Art of North Central Asia

Yamantaka Mandala by Monks of the Gyuto Tantric University, Tibet, 1991 in Minneapolis, MN, colored silicate and adhesive on wood, 96”

Rug with Helicopters and Guns from North Pakistan by Afgan refugees, 1990’s. Rugs reflect life.

The oldest pile rug known, approx 2300 BCE, Altai Mountains Siberia near Mongolia

ART of ANCIENT INDIA

The ancient Indian Sub-Continent includes present day India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It is home to the world’s tallest mountain range to the North, the Himalayas.

Pre-Aryan Art

Citadel (fortress) Water Tank for ritual bathing, Mohenjo-Daro, Indus Valley, 2600 BCE

Seal of a Yogi Meditating (a Yogi is someone who seeks purification for spiritual purposes) through self control), Indus Valley, 2500 BCE. Seals were pressed into surfaces to mark sealed packages. The writing has not been deciphered.

The Indus Valley’s earliest civilization began c. 3000 BCE around the time of the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Mesopotamians. These original people were taken over by the Aryans who brought the class separation or “cast” system. Three major religions develop: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Janism.

Hindu Sculpture

Shiva (form of God that is the universe) 12 CE. Bronze, followers may stop brushing their hair to let it knot into dreadlocks

Around 1500 BCE nomadic (wandering) shepherds from Northern Europe/Central Asia called Aryans arrive. They introduce bronze weapons, the horse, the chariot, the Sanskrit language and the Vedas (sacred writings). Hinduism is from Vedic and indigenous beliefs. Gods are worshipped through rituals, meditation, love and devotion. Life is a sacrifice to God. Desire traps us with Karma (deed that cause an effect) we are reborn into higher positions to escape reincarnation (the endless cycle of birth and death) to become pure bliss. Spiritual books examine the relationship between the individual and universal soul.

Durga (God in female form for victory) Slaying a Demon, rock relief, 7th century CE, 9’ tall

Eternal Shiva, Cave Temple at Elephanta 6th century CE 11 feet high. Monks carve the cave over centuries as they live inside.

Hindu Temple Decoration

Rajaraja Chola (behind) and his teacher, Wall Painting (Fresco) Shiva Temple, 1010 CE. Symbolic color is used.

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Chandella dynasty 1000 CE. Shows levels of consciousness. At the bottom is violence, sex, & crime. Life improves higher on the walls until gods are at the top. The bottom walls were destoyed by the English who misunderstood the lesson in spiritual living.

Buddhist Sculpture

Detail of Lion Capital from Ashokan Pillar

Ashokan Pillar, India, Maurya period, 246 BCE, The ruler was stunned by the horror he caused in war, he gave-up violence and began to peacefully spread Buddhism and the arts. His pillars represent peace. Yakshi, India, 250

BCE, polished sandstone. She appears stiff.

Shakyamuni Buddha (enlightened/holy one) lived c. 500 BCE. Buddhism is based on his teachings. Four basic teachings are: Life is suffering, uffering is caused by ignorance & desire, ignorance can be overcome, to overcome ignorance live the “right” life forbidding: theft, improper sexual practices (adultery for lay people, sexual activity for monks), killing, lying and deceiving, and alcohol. Some believes compassion and meditation are key to living “right”.

Buddhist Temple Decoration

Great Stupa Temple at Sanchi, 3 BCE, Ashokan period, in the shape of a diagram of the universe called a MANDALA.

Yakshi bracket, 60”, water personified, the source of life. A flowing version.

Ajanta Cave, 475 CE Bodhisattava (a Buddha in training)

Architecture & Painting

The Taj Mahal, Mughal (Muslim) emperor Shah Jahan mausoleum (monument after death) for his wife, 1648 AD, 187 feet high. For 17 years 20,000 men worked daily. Materials came from all over central Asia: 28 kinds of rare, semi precious and precious stones like marble, diamonds, sapphires, lapis, jade, crystals, turquoise, and carnelian. Using 1000 elephants to transport.

Hour of Cowdust, Mughal period, Kangara School, 1790, color on paper

The Birth of Mahavira from the Kalpa Sutra Book, 1375-1400, color on paper

Qui z: Art of the Ancient Indian Sub-Continent 1. What modern day countries are a part of the ancient Indian Sub-

Continent?

2. Tell 1 thing about Hinduism

3. Tell 1 thing about Buddhism

4. What is the name of one of the worlds largest Buddha statues? What happened to it?

5. What is a stupa?

6. What is a mandala & what do Tibetan monks make them out of?

7. Name one of the worlds most recognized buildings. (Hint: The inside is covered in jewels.)

8. What country in North Central Asia is the oldest pile rug from?

+_______

10

3 pt.

1 pt.

1 pt.

2 pt.

1 pt.

2 pt.

1 pt.

1 pt.

Qui z: Art of the Ancient Indian Sub-Continent 1. What modern day countries are a part of the ancient Indian Sub-

Continent?

2. Tell 1 thing about Hinduism

3. Tell 1 thing about Buddhism

4. What is the name of one of the worlds largest Buddha statues? What happened to it?

5. What is a stupa?

6. What is a mandala & what do Tibetan monks make them out of?

7. Name one of the worlds most recognized buildings. (Hint: The inside is covered in jewels.)

8. What country in North Central Asia is the oldest pile rug from?

+_______

10 3 pt.

1 pt.

1 pt.

2 pt.

1 pt.

2 pt.

1 pt.

Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afganistan, India, and Sri Lanka

God’s are worshipped through rituals, began 1500 BC, from Vedic & indigenous beliefs…

4 basic teachings, life is suffering, suffering is caused by ignorance, ignorance can be overcome, overcome ignorance through right living.

Bramya Buddha, blown-up by Taliban

Buddhist Temple

Circular image of the universe, sand

Taj Mahal

Mongolia