StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

South Asian Art - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Southeast Asian art encompasses the works originating from the Indian subcontinent which includes the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The art in South Asia is mainly focused on the three religions that emerged in India which are Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.5% of users find it useful
South Asian Art
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "South Asian Art"

South Asian Art Introduction: Southeast Asian art encompasses the works originating from the Indian subcontinent which includes the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The art in South Asia is mainly focused on the three religions that emerged in India which are Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It is notable that this region's works of art are capable of telling stories through the use of gesture, iconography, and narrative style among others. This paper will look at two South Asian sculptures specifically The Head of Buddha and Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as goddess Parvati.

The Head of Buddha The Head of Buddha is a sculpture created in the 3rd century in Pakistan. This measures 27.5 cm inches in height and is made of schist, a form of metamorphic rock containing lamellar minerals. The Head of Buddha uses narrative style not only to enhance the image but also symbolizes his qualities, capabilities, and powers. As with other figures of Buddha, The Head of Buddha features lakshanas to portray that he is the Enlightened One. The Buddha's bulge on his head signifies his "transcendent knowledge" and excellent mental capacity.

It should also be noted that Buddha has long empty ears as he formerly wore big, heavy goal earrings as a prince. However, as he accepted pain and suffering, he took off his power and riches including his royal garment and earrings to be freed from material wealth (Kossak and Watts 27). The Head of Buddha's gesture also shows one important quality of Buddha. We can see that the eyes of Buddha are half-closed signifying that he is very peaceful and quiet. The artist used this gesture to depict this deep contentment in life.

Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as goddess Parvati Compared to the Head of Buddha, the image of Queen Sembiyan as goddess Parvati was sculpted earlier at around 998 circa. This work of art originated from India. The image was mage from 92.1 cm bronze. The figure shows the image of another reincarnation of the Great Goddess Devi. In Hindu mythology, Parvati is the reincarnation of Sita who killed herself "because of an insult to her husband" (Kossak & Watts 30). Parvati's image in the sculpture, both in shape and in gesture, symbolizes what she came here for-"lure the mourning Shiva to other marriage" (Kossak & Watts 30).

Parvati is depicted as very alluring with huge breasts and small waist. Parvati, thus, became a symbol for "fertility, marital felicity, devotion to spouse, asceticism, and power" (Parvati 2). However, as opposed to The Head of Buddha, the artist failed to integrate these characteristics in his work.Conclusion The South Asian art is truly capable of saying a lot of things about its origin, especially the gods and goddesses of its major religions. Thus, in order to truly appreciate their works of art, one must commit in knowing more of their beliefs.

Works CitedKossak, Steven and E. Watts. "The Art of South and Southeast Asia." The Metropolitan Arts of Art, New York. 2001. 25 July 2006 "Parvati." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. 21 July 2006. 25 July 2006 Appendix 1. The Head of Buddha Appendix 2. Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as goddess Parvati

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“South Asian Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1531068-south-asian-art
(South Asian Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1531068-south-asian-art.
“South Asian Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1531068-south-asian-art.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF South Asian Art

Is democracy making gains in Asia C.Q. Researcher, July 24, 1998, vol. 8, issue 27

asian countries have inherent cultural pluralism 2.... hellip; asian middle class is rising 4.... asian countries are progressing in the path of economic growth 5.... asian countries are successful in combining ‘tradition' and ‘openness to the world' 6.... Expectations focused on “asian values” did not materialize in a big way There is a widespread belief in the West that Asia is a region where democracy has not yet taken roots....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Cultural Event Report

So, I am aware of the fact that understanding of art and architecture is most helpful to be in touch with the world culture.... I decided to attend The Metropolitan Museum of art because an important event related to world culture was organized by the museum authorities, i.... an exhibition on Chinese art named as Colors of the Universe: Chinese Hardstone Carvings.... My friends and I visited the Metropolitan Museum of art on 08....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Attitudes towards Physical Activity among South Asian Men with Coronary Heart Disease

… This study investigates the attitudes of south asian men towards lifestyle and exercise habits and the relationship between physical activity in such men and instances of heart diseases.... 30 south asian men within 30-60 years are selected to participate in interviews showing their attitudes towards physical activity and heart disease.... The research questions posed here show the relationship between coronary heart disease and attitudes towards physical activity, especially among south asian men....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Proposal

Restructuring ASEAN - a New Approach of Co-Operation between South East Nations

The paper “Restructuring ASEAN – a New Approach of Co-Operation between South East Nations” emphasizes the importance of restructuring the organizational set up of ASEAN by enhancing its political security support system to strengthen cooperation between South East asian Nations.... This section stresses the kind of economy existing in the South East asian countries prior to the formation of ASEAN.... It describes in detail the role played by it in the economic and the political affairs of the South East asian countries....
3 Pages (750 words) Thesis Proposal

Art History- South and southeast Asia before 1200

Buddhist art and sculpture has proliferated since the flourishing of Buddhism and a number of monumental structures and mental images of Buddha were preserved in rock cave temples.... the Buddha and Attendants in the Kushan Period is a famous example of classical and traditional Buddha art History – South and Southeast Asia Before 1200 Buddhist art and sculpture has proliferated since the flourishing of Buddhism and a number of monumental structures and mental images of Buddha were preserved in rock cave temples....
2 Pages (500 words) Research Paper

Art of south and southeast asia before 1200

art OF SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIA BEFORE 1200 Question The rock-out architectures were built from rubble and dirt faced with dressed stone then covered with a shining white plaster made from powdered seashells and lime.... Iconography is a very vital aspect of art and this sculpture showed Shiva with four arms dancing on the prostrate body of Apasmara.... Gardners art Through the Ages.... This was a form of perfected sculpture under the royal patronage of the south Indian Chola dynasty during the late 10th to 11th centuries....
2 Pages (500 words) Assignment

Aniconic and Iconic Art in South Asian Art

An essay "Aniconic and Iconic Art in South Asian Art" claims that it represents a group of art forms that are an illustration of iconic vs.... Aniconism in South Asian Art is witnessed after Islamic religious influences permeated this region, which was eventually incorporated into art and architectural styles of the period.... Islam played a significant influence in promoting the development of aniconic art in South Asian Art.... Iconic in South Asian Art is characterized by Buddhist art that directly and explicitly depicts and portrays Buddha in various forms through painting, sculptures and architectural expressions....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Tradition and Innovation in the Handscroll, in Beijing, 2008

Generally, Handscroll art is considered as the traditional way of unleashing artistic creativity because the same represents painted image and documentary history.... To be specific, the traditional Handscroll artists follow certain guidelines (say, Jiangjiu) while displaying their… On the other side, the Handscroll created and displayed by Zhang Yimou, during Beijing Olympics (2008), links tradition and innovation by amalgamating the basic elements of traditional Handscroll art with new technology....
15 Pages (3750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us