Towards Ananda: Rethinking Indian Art and AestheticsAnyone who knows India is aware of its sophisticated aesthetic philosophy and equally rich history of making everyday things beautiful. Yet, most Indians, and travellers to India, have also experienced the great contrast between its ingrained beauty and its contemporary ugliness. Towards Ananda examines the many reasons for such a paradox, with particular focus on the visual arts. Unlike most books on Indian art and aesthetics which emphasize the ‘glorious past’ of the classical traditions, this one is centred on the present and the future—on contemporary art and its place in the emerging global art world. The author explores ancient theories of aesthetics in the light of contemporary challenges, and journeys across the country to distil the complex forces which have shaped Indian aesthetics. He also gives us an overview of Western ideologies and art movements, and their conflict with Eastern perspectives. In the course of the narrative, the author illustrates the application of the aesthetic values of balance, rhythm, harmony and proportionality in art—as also in economics, development strategies, health, education, city planning, architecture, and product design. Though the primary focus is India, the issues discussed, of purpose and practice, content and context, market forces and institutions, extend to all societies that are becoming homogenized by globalization. A book that engages the reader both intellectually and emotionally, Towards Ananda is a seamless chain of ideas about the production and consumption of art in modern times. As an insider’s view of the art world, it offers valuable insights into how artists see, think and work. And since art can never be separate from the experience of reality, it is also a provocative commentary on the state and society that we are a part of. |
Contents
INTENTIONS AND DOMAINS | |
IDENTITY AND INFLUENCES | |
PRACTICE AND PUNDITRY | |
TEMPLES AND TANGENTS | |
CITY CULTURES AND SHOPTALK | |
EXPECTATIONS AND EDUCATION | |
INTEGRATION AND IMAGINED DIRECTIONS | |
MAKING SPIRITUAL | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
aesthetic Aihole Ajanta ananda art and aesthetics art education art forms art historians art movements art traditions artmaking Badami beauty become Buddha Buddhist Buddhist art building Carnatic music century Chola classical Indian colonial colours conceptual conceptual art connect consciousness contemporary art crafts create creative curriculum dance Delhi drawing economic everyday expression fakes feel galleries gardens gulab jamun Hampi Hindu human ideas images imagination Indian aesthetics Indian art Indian artists Indian culture influences inner Installation Art integration Jamini Roy journey khadi Khajuraho language learning living look mangoes materials meditation mind modern Mumbai museums nature one’s paintings parents Pattadakal purpose of art Ramjanmabhoomi rhythm rich Sarnath sculpture seems selfexpression sense showoff skills social society spiritual stone style subversive teachers temples thangka things trees tribal ugly understanding urban values viewers village vision visual arts vitality West Western art