Indian Art & Culture Notes for UPSC and State PCS Exam

Description

Indian Art & Culture Notes for UPSC and State PCS Exam

1. Introduction to Indian Art & Culture

• Definition of Culture and its Components
• Sources of Indian Culture (Literary, Archaeological, Foreign Accounts)
• Evolution of Indian Art & Cultural Heritage
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (Cultural)

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2. Prehistoric and Protohistoric Art

• Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic Art
• Rock Art (Bhimbetka Caves)
• Indus Valley Civilization Art
  • Town Planning
  • Sculptures and Seals
  • Pottery and Ornaments

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3. Indian Architecture through the Ages

A. Ancient Indian Architecture

• Mauryan Art and Architecture (Pillars, Stupas, Caves)
• Post-Mauryan Developments (Shunga, Satavahana, Kushana)
• Gupta Period Architecture (Temples, Caves, Monasteries)

B. Medieval Indian Architecture

• Early Medieval Temple Architecture (Nagara, Dravida, Vesara Styles)
• Islamic Influence on Indian Architecture (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Architecture)
• Regional Kingdoms and their Architectural Contributions (Vijayanagara, Rajput, Deccan, Sikh, Maratha Architecture)

C. Modern Indian Architecture

• British Colonial Architecture
• Indo-Saracenic Style
• Post-Independence Architecture (Le Corbusier, Charles Correa)

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4. Indian Sculpture and Iconography

• Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Sculptures (Yaksha-Yakshi, Gandhara, Mathura, Amravati Schools)
• Gupta Period Sculptures (Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh)
• Chola Bronzes and South Indian Iconography
• Medieval Sculptural Traditions (Hoysala, Pallava, Chalukya)

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5. Indian Paintings

• Prehistoric Rock Paintings (Bhimbetka)
• Mural Paintings (Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Sittanavasal)
• Miniature Paintings (Pala, Jain, Mughal, Rajput, Kangra, Pahari, Deccan)
• Modern Indian Paintings (Raja Ravi Varma, Bengal School, Progressive Artists Group)

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6. Indian Music

A. Classical Music

• Hindustani Classical Music (Gharanas, Ragas, Instruments)
• Carnatic Classical Music (Kritis, Ragas, Composers)
• Classical Music Instruments (String, Percussion, Wind)

B. Folk and Tribal Music

• Regional Music Forms (Bihu, Baul, Lavani, Pandavani, Bhavageete)
• Devotional and Sufi Music (Bhakti & Sufi Traditions)

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7. Indian Dance Forms

• Classical Dance Forms (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Sattriya, Mohiniyattam)
• Folk Dances of India (Bihu, Garba, Ghoomar, Chhau, Yakshagana, Bhangra, Kalbelia)
• Dance Institutions and Government Initiatives

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8. Indian Theatre and Puppetry

• Sanskrit Theatre (Natyashastra, Kalidasa’s Works)
• Folk Theatre (Nautanki, Jatra, Tamasha, Bhavai, Therukoothu)
• Modern Indian Theatre
• Puppetry Traditions (Kathputli, Shadow Puppets, String Puppets, Glove Puppets)

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9. Indian Literature

A. Ancient Indian Literature

• Vedic Literature (Shruti, Smriti, Upanishads, Puranas)
• Sanskrit Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata)
• Buddhist and Jain Literature (Tripitaka, Jataka, Agamas)

B. Medieval Indian Literature

• Bhakti & Sufi Literature (Kabir, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Guru Nanak)
• Persian and Urdu Literature (Amir Khusrau, Ghalib)

C. Modern Indian Literature

• Colonial Period Writers (Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand)
• Post-Independence Indian Literature (R.K. Narayan, Mulk Raj Anand, Arundhati Roy)

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10. Indian Religions and Philosophy

• Hinduism (Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Smritis, Bhagavad Gita)
• Jainism and Buddhism (Teachings, Scriptures, Influence)
• Sikhism (Guru Granth Sahib, Teachings of Gurus)
• Islam and Christianity in India
• Philosophical Schools (Vedanta, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimansa)

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11. Festivals of India

• Religious Festivals (Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Baisakhi, Guru Purab)
• Harvest Festivals (Pongal, Bihu, Onam, Makar Sankranti)
• Cultural and Regional Festivals

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12. Indian Crafts and Handicrafts

• Textiles (Banarasi Silk, Chikankari, Kalamkari, Pashmina, Bandhani)
• Metal Crafts (Dhokra, Bidriware, Kundan, Meenakari)
• Pottery (Blue Pottery, Terracotta, Black Pottery)
• Tribal and Folk Art (Warli, Madhubani, Pattachitra, Gond)

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13. Indian Cinema and Television

• Evolution of Indian Cinema (Silent Era, Talkies, Bollywood, Regional Cinema)
• Contribution of Indian Cinema to Freedom Struggle
• National Film Awards and Major Indian Filmmakers
• Growth of Indian Television and Digital Media

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14. Cultural Institutions and Policies

• Important Cultural Institutions (ASI, IGNCA, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi)
• Government Schemes for Cultural Preservation (HRIDAY, PRASAD, Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana)
• International Cultural Relations (ICCR, UNESCO)

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15. Indian Martial Arts and Traditional Games

• Martial Arts (Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Silambam)
• Traditional Games (Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, Chess)