Indic Aesthetics: Principles and Practices

20 Hours
2 Credits
*(T&C Apply) Credits applicable only for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students enrolling for SIKSHA courses through academic institutions based in India.
UG/PG
Upcoming Courses

₹5,000.00(GST additional)

About The Course

Beginning with an introduction to what is the subject of aesthetics today to the various art forms that are popular all over the world, this course moves into the Indian tradition’s detailed analysis of art and aesthetics. The aesthetic theory is well developed in the fields of drama and literature while the details of aesthetic norms in visual arts are discussed in silpasastras. The Rasa theory enunciated in the Natyasastra is the oldest discussion of aesthetics in the world and has been developed into all other branches of fine arts over the centuries. This course gives a thorough explanation of all the important issues in the Indic tradition of the study of Beauty in all forms, clarifying doubts and misinterpretations that may have cropped up in academia.

Syllabus

UNIT I - INTRODUCTION to AESTHETICS
1. What is Aesthetics? What is Beauty? *
2. Some branches of Aesthetics – sculpture, painting, architecture, landscaping, apparel fashion *
3. How to study Aesthetics – historical, geographical, style perspectives*
4. Branches of aesthetics – different genres of painting *
5. Branches of aesthetics – different genres of sculpture *
6. Branches of aesthetics – different genres of architecture *
7. The 64 arts mentioned in Indian Tradition – part 1 *
8. The 64 arts mentioned in Indian Tradition – part 2 *
9. Indian paradigm of Purusharthas *
10. Ancient Greek principles of Truth, Beauty and Goodness *

Unit II – BEAUTY, ART and AESTHETICS
11. Vedic concept of beauty *
12. Indian Art – overview of visual arts *
13. Indian performing arts – overview *
14. comparison with foreign dancing too *
15. Beauty in Nature – advantages and shortcomings *
16. Is Art an answer to the limitations of beauty in Nature? *
17. Realism and Idealism in Art *
18. Natyasastra and early drama *
19. Abhinaya, Lokadharmi and Natyadharmi
20. Rasa theory *
21. Examples for Rasa development

UNIT III - RASA in INDIAN POETRY and POETICS
22. Pramanas for Valid cognition *
23. 4 views of Abhinavabharati on Rasa theory
24. Rasa as Alaukika
25. Poetry and 4 theories of poetics
26. Riti, Vakrokti
27. Alankara
28. Examples of alankaras from Ramayana
29. Examples of alankaras from Kalidasa
30. Examples of alankaras from Bharavi
31. Examples of alankaras from Shatakatraya of Bhartrhari
32. Dhvani
33. Rasa as applied to literature

UNIT IV – SAHITYASASTRA – THE TEXTUAL TRADITION
34. Equipment of a poet – pratibha, vyutpatti, abhyasa
35. Early rhetoricians – Vamana,
36. Bhamaha
37. Sahityadarpana,
38. Dhvanyaloka
39. Aucitya in Aesthetics
40. Bhakti rasa
41. Texts in Hindi and other Indian languages
42. Influence of Natyasastra in folk theatre
43. Indian Natya influence in movies
44. Ashtanayikas in drama, painting and sculpture
45. Some Problems in Modern Interpretation

UNIT V – APPLICATIONS in MODERN LIFE
46. Ragas in Classical Indian Music
47. Integrating Art and Technology
48. Designing for Emotions
49. Aesthetic Challenges in Contemporary Design
50. Aesthetics in Visual Arts, Sculpture and Architecture
51. Multidisciplinary Approaches to Aesthetic Creations
52. Sustainable Design and Ethical Aesthetics
53. The Role of Aesthetics in Social Innovation
54. Digital Aesthetics and Virtual Reality
55. Conclusion

More Information

Learning Objectives
● This comprehensive syllabus combines elements from Indian and drawing parallels to Western aesthetics wherever necessary, while integrating principles of Design Thinking. It offers a well-rounded perspective on aesthetics, creativity, preparing them for future challenges in the interdisciplinary world of art, aesthetics, and design.

Intended Outcomes
After going through the course the student will be able to –
● Understand the arts with a finer sensibility
● Appreciate and respond better to the sentiments conveyed by the art form
● Appreciate the technical skills required in the various fine arts
● Gain a better familiarity with the global arts
● Appreciate the history of art all over the world
● To appreciate India’s traditional maturity in developing the art forms