Ajanta and Ellora Caves
India has always been referred to as the “Sone ki Chidiya,” or the Golden Sparrow, because of its great cultural legacy. The earliest types of Indian art date back to about 3500 BC, and both cultural and religious factors have had a significant impact on their development. Whether they be paintings, sculptures, poems, or musical compositions, the diverse culture of the nation leaves a lasting impression on these works of art.
India is recognized for being both spiritual and modern, having been incredibly gifted with both a beautiful landscape and a glorious past! Through this blog, we will take you on a joyous journey through Indian art history, examining its turning points in greater detail as well as providing a thorough review of its many styles and forms.
A Brief History of Indian Art post-independence
Indian art has its roots in the earliest days of civilization. Most Indian art styles are believed to have started during the peak of the Indus Valley Civilization. In a nation as complex and large as India, perceptions of culture and history can be challenging to grasp. India is a nation characterized by great cultural, spiritual, linguistic, and geographic diversity. India’s post-independence artists aimed to define a contemporary and distinctive national character. They incorporated elements of several artistic movements in novel ways to convey both their rich cultural history and the reality of the 20th century.
Ancient art is noticeable in the Ajanta Ellora caves, in the Bhimbetka rock caves, and in numerous other ancient sites. Paintings have developed as a storytelling, religious, and everyday life portrayal tool. The popularity of paintings like Warli, Madhubhani, and scrolls has grown over time. We have put together a thorough table listing the various forms discovered during these eras to assist you in understanding the development of Indian art across time.
| Time | Indian Art and painting |
| Indian Art from Ancient Times | Bhimbetka Prehistoric Art Indus Valley Art (2nd Century B.C.) |
| Early Indian Art | Gandhara and Kushan School’s Buddhist Art (1st Century A.D.) Ajanta and Ellora Caves (5th Century A.D.) Badami Chalukyan Art (6th Century A.D.) |
| Medieval | Deccan Chola Art (10-13th Centuries A.D.) The Hoysala Art of Halebid and Belur (12th Century A.D.) The Temples of Khajuraho(10th Century A.D.) Konark & Kalinga Art(13th Century A.D.) |
| 15th-19th Century Art | Moghul Miniatures Indo-Saracenic Architecture (Taj Mahal) Dakhani Miniatures(17-19th Century) Mysore and Tanjore Schools of Art |
| Modern Indian Art | Raja Ravi Varma Paintings Textbook Illustrations Modern Buildings (Lotus Temple) |