is the escape from the cycle of the 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


• 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.


• 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

Architecture

Oldest South East Asian city

Robed Male Figure

ca. 2000-1900 B.C.E.

Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan

Sculpture

6 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 undeciphered above animal above animal designsdesigns


• 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


• 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 Hall

ca. 100 C.E.

Karle, India

Architecture

Similar in style to Roman basilicas

Large space for worshippers to congregate in

Chaitya Hall


• 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


• 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 Robe is sheer

breaking from Greco-breaking from Greco-Roman traditionsRoman traditions


• 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 Full of erotic relief sculpturesculpture


• 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 Shiva symbolizes both

the creative and the creative and destructive forces in the destructive forces in the universeuniverse

• A ring of fire surrounds A ring of fire surrounds him as his hair flies out him as his hair flies out in both directionsin both directions


• 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 rules must be followed to enterfollowed to 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


• 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 Mountain

ca. 800 C.E.

Borobudur, Java, Indonesia

Architecture400 ft. wide – you walk around each level in prayer and meditation until you reach the top

Angkor Wat

12th century C.E.

Angkor, Cambodia

Architecture

Most famous landmark and world heritage site in Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Angkor WatAngkor Wat

Towers of the Bayon

12th 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

Documents

Indian and South-East Asian Art