Pre-Colonial Art in South Asia

Many of the paintings, installations, photographs, as well as new media's that are being produced by contemporary Indian Artists have little similarities to the works made previous to the introduction of the western methods, styles and principles, but there does remain a likeness. That likeness may be insignificant but it remains that the works below, are the first pages to a book that is currently being written. Although the art of today in India is very different, these works below are from periods which are fundamental of the evolution of Indian experience. Although, this is a rather cursory amalgamation of India's rich artistic history... I hope it can help in understanding contemporary Indian art more fully.

For more than 2000 years, previous to 1857, artists made a living by patronage from Indian royals.

Emperor Asoka (c.269-232 BCE) was one of the first patrons of Buddhist art and architecture. He employed large numbers of artisans, many of whom migrated from distant lands - bringing their styles, mediums, knowledge, and religions with them.¹

Ex. Iranian artisan stone carvers came to Asoka after the fall of the Achaemenids.²

General view of the excavation underway at Sarnath, 1904-06.
The sculptures visible here were eventually moved to the Sarnath MuseumShiva and Parvati at the Photographers, 1980s.
Chromolithograph; 35.5 x 25.5 cm.
Private collection

The statue above is said to be an example of Persian/Iranian craftsmanship made during Asoka's reign.³ There is an importance in noting that the men who made crafted these were most likely not Buddhist. This is only one instance apart of a theme which is galvanized in the history of Indian art: an inherit lack of free-will or a individualist sense on the part of the artist - mostly perpetuated by the myriad people who for centuries been the patrons and directors of classical Indian art.

The four lions stand facing the four cardinal directions; beneath them are animals and wheels which are all representative of aspects of Siddhārtha Gautama.⁴ The statue now resides in a museum of Sarnath. Interestingly, this statue is the direct model for the statue currently on top of India's parliament building.

The painting above is a page from the Ramayana manuscript commissioned by Maharana Jagat Singh of Mewar between 1649-1652.⁵This is a typical painting from the era. At the time, many of the paintings that Rulers comissioned were put into emmense books, that depicted epic stories or collections of paintings. These ornate books were made by artisans who worked in Karkhanas - artisan workshops that had a hierarchical nature.

At the top of the Karkhana would be the master artist - he received the commissions and orders from the royal court.

Below the master would be a number of different artisans, each with different and individual skills.

From the paper makers, to the painters, to the framers, to the book binders, etc, a book would finally be made and put into the collection of the patron.

Below is an excerpt from a history book made of emperor Akbar's reign and life. This is an example of what artists in South Asia were being paid to do. Although the artists may have felt contrary to the beliefs and stories expressed in their works, they still did it. The artists of this time were selfless and many of their names were not even recorded - just as with all three pictures on this page.