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Architecture of India||Introduction||Temple Architecture|| Cave Architecture||Rajput Architecture|| Jain Architecture || Indo-Islamic Architecture||Colonial Architecture||Modern Architecture||Sculpture in India||World Heritage Sites|| Indian Sculpture|| Chola Bronzes || SCULPTURE IN INDIA As
far as the origin of sculpture is concerned, it goes back to the
Stone Age. The Megalithic people buried their dead and constructed
monumental stones over them and worshipped them. The change The
sculpture in India started appearing from 3rd century BC with the
stone pillars of Ashoka, the stupas
and Toranas of Sanchi, Bharhut,
Amravati
and the rock-cut viharas
of Barabar,
Bhaja,
Pitalkhoda,
Karle,
Bedsa,
Ajanta
and others and The
earliest archaeological evidence of sculpture work in metal,
terracotta, wood and stone in the Indian sub-continent is provided
by the remains found at the pre-Harappan sites of Baluchistan, the
Makran areas of Pakistan and Kalibangan in Rajasthan, dating back to
3000 BC. Literary evidence Modern
Sculptors: Modern
sculpture, like other mediums of art, has experienced a revival. While the traditionalists continue to follow the rhythmic,
decorative tradition of the Gupta and Chola periods, there is a
growing breed of modern sculptors who are endeavouring to simplify
the art form and to bring in contemporary elements and social
awareness into their art. Sculptors
of this group freely assimilate art forms of Europe and other places
to evolve their own individualistic styles. Some of the modern sculptors are Amarnath Sehgal (Conquest of Moon, Collection in White House, Rising Spirit), P. Ramachandra Kamat, Panchal Rajnikant, Dhanraju Bhagat, Jairam, D.P.Choudhury, Sankha Choudhury, Raghav Kaneria, S.Dhanapal, P.V.Janakiram, C.Dakshinamoorthy, P.S.Nandhan, S.Parmavisam, Vidyashankar Sthapathy, S.Nandagopal, Chintamoni, Nandgopal Shankar, Niranjan Pradhan, Pradosh Kusum Das Gupta, Meera Mukherjee and Jashu Shilpi. ||Introduction||Temple Architecture|| Cave Architecture||Rajput Architecture|| Jain Architecture || Indo-Islamic Architecture||Colonial Architecture||Modern Architecture||Sculpture in India||World Heritage Sites|| |
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from worshipping the ancestral spirits to a personal God is
reflected in making icons of the God with his specific attributes.
Tiny terra-cotta seals discovered from the Indus Valley reveal
carvings of peepal leaves, deities and animals. The famous
figurine of the dancing girl of Mohenjodaro bears witness to the
fact that the tradition of sculpture and bronze casting goes back to
the Indus Valley Civilisation and shows tremendous sophistication
and artistry. 
continued till the12th century AD. During the reign
of the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, nearly 85,000 stupas
were constructed. Many awe-inspiring statues exhibiting a serene
Buddha, with a glowing face were crafted in large numbers. Though,
Buddhism deplored idol worship, human forms of Lord Buddha began to
be depicted with features like a halo around the head, the dharmachakra
engraved upon his palms and soles of his feet, and the lion throne
representing his royal ancestry.
from the Rigveda states that copper and
bronze-smithy was a specialized science and that craftsmen were held
in high esteem. Whether it is in wood, stone or ivory, the Indian
carver-craftsman has been extremely versatile in applying his
techniques and designs to various media. Carved wooden facades and
fixtures of dwellings, domestic shrines, temples, churches and
palaces of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kashmir and Kulu in Himachal Pradesh
are marked by intricate designs. In Punjab and Haryana, there exists
a tradition of clay wall relief in appliqué. India is also famous
for producing a startling range of terracotta figures, ritual and
secular utility objects and toys for children.