Fine Arts Test - 10

The correct answer is Varnikabhanga.

Key Points 

• Sadanga:
  • The word “Sadanga” consists of two words, one is “Shad” means "Six‟ & the other is “Anga” which means "Part‟.
  • The concept of Sadanga was first explained by Vatsyanaya in his book 'Kamasutra'.
  • Sadanga consists of the six limbs, or canons of art, on which the whole art of painting depends.
  • The Sadanga is the most important part of every great Indian painting.
• Varnikabhanga:
  • ​It is an artistic way of making use of the brush and colours.
  • The term Varnikabhnaga means the way a subject is being drawn and coloured.
  • It is the principle that focuses on the way the strokes are being applied to a canvas and the knowledge of the artist about the
    different colours.

Additional Information

• Sadrisya: 
  • Sadrishya suggests the degree to which a depiction is similar to an artist's vision or the subject itself. In a way, it is also a way of depicting similitude.
  • It enhances the character of any individual and makes him complete in itself.
• Lavanya Yojana:
  • It means to bring about a sense of beauty or the grace of the characters in the painting in a dignified and organised manner in the painting.
• Bhava:
  • Bhava means an emotion, a feeling, an intention, or an idea. This aspect of art is depicted in the form of feelings expressed by the subject.

The correct answer is Bhimbhetka Caves.

Key Points

• Wizard's Dance painting:
  • Wizard Dance is a pre-historic painting drawn on one of the Cave walls of Bhimbetka.
  • In this painting, a special dance celebration of aboriginal people is painted.
  • All three figures are shown in full of rhythm and movement. On the left of the painting, there is a full standing figure in a lively dancing pose. A lady figure wearing a mask with horns on her head is sitting in a dancing mood while a male having a mask with horns is dancing with full rhythm in front of her.
  • This painting is the earliest evidence of the development of music and dance in which masks were used.
  • The human figures drawn in paintings are geometric, linear, schematic, bold, and lyrical.
  • The colours used are prepared from different mineral stones and wood charcoal.

Additional Information 

• Ajanta Caves:
  • The Ajanta Caves are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments.
  • They can be dated from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
  • They are universally regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
  • The Ajanta Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
• Seals of Indus Valley Civilization:
  •  Archaeologists have discovered thousands of seals, mostly made of steatite, and occasionally of agate, chert, copper, faience and terracotta.
  • Figures of animals were inscribed on these seals such as unicorn bull, rhinoceros, tiger,  elephant,  bison, goat, and buffalo.
  • The purpose of producing seals was mainly commercial.
  • It is also assumed that the seals were also used as amulets, carried on the persons of their owners, perhaps as modern-day identity cards.
  • The standard Harappan seal was a square plaque 2×2 square inches.
  • The horse was an animal that was unknown to the Harappan Civilization.
  • The most remarkable seal called Pasupati found from Mohenjodaro was the figure in the centre and the animals around him. This seal is generally identified as the Pashupati Seal by some scholars whereas some identify it as a female deity. This seal depicts a human figure seated cross-legged. An elephant and a tiger are displayed on the right side of the seated figure, while on the left a  rhinoceros and a buffalo are seen. In addition to these animals, two antelopes are shown below the seat. Seals such as these date from between 2500 and 1900 BCE and were found in considerable numbers in sites such as the ancient city of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley. Figures and animals are carved in intaglio on their surfaces.

• Pasupati Seal from Mohenjodaro
• Ellora Caves:
  • Ellora Caves are a group of caves located in Maharastra, central India.
  • All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
  • The Ellora Caves are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and are celebrated for their Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and monuments dating back to the 6th to 8th century CE.
  • The most spectacular example is the 8th century CE Kailasa temple which, at 32 metres high, is the largest rock-cut monument in the world.

The correct answer is Indo-Islamic architecture.

Key Points

•  Pietra dura:
  • Pietra dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stones to create images.
  • It is considered a decorative art.
  • Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones;
  • This technique was extensively used in Indo-Islamic architecture.

• Pietra dura work on Indo Islamic architecture

Additional Information

• Gupta Art:
  • The Gupta period is also known for its Hindu and Jain sacred imagery fashioned from terracotta, stone, and metal.
  • Surviving terracotta examples include sculptural plaques that were meant to adorn the walls of temples.
  • Important temples built by the Guptas are Dasavatar Temple of Deogarh, Vishnu Temple of Tigawa Jabalpur, Shiva Temple of Bhumara, Parvati Temple of Nachria Kathura., Mukund Darra Temple of Kota etc.
•  Mural Paintings:
  • Mural painting is applied to the surface of a wall or ceiling.
  • The existence of mural paintings in India dates back from the 2nd century BC to the 8-10th century CE.
  • Some of the places where this painting is found include- Ajanta, Bagh, Sittanavasal, Armamalai cave, Ravan Chhaya rock shelter and Kailashnath temple in Ellora caves etc.

• Mural painting in Ajanta Cave
• Rajput Palaces:
  • The Hill Forts of Rajasthan such as Amer, Chittor, Gagron, Jaisalmer, Kumbhalgarh, and Ranthambore, a group of six forts built by various Rajput kingdoms and principalities during the medieval period are among the best examples of Rajput Architecture.
  • The Udaipur Palace located on lake Picholawas built by Maharana Udai Singh, and the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur was built by Raja Jai Singh are world-famous for Rajput architecture.
  • . The most significant feature of these palaces is the balcony or the stone window called Jharokha.
  • There are floral designs carved on the doors, passages, pillars and ceilings. Sculpturing of the various legends like fairies, spirits and others are there.

• Jharokha of Hawa Mahal

The correct answer is Yaqut of Dabul.

Key Points

• Gol Gumbaz:
  • Gol Gumbaz is situated in Bijapur in the Bijapur District of Karnataka.
  • It is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah, the seventh Sultan of the Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur (1489–1686).
  • The name is based on "Gol Gumbadh" derived from "Gola Gummata" meaning "circular dome".
  • Gol Gumbaz or the rose dome is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, built by architect Yaqut of Dabul.
  • The tomb is a complex of buildings such as a gateway, a Naqqar Khana, a mosque and a Sarai located within a large walled garden.
  • The Gumbaz is a monumental square building topped with a circular drum over which rests a majestic dome, giving the building its nomenclature.
  • It is built of dark grey basalt.
  • The tomb chamber contains the burial place of the Sultan, his wives and other relatives.

• Gol Gambuz in Bijapur

Additional Information

• Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the architect of the Taj Mahal.
• Edwin Lutyens was the architect of India Gate.
• Hiroji Indulkar was the architect of Raigad Fort.

The correct answer is Mohenjodaro.

Key Points

• Pasupati Seal:
  • The most remarkable seal found from Mohenjodaro was the figure in the centre and the animals around him.
  • This seal is generally identified as the Pashupati Seal by some scholars whereas some identify it as a female deity.
  • This seal depicts a human figure seated cross-legged. An elephant and a tiger are shown on the right side of the seated figure, while on the left a  rhinoceros and a buffalo are seen. In addition to these animals, two antelopes are shown below the seat.
  • Seals such as these date from between 2500 and 1900 BCE and were found in considerable numbers in sites such as the ancient city of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley.
  • Figures and animals are carved in intaglio on their surfaces.

• Pashupati Seal of Mohenjodaro

Additional Information

• ​Harappa:
  • Harappa is an archaeological site belonging to Indus Valley Civilization located in Punjab, Pakistan.
  • The site takes its name from a modern village located near the former course of the Ravi River.
  • Precious stone-like Lapiz lazuli was found in Harappa.
• Lothal:
  • Lothal was one of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation's southernmost settlements, located in Gujarat.
  • In 1954-63, archaeologist S.R. Rao discovered the harbour city of Lothal.
  • Lothal's most notable feature is its artificial dockyard.
  • The city was divided into two sections: the citadel, or acropolis, and the lower town.
• Kalibangan:
  • Kalibangān is on the left or southern banks of the Ghaggar in Rajasthan.
  • A wooden furrow and seven fire altars in a row have been discovered indicating the practice of sacrifice
  • Chickpeas and peas were also discovered.
  • Camel's bones have been discovered at Kalibangan.
  • The burials discovered are of round and rectangular graves.
  • Kalibangan's bricks were made of dirt, and the structure was not well-planned.
  • There was no drainage system.
  • Kalibangan is also a location that has provided evidence of the first recorded earthquake. The earthquake, which occurred around 2600 BCE, is said to have led to the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.

The correct answer is Ajanta Caves.

Key Points

• Ajanta Caves:
  • The Ajanta Caves are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments.
  • They can be dated from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
  • They are universally regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
  • The Ajanta Caves were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
• Image of Padmapani:
  • The painting of Padmapani Bodhisattva is inscribed in Cave No.1 of Ajanta.
  • He is described as holding a lotus.
  • He is the sign of compassion, the listener of the world's cries who comes to the earth to aid. He appears in Theravada Buddhism.

• Image of Padmapani in Ajanta Caves

Additional Information

• Ellora Caves:
  • Ellora Caves are a group of caves located in Maharastra, central India.
  • All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty.
  • The Ellora Caves are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and are celebrated for their Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and monuments dating back to the 6th to 8th century CE.
  • The most spectacular example is the 8th century CE Kailasa temple which, at 32 metres high, is the largest rock-cut monument in the world.

• Ellora Caves
• Badami Caves:
  • The Badami cave temples are a complex of Hindu and Jain cave temples located in Badami in the Bagalkot district, Karnataka. 
  • Badami is a modern name previously known as Vatapinagara, the capital of the early Chalukya dynasty.
  • The Chalukyas ruled much of Karnataka from the 6th to the 8th century.

• Badami Caves
• Kanheri Caves:
  • The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located on the western outskirts of Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
  • Kanheri flourished under the patronage of Satavahana, Traikutakas, Vakatakas and Silaharas and through donations made by the wealthy merchants of the region.
  • The earliest reference to Kanheri is ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during 399-411 CE.

• Kanheri Caves

The correct answer is Horse.

Key Points

• Archaeologists have discovered thousands of seals, mostly made of steatite, and occasionally of agate, chert, copper, faience and terracotta.
• Figures of animals were inscribed on these seals such as unicorn bull, rhinoceros, tiger,  elephant,  bison, goat, and buffalo.
• The purpose of producing seals was mainly commercial.
• It is also assumed that the seals were also used as amulets, carried on the persons of their owners, perhaps as modern-day identity cards.
• The standard Harappan seal was a square plaque 2×2 square inches.
• The horse was an animal that was unknown to the Harappan Civilization.

• Animals depicted on seals and Unicorn seals (from left to right).

The correct answer is Bhimbhetka Caves.

Key Points

• Zoo Rock at Bhimbhetka Caves:
  • Bhimbhretka Caves are located in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Discovered by Dr Vishnu Wakankar in 1958.
  • Paintings found in Bhimbhetka reveal that the stone age men took interest in artistic activities around 1 lakh years ago.
  • "Zoo Rock" shows different kinds of animals like elephants, barasingha (swamp deer), bison and deer.

• Zoo Rock at Bhimbhetka

Additional Information 

•  Karla Cave:
  • The Karla Caves are a group of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves at Karli near Lonavala, Maharashtra.
  • The main cave called the Great Chaitya cave, or Cave No.8, features a large, intricately carved chaitya, or prayer hall, dating back to 120 CE. This is the largest rock-cut chaitya in India, measuring 148 ft.
  •  The shrines were developed over the period from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE.
  • Traders and Satavahana rulers granted the construction of these caves. 

• The largest Chaitya belongs to Karla Cave
• Bagh Caves:
  • The Bagh Caves are a group of 5 caves consisting of Buddhist mural paintings and are located in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • These rock-cut cave monuments are not natural but were carved over some time during ancient India mostly during the Satvahana period. 
  • The most significant of the five caves is Cave No. 4, commonly known as the Rang Mahal, meaning the Palace of Colours, where paintings on the wall and ceilings are still visible.

• Bagh Caves
• Kanheri Caves:
  • The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments located on the western outskirts of Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
  • Kanheri flourished under the patronage of Satavahana, Traikutakas, Vakatakas and Silaharas and through donations made by the wealthy merchants of the region.
  • The earliest reference to Kanheri is ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during 399-411 CE.

• Kanheri Caves

The correct answer is Rupabheda.

Key Points It means

• Sadanga:
  • The word “Sadanga” consists of two words, one is “Shad” means "Six‟ & the other is “Anga” which means "Part‟.
  • The concept of Sadanga was first explained by Vatsyanaya in his book 'Kamasutra'.
  • Sadanga consists of the six limbs, or canons of art, on which the whole art of painting depends.
  • The Sadanga is the most important part of every great Indian painting.

• Rupabheda:
  • It is one of the 6 limbs of painting which means the outer appearance of the subject.
  •  To create a painting, an artist needs to have sound knowledge of the different forms that exist. He has to know how a form of life differs from a form of death. Both have their characteristic features and sublimity.

Additional Information

•  Lavanya Yojana:
  • It means to bring about a sense of beauty in a dignified and organised manner in the painting.
• Pramanam:
  • It teaches the exact measurement, proportion and distance of the subject.
• Varnikabhanga: 
  • It is the principle that focuses on the way the strokes are being applied to a canvas and the knowledge of the artist about the different colours.

The correct answer is Vatsyanaya.

Key Points

• Sadanga:
  • The word “Sadanga” consists of two words, one is “Shad” means "Six‟ & the other is “Anga” which means "Part‟.
  • The concept of Sadanga was first explained by Vatsyanaya in his book 'Kamasutra'.
  • Sadanga consists of the six limbs, or canons of art, on which the whole art of painting depends.
  • The Sadanga is the most important part of every great Indian painting.
  • The Six Limbs are: 
    • Roopbheda: Outer form of appearance
    •  Pramana: Correct size and measurement
    •  Bhava: Expression
    •  Lavanya yojanam: Presentation with grace
    •  Sadrishyam: Similitude
    •  Varnikabhangam: Use of brush and colour in an artistic manner

Additional Information

• Bharat Muni:
  • He is the writer of the book 'Natyasastra'  which is a  detailed treatise and handbook on dramatic art that deals with all aspects of classical Sanskrit theatre.
• Varahamihir:
  • He was an Indian philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician.
  • He is the author of the Panchasiddhantika, a compendium of Greek, Egyptian, Roman, and Indian astronomy.
  •  Varahamihira wrote the Brihatsamhita, an influential encyclopedic text in Sanskrit.
• Panini:
  • He was a Sanskrit grammarian.
  • He wrote Astyadhyayi.