Arts Lesson.3rd Grading Period

ARTS IN SOUTH ASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA

yArts yIndigenous Arts yTraditional Arts yFolk Arts .

y Arts, refers to the creative design

..Hand production of decoratively designed done as a form of skilled craft. Indigenous Arts, is a natural form originating from its origin and belonging place. Traditional Arts, relating to the custom and tradition of the people in the community as a pattern of behavior and belief and practices valued by their great culture.

y Folk Art,.. carvings, paintings,

needlework, decorated utensils, and other artifacts created by artists and artisansoften anonymouswho have no formal academic training in the arts. y Folk art has existed in every culture, past and present. .extremely simple and trusting view of the world and human nature..

SOUTH ASIA COUNTRIES:

Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan India Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

Indian Folk Arts and Crafts Part IIy Indian folk crafts are nothing less than

works of art in themselves. The artisans who practice these arts toil through many days to produce just one piece which is perfect in technique and composition, besides, it has bears the heritage of generations of master craftsman. Here in the concluding part of the two article series on Indian folk arts and crafts we present some unusual crafts and materials that make Indian folk art so unique.

The Indian Arts Crafts ......

Bambooo

The precise cutting of the bamboo by craftsmen of the "cane and bamboo ...

Weave from cane or bamboo. Mixed of modern and traditional necklace.

Cane & Bamboo Craft, utilitarian items .

cane-&-bamboo-crafts that finds expression in the music of such artists like Bhupen

Cane and Bambooy In the north-east of India is the state of Manipur

rich in forest resources and especially bamboo. Here bamboo is used in a versatile manner to create delicate items like vases, ashtrays and other decor items, as well as, utilitarian items like baskets, chairs, tables, mats and sofas. In some areas where Kauna (a water reed) grows this product is used to make intricately woven cushions, coasters and bags. In fact Imphal in Manipur is considered the centre of Kauna crafts.

y Further east in the state of Orissa a local golden

grass is used by women to weave tablemats, handfans and floormats. They are famous for their beauty in weave and design and also for their lasting quality.

Besides in Orissa, women are also involved in making decorative items from bamboo. Using basic tools like scissors, needles and wooden rods they create intricate patterns of wall hangings, folk figures, coasters and animals.

y The most unique aspect of their creations

is the lacquer work on the bamboo items which is done exclusively in Navrangapur of Korapet district of Orissa. The lac is melted and mixed with pigments to get the desired shade. This is then drawn in threads and applied on the bamboo items to create floral and geometric designs, especially on the base of items.

Toys and Puppetsy Orissa in the East is a land steeped in culture and

mythology, with the great Konark Temple famous for its cravings, the state also has a tradition of storytelling through puppets. These puppets called jatra are made of wood and hand painted. They are then dressed as per the characters from folklore that they are to represent, strings control their movements. In other parts of the state nomadic actors present plays to the village audiences, they wear masks made from papier mache and light drift wood to portray different characters.

y In the desert state of Rajasthan are

the famous kathputhlis or puppets. They are made primarily in Jaipur and Jodhpur. The Bhatt community which makes them also gives performances across the state using the puppets to enact tales from mythology and popular folk tales. The colourful characters often include a courtesan, horse rider, snake and snake charmer.

y In Manipur, children still play with

traditional dolls and toys made form bamboo and wood. The dolls are dressed in traditional finery and are now considered a decor item. Besides they also depict Gods and Goddesses and animals and birds.

Orissa has a rich tradtion of toys, dolls, puppets and masks

Toys Of Assam Toys speak a lot about the culture and tradition of a place.

Puppets, Toys and Dolls:-. In India, toys and dolls have a history as old

y Hand-Embroidery

Embroidery has been practiced around the world by men and women alike. But now with the advent of technology, machines have taken over and machine embroidery is the norm of the day.

y Which is why hand-embroidery, still

practiced in India, reveals itself more as a work of art with traditional motifs and designs taking centre stage?y In Manipur, the main styles of hand

embroidery that are practiced include Namthang-Khut-hut, Khamenchatpa Kabui, Singh Nangpan (Flag Design) Motrangphee is (Temple Design). Men and women both practice the art to create figures from popular legends, animals, brids and floral patterns on handkerchiefs, bed-covers, tablecloths etc.

y The state of Orissa is famous for its

appliqu works. Bright coloured cloth is cut into shapes of animals, birds, flowers and then stitched onto the base cloth. Sometimes little geometric shapes come together to create a collage that is a riot of colour. The appliqu works decorate fans, canopies, bags, wall hangings, table mats... In fact huge colourful umbrellas decorated with appliqu work are an essential part of marriages and religious ceremonies.

y Dress and the embroidery often serve as a badge

denoting ethnicity in India. The western state of Gujarat is often regarded as the textile capital of India, it is also known for the unique embroidery styles practiced here. Along with the intricately woven patterns, the region is most famous for its Abala or mirror work, where tiny pieces of mirror are embroidered onto the pattern being held in place by a web like border of colourful silken threads. y Most of the embroidery depicts traditional motifs of flora and fauna which have been passed down generations from mother to daughter. In fact even today, a girls skill at embroidery is crucial in determining a good match in marriage.

With its patchwork design, fine hand embroidery

wall tapestries in hand embroidery with mirror on handloom

The exhibition presents complementary bodies of artwork by Indian artist ...

NATIVE INDIAN WOMAN HANDS

Potteryy In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is the

Azamgarh district where the artisans create the unique black pottery. The deep black colour is derived by mixing the clay with mustard oil seed cake. The floral and geometric designs are then etched into the pottery which is shaped in the form of cups, saucers, vases, jugs etc. The etched surface is then given a silvery colour by rubbing it with an amalgam of mercury and tin.

The pottery is characterised by a unique turquoise blue colour which is derived from cobalt oxide. The pottery creation of pots, vases, plates and cups etc are works of arts in themselves with intricate painting of flowers, animals and birds. y According to legend, the emperors would use this particular pottery to gauge if their food had been poisoned or otherwise tampered with, apparently the glaze of the pottery would change colour as an indicator!y

y

Indian_Pottery

Original Native American Indian pottery art

indian_pottery

Native Indian Art: Indigenous-Art Pottery

Paper Craftsy The papier mache of Kashmir is famous

throughout the world. The wood based papier mache is sourced from the forest opine known as Kaylier. The creation of these objects takes a great amount of skill. Brilliantly bright colours are used to decorate the items like bowls, boxes, vases, lampshades etc. Some of the items also have real silver and gold dust used as embellishments. The craft is supposed to have travelled to Kashmir from Iran which explains the typical Islamic patterns and motifs commonly used.

Architectural paper craft lit from behind.

Architectural paper craft lit from behind. Created by artist Crackpot ...

Lacy Lac is a kind of resin-like secretion from an

insect found in the forests of India, it has a reddish hue. It is used in different parts of the country to create primarily various items of jewellery. In Orissa it is used to make combs used by men and women alike. In Bihar and Rajasthan, the lac is combined with dyes to make beautiful bangles, earrings and other jewellery. Some jewellery items are also inlaid with beads, small mirrors and crystals to make a fashion statement.

Indian-bangles Brightly colored lac bangles

Leathery In central India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh,

small animal sculptures are made from leather. Iron wire is used for creating the framework around which dry grass is wrapped. A coating of flour made from tamarind seeds and papier mache is then applied and allowed to dry. All through this process the anatomical details of the animal are crafted with great attention to detail. Then a layer of soft goat skin is stitched onto the structure. This is then buffed, polished and details like eyes are painted on using bright natural colours.

bekka designs leather jacket bead and bone bajayes..

The Mola art is re-used in the shoes after the Kuna Indian women wear them ..

Culture of Bangladeshy Bangladesh has a long history in its culture. The

land, the rivers, and the lives of the common people formed a rich heritage with marked differences from neighbouring regions. It has evolved over the centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of several social groups of Bangladesh. The Bengal Renaissance of the 19th and early 20th centuries, noted Bengali writers, saints, authors, scientists, researchers, thinkers, music composers, painters and film-makers have played a significant role in the development of Bengali culture.

y The Bengal Renaissance contained the

seeds of a nascent political Indian nationalism and was the precursor in many ways to modern Indian artistic and cultural expression. The culture of Bangladesh is composite and over centuries has assimilated influences of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. It is manifested in various forms, including music, dance and drama; art and craft; folklore and folktales; languages and literature, philosophy and religion, festivals and celebrations, as also in a distinct cuisine and culinary tradition.

Music, dance, drama and film

Bangladeshi artists performing in a dance show

y The music and dance styles of

Bangladesh may be divided into three categories, classical, folk and modern. The classical style has been influenced by other prevalent classical forms of music and dances of the Indian subcontinent, and accordingly show some influences dance forms like Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi. The folk and tribal music and dance forms of Bangladesh are of indigenous origin and rooted to the soil of Bangladesh.

Festivals and celebrations

y Festivals and celebrations are integral

part of the culture of Bangladesh. Prominent and widely celebrated festivals are Pohela Baishakh, Independence day, National Mourning Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ulAzha, Muharram, Durga puja, and Language Movement Day.

Eid ul-Fitry As the most important religious festival for the

majority Muslims, the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr has become a part of the culture of Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh declares holiday for three days on Eid-ul Fitar. People living in towns having their families or parents in villages go to their country homes to meet relatives and celebrate the festival together. All outgoing public transport from the major cities become highly crowded and in many cases the fares tend to rise in spite of government restrictions.

Adult Muslim males in Bangladesh assemble at the Eid Ghah for prayer in the morning of the Eid day On Eid day, Eid prayers are held all over the country, in open areas like fields or else inside mosques.

y The biggest congregation of Bangladesh is held at

Sholakia in Kishoreganj, where about half a million people join the Eid prayer.[1] Banglapedia article on Eid-ul FitarAfter the Eid prayers, people return home, visit each other's home and eat sweet dishes called Shirni. Throughout the day gentlemen embrace each other. It is also customary for junior members of the society to touch the feet of the seniors, and seniors returning blessings (sometimes with a small sum of money as a gift). In the rural areas Eid festival is observed with great fanfare. In some areas Eid fares are arranged. Different types of games including boat race, kabbadi, other traditional Bangladeshi games as well as modern games like football and cricket are played on this occasion. In urban areas people play music, visit each other's houses and eat special food.

Eid ul-Adhay The celebration of Eid ul-Adha is similar to Eid ul-

Fitr in many ways. The only big difference is the Qurbani or sacrifice of domestic animals on Eid ulAdha. Numerous temporary marketplaces of different sizes called Haat operate in the big cities for sale of Qurbani animals (usually cows and goats). In the morning on the Eid day, immediately after the prayer, affluent people slaughter their animal of choice. Less affluent people also take part in the festivity by visiting houses of the affluent who are taking part in qurbani. After the qurbani a large portion of the meat is given to the poor people.

Pohela Boishakh

y Phela Boishakh is the first day of the Bangla

Calendar. It is usually celebrated on the 14th of April. Pohela Boishakh marks the start day of the crop season. Usually on Phela Boishakh, the home is thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned; people bathe early in the morning and dress in fine clothes. They spend much of the day visiting relatives, friends, and neighbours and going to fair.

y Fairs are arranged in many parts of the

country where various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics, as well as various kinds of food and sweets are sold. The fairs also provide entertainment, with singers,dancers and traditional plays and songs. cockfights, flying pigeons, boat racing were once popular. All gatherings and fairs consist a wide spread of Bengali food and sweets. The most colourful New Year's Day festival takes place in Dhaka

y Horse races, bull races, bullfights,

Language Movement Day

y Language Movement Day is a unique part of the

culture of Bangladesh. Every year on February 21 this day is observed to pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to establish Bengali as the official language of then East Pakistan in 1952. The mood of the day is sad and humble. The celebration of Language Movement Day goes on the entire month of February.

y Ekushey Book Fair is a book fair arranged to mark

this occasion every year. The fair has also become an integral part of the culture of Bangladesh. Authors and readers in Bangladesh eagerly await the fair each year. To commemorate this movement, Shaheed Minar, a solemn and symbolic sculpture, was erected in the place of the massacre. Today the Shaheed Minar is the centre of cultural activities in Dhaka. On the morning of February 21 each year, people from all walks of life including the national leaders pay tribute to the martyrs by leaving flowers at Shaheed Minar.

Weddingsy A traditional wedding is arranged by Ghotoks

(matchmakers), who are typically friends or relatives of the couple. The matchmakers facilitate the introduction, and also help agree the amount of any settlement. Bengali weddings are traditionally in five parts: first it is the bride and groom's Mehendi Shondha,the bride's Gaye Holud, the groom's Gaye Holud, the Beeya and the Bou Bhaat. These often take place on separate days.

y The first event in a wedding is an informal one:

the groom presents the bride with a ring marking the "engagement" which is gaining popularity. For the mehendi shondha the bride's side apply henna to each other as well as the bride For the bride's Gaye Holud, the groom's family - except the groom himself - go in procession to the bride's home.Bride's friends and family apply turmeric paste to her body as a part of Gaye Hoof bride, and they are traditionally all in matching clothes, mostly orange in colour.

y The bride is seated on a dais, and the

henna is used to decorate the bride's hands and feet with elaborate abstract designs. The sweets are then fed to the bride by all involved, piece by piece. The actual wedding ceremony "Biye" follows the Gaye Holud ceremonies. The wedding ceremony is arranged by the bride's family. On the day, the younger members of the bride's family barricade the entrance to the venue, and demand a sort of admission charge from the groom in return for allowing him to enter.

y The bride and groom are seated separately, and a

Kaji (authorized person by the govt. to perform the wedding), accompanied by the parents and a Wakil (witness) from each side formally asks the bride for her consent to the union, and then the groom for his. The bride's side of the family tries to play some kind of practical joke on the groom such as stealing the groom's shoe. The reception, also known as Bou-Bhat (reception), is a party given by the groom's family in return for the wedding party. It is typically a much more relaxed affair, with only the second-best wedding outfit being worn.

Sportsy Football, cricket and kabaddi. Kabaddi is the

national sport of Bangladesh. Cricket is a game which has a massive and passionate following in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has joined the elite group of countries eligible to play. y Whenever there is a cricket or football match between popular local teams or international teams in any local stadium significant number of spectators gather to watch the match live.

Religion in Bangladesh

y Bangladesh is ethnically

homogeneous, with Bengalis comprising 98% of the population. The majority of Bangladeshis (about 90%) are Muslims, and a small number of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists are also in the country.