Indian Art: Forms, Concerns and Development in Historical Perspective (History of Science, Philosophy and Culture in Indian Civilization: Vol. VI Part 3)

The volumes of the PROJECT ON THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHYAND CULTURE IN INDIAN CIVILIZATION aim at discovering the main aspects of India's heritage and present them in an interrelated way. These volumes, in spite of their unitary look, recognise the difference between the areas of material civilization and those ofideational culture. The Project is not being executed by a single group of thinkers and writers who are methodologically uniform or ideologically identical in their commitments. In fact contributions are made by different scholars with different ideological persuasions and methodological approaches. The Project is marked by what may be called 'methodological pluralism'. In spite of its primary historical character, this Project, both in its conceptualization and execution, has been shaped by many scholars drawn from different disciplines. It is for the first time that an endeavour of such a unique and comprehensive character has been undertaken to study critically a major world civilization like India. This volume offers essays by some of the most eminent art historians of India. The subjects range from Gandhara to Kerala, classical to folk arts and ancient times to the place of traditional arts in the world of today. Each essay is an authoriatative work by an expert in the field. Although they cover a wide range, the contributions share an interest in the artist, and the social and philosophical context of his work. The proceedings of the seminar, distinguished by lively discussions, have been transcribed and included here. The exchanges between scholars, as recorded here, and the essays presented, contain fresh insights and much new material. There are assessments here of work done, and pointers towards the direction in which the volume of art history in India might lie. The volume with its fifteen papers and index is a source book of great value to interested scholars of fine arts and general readers alike.