Art and Culture

Hindustani Music Mainly practiced in the Northern parts of India. The forms of Hindustani classical music were designed primarily for vocal performance, and many instruments were designed and evaluated according to how well they emulate the human voice. Features The … Continue reading →

Svara:  The basic scale (grama) of Indian music is heptatonic and it has seven notes.  It has seven notes or svara- saa, re/ri, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni which Indian musicians collectively designate as saptak or saptaka. Sruti A shruti … Continue reading →

Literary Sources Sama Veda: All the seven notes of the raga Kharaharapriya can be found in the descending order in Sama Veda. The science of music called the Gandharva Veda is an Upaveda of the Sama Veda. Aitareya Aranyaka: The … Continue reading →

History One of the oldest art forms of bronze work is the bronze statue of a Dancing Girl from Mohenjo-daro, which has been dated around 3500-3000 BCE. Literary evidence dealing with bronze casting is Matsya Purana, Rasaratnakara. Prominent States Uttar … Continue reading →

Other Name: Pottery has been known as the ‘Lyric of handicrafts’ as it is moulded like a poetic composition. Evolution of Pottery The earliest evidence has been found in the Neolithic site of Mehrgarh, Pakistan.  The most famous pottery from … Continue reading →

Filigree Work The most famous technique used by silver jewellery artists Example: Painri and Paijam Silver Anklets From Odisha. They make uniquely knitted ornaments made of silver called gunchi.  Bidri Work From Karnataka. Very famous for its beauty.  It uses … Continue reading →

Basics of Indus Valley Civilization Associated River: Civilisation emerged on the banks of the Indus River. Time: Second half of the third millennium BCE  Location: Spread across large parts of North-Western and Western India Other Name: Harappan Civilisation Major Sites: … Continue reading →

The practice of ivory carving has been prevalent in India since the Vedic period, where it was referred to as ‘danta’. Recent excavations have shown that during the Harappan period, ivory and objects made of ivory, like ivory dice, etc., … Continue reading →

Name of the Weaving Location Features Pata Weaving Bastar, Chhattisgarh  Mainly used by tribal women. Mashru Weaving Gujarat A handwoven mix of Silk and Cotton textiles.  Bohra Cap weaving Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh Both geometric and floral patterns are created.  … Continue reading →

Name Location  Features Appliqué or Pipli Pipli village in Odisha.  It is a type of patchwork made of embroidered colourful fabric that is sewn together to make a single piece.  Bagh Punjab Uses silk threads to embroider on a green … Continue reading →