Cultural Centre of India

Indian Culture Comes to You: Art of India

CinCinnati arts assoCiation, EduCation/Community rElations, 650 Walnut st., CinCinnati, oH 45202 PHonE 513-977-4116, Fax 513-977-4150

WWW.CinCinnatiarts.org, EduCation@CinCinnatiarts.org

Study Guide

Written by Padma Chebrolu, Cultural Centre of India

Edited & Designed by Kathleen Riemenschneider

Artists on Tour

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DescriptionThe artistic tradition of India is rich in its content and diversity. It spans a period of more than five

thousand years, extending its roots from Delhi to Chennai and from Mumbai to Calcutta. In this interactive workshop, Padma Chebrolu of the Cultural Centre of India will introduce you to the

art and culture of India, present pictures of artwork, introduce various artists, discuss the history of the art from ancient times to contemporary, and teach participants to create age appropriate designs and motifs.

Artwork from ancient to modern times on various materials will be shown and discussed. Rangoli, the traditional art of decorating courtyards and walls of Indian houses, and henna design art can also be presented.

cultural center of inDiaTo preserve and strengthen the culture and arts of India through dedication and discipline.

Ms Chebrolu started choreographing and directing dances and dance dramas from an early age in India. She attended different fine arts institutions, studying under several gurus. Her knowledge in various Indian classical dance, folk and contemporary dance styles and music gives her more freedom to work with any piece of music. Ms Chebrolu enjoys the challenge and satisfaction associated with each production. She performs and conducts workshops on culture and arts of India, all over the U.S., and says her in-depth approach to the discipline is both philosophical and spiritual.

Books5,000 Designs and Motifs from India by Ajit Mookerjee, ed. July 1996 From the Ocean of Painting: India’s Popular Paintings, 1589 to the Present by Barbara Rossi, et al.

May 2000Indian Art, Revised Edition (The World of Art) by Roy C. Craven, IntroductionFolk Designs and Motifs from India (Dover Pictorial Archive Series) by R. M. Lehri. November 1999 250 Stencil Designs from India (Dover Design Library) by K. PrakashThe Art of Mehndi by Sumita Batra with Liz Wilde (Contributor)

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rangoliRangoli (ran-goal-i, also known as Alpana, Kolam and by other names) is a traditional art of

decorating courtyards and walls of Indian houses, places of worship and sometimes eating places as well. The powder of white stone, lime, rice flour and other cheap paste is used to draw intricate and ritualistic designs. Each state of India has its own way of painting Rangoli.

One characteristic of Rangoli is that it is painted by commoners. On some special occasions it is painted in every home, with or without formal training in Rangoli art. The art is typically transferred from generation to generation and from friend to friend. Popular magazines publish new designs of Rangoli every week and on special occasions there are Rangoli contests.

Women use their bare fingers or a brush to create various designs from sandstone powder or grain-flour. Sometimes colors and petals are used in addition to flour paste. Some women are so skilled with their fingers that they can create figures of deities, chariots, temples, etc., on finely layered floors. Petals of various flowers, such as oleanders, cosmos, zenia, chrysanthemums, and green leaves provide the artist the ability to work out various patterns and colors. During evenings when oil lamps are lit and it is cool and pleasant, such floral designs create the atmosphere of a well-planned divine garden. This Rangoli garden surrounds the sacred spot where pooja (prayer) is performed or a child is seated for his or her birthday or naming ceremony. Newlyweds also receive guests in such decorated surroundings during wedding celebrations.

Most of the Rangoli designs are motifs of plants, flowers, leaves such as coconut, lotus, mango, and the animals such as cows, elephants, horses, and birds like eagles and swans. There are geometrical designs as well. When drawn with fingers, these acquire different dimensions on their own.

Teenage girl using white powder to draw Rangoli designs with the help of a book (left).

Woman using white paint to do Rangoli design (center).

Mother and daughter using white powder to make floral design Rangoli (right).

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activity 1 Try creating Rangoli designs based on the examples below.

Santa Claus at Christmas Time – Rangoli, use 15x20 dots template to draw the design (top). Colors can be used to decorate Rangoli designs, use 10x8 dots template to create this design (above).

Start these Rangoli designs (below) with the seed pattern above and then build around it. Use colors if needed.

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Try out some of these designs using dots as templates.

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Henna or MeHanDiMehandi is a henna leaf paste that is applied to the surface of the skin. Once removed it leaves

behind a vibrant dark orange-brown color that remains on the skin from several days to several weeks. The word mehandi translates to ‘henna’ and most often refers to the art of applying this natural

colorant onto the skin in intricate patterns. Although mehandi has been used since ancient times, today it is fusing itself into American culture.

Henna or mehandi as it is known is derived from a plant. The leaves of the plant have been used in India traditionally during auspicious occasions. The leaves from the tree were plucked and ground into a thick paste, which was applied in geometric designs on the palm and sole, before retiring for the night and is allowed to dry overnight. The following morning when the dried portion is washed off, a red pigmentation is left behind on the applied area. This style was mostly prevalent in South India, where more often a circular patch is applied in the center of the palm and a cap is formed over the fingers.

In the North, the habit of creating exquisite and intricate designs on the palm as well as the forearm has been in practice. In this case a dry powder form of henna is used. Mehandi is so popular and auspicious in the North that during weddings there is a special ceremony exclusively for applying henna to the bride. Henna, a proven coolant for the system, is used for medicinal purposes and also used to dye the hair.

The mehandi powder has to be made into a fine paste with a few drops of fresh lime juice. A cone or thin stick is used to apply the intricate designs. Syrup of fresh lime juice mixed with sugar is periodically applied in the semidry stages, to prevent flaking. When the surface is wiped clean after 5-6 hours, a red pigmentation is left behind.

People are turning to mehandi as a means to express themselves. Henna helps us to return to ourselves. It reminds us of the magic that connects us to the beautiful mystery that life holds. It is used as a reminder of happiness, a form of blessing for the wearer, and depending on its intent has a strong aphrodisiac quality.

Examples of Mehandi designs on the hands and feet.

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activity 2Draw or paint these designs.The symbols of mehandi designs go beyond what they look like. Symbols are living realities of

consciousness. They may seem to be simply a flower or abstract design, but they are thriving in relation to the wearer. They become a representation of your living essence, a healing talisman brought to you from your higher self. So it is best worn in the happiness and blessing that it is.

Complex Mehandi Designs

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This devotional scene shows people using henna as a way to present themselves formally for a sacred occasion.

More Complex Mehandi Designs

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Himalayan Art—These drawings are symbols taken from the sacred temple art of the Tibetan Buddhists.

Himalayan Devotional —The conch shell is used to announce the beginning of sacred ceremony. Its sounding can intensify an already ecstatic puja. It is used as a symbol in Himalayan temple art.

Indian Design—The mehandi designs from India vary tremendously. Full palm henna, fingertips, and endless combinations of lacy rhythmical design work prevail, along with the integration of pictures depicting paisleys, bride and groom, peacocks, elephants, hearts and sacred urns. It is used for weddings, holy days, festivals, births and parties.

Rajasthani—The art from the area of India known as Rajasthan is extremely integrated into daily life. Traditionally the women have created complex geometric drawings daily at the entrance of their homes, all of which was handed down from generation to generation. The star tetrahedron (to the left, fourth down) is an example of Rajasthani design.

Rajasthani Mehandi—In the Rajasthan region of India, women live very closely to the spirited world of pattern and design. Their vocabulary of design work has been handed down from generation to generation. It is a gift that still manifests today. Several days before weddings and festivals, they prepare themselves by indulging in a night of henna painting. The women look forward to it as part of the celebration, and it acts as a meditation on the coming event.

Classical Indian Dance Feet—Sacred dance includes henna as part of the preparation to transform oneself into the dance offering. Henna is applied around the base of the foot, usually with a medallion at the center. The fingertips are dipped and a solid circle is placed at the center of the palm. It purifies the dancer’s hands and feet, through which much of her sacred dance offering will be communicated.

Om—The om has many meanings, but it mainly implies peace. The universal sound of om, when chanted, takes us beyond our mere egoic activity ... to the place that resides in our hearts as god. Om is believed to be the beginning of the universe and remains the sound of the universe. This symbol is woven into Hinduism and is used in a very reverent, prayerful manner since ancient Sanskrit time. It is seen in sacred art and graffiti throughout India. Today in America it has become known for wishes of peace, happiness and oneness. “Let it be.”

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paintingSince the Indus period, India has boasted a well developed heritage in all forms of arts, including

architecture, literature, sculptures, painting, music, dance, and theatre. All of these were handed down traditionally by word of mouth, giving rise to clans specializing in a particular discipline.

Painting as an art form has flourished in India from very early periods, as is evident from literary sources and from remnants that have been discovered. Pictographs scratched on rock shelters in red and yellow ocher represent the earliest formidable examples of Indian painting. The urge of humans to capture and preserve the emotion born out of visualizing a spectacle led to more and more wonderful creations.

paintings By raja ravi varMa, faMous painter of inDiaRaja Ravi Varma (1848 - 1906) is famous for his paintings

based on Indian mythology and epics. Even at a young age (Ravi Varma used to draw on the walls) his talent was spotted by his uncle Raja Raja Varma, who gave him initial training in painting. Later he learned watercolor painting from the palace artist Rama Swami Naidu and oil painting from the British artist Theodor Jenson.

Towards the end of the 19th century, when there was a lack of vitality in Indian painting, he was one of the few artists who reintroduced Indian subjects in his works.

activity 3Observe the paintings on the following pages and write a half page analysis on each. What are

your thoughts on how the artist represents the culture of India in his painting? Discuss in groups.

Maharaja — a Hindu prince ranking above a raja

raja — an Indian prince or chief; the bearer of a title of nobility among the Hindus

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Painting of a Maharaja (above left); Woman carrying honey and milk in a brass plate (above center); Female Musician (above right); Young woman writing a love letter (below left); Woman sending a message to her loved one through a swan (below center); Royal family being released from the prison (below right)

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Scene from an epic (above left); Royal court scene (above center); Lady giving alms to a poor person (above right); Lady carrying a lamp (below left); Evil king stealing a princess (below center); Lady in the moonlight (below right)