Vibrant Colors Of I N D I A

Vibrant Colors of INDIAVibrant Colors of INDIA

India is inherently is a colorful nation and India is inherently is a colorful nation and black and white photographs can never do black and white photographs can never do complete justice to India's vast diversity. complete justice to India's vast diversity.

How true!How true!

Presented by: Dr. Prashant MehtaPresented by: Dr. Prashant MehtaAssistant ProfessorAssistant Professor

National Law University, JodhpurNational Law University, JodhpurEmail: [email protected]: [email protected]

NAMASTENAMASTE

India is a diverse experience. The mystiqueIndia is a diverse experience. The mystiqueof India, its history, philosophy, religions, of India, its history, philosophy, religions, fabulous historical monuments, fairs andfabulous historical monuments, fairs andfestivals, art and culture, handicrafts, thefestivals, art and culture, handicrafts, thesplendour of erstwhile maharajas, and itssplendour of erstwhile maharajas, and itsmyraid, colorful facets have attractedmyraid, colorful facets have attractedvisitors down the ages who came and foundvisitors down the ages who came and foundthe India-experience intriguing andthe India-experience intriguing andunforgettable. Here I am about to show youunforgettable. Here I am about to show youa collection of spectacular array of picturesa collection of spectacular array of pictureswhich will show you true vibrant colors ofwhich will show you true vibrant colors ofINDIA.INDIA.

SACRIFICIAL OFFERINGSACRIFICIAL OFFERING

Offering made during sarad for departed Offering made during sarad for departed souls of the family. Usually very popular souls of the family. Usually very popular in brahmin communityin brahmin community

A FORTUNE TELLERA FORTUNE TELLER

Face Painted by Sacred AshFace Painted by Sacred Ash

COLORS OF WILDCOLORS OF WILD

• Indian subcontinent is home to Indian subcontinent is home to a great number of wild a great number of wild animals. Shown here is The animals. Shown here is The Indian tiger is commonly Indian tiger is commonly known as 'Bengal Tiger' (felis known as 'Bengal Tiger' (felis tigress) and belongs to the cat tigress) and belongs to the cat family. family.

• The tiger is about the height of The tiger is about the height of a lion, but the body is longer. It a lion, but the body is longer. It is of lively fawn color above a is of lively fawn color above a pure white below, irregularly pure white below, irregularly crossed with deep brown crossed with deep brown stripes. stripes.

• It generally pitches upon a It generally pitches upon a concealed spot near water concealed spot near water sources and springs upon the sources and springs upon the animals that approach to drink animals that approach to drink water. water.

• Tiger-hunting was a favorite Tiger-hunting was a favorite sport in India, which sport in India, which endangered its very existence endangered its very existence itself. This necessitated itself. This necessitated introduction of 'Project Tiger'.introduction of 'Project Tiger'.

FANCY HEAD GEARFANCY HEAD GEAR

Fancy Head Gear, mostly worn by villagers to beat Fancy Head Gear, mostly worn by villagers to beat the summer heat the summer heat

FANCY DRESSFANCY DRESS

Fancy DressFancy DressEntertainer at a village festival, Karnataka Entertainer at a village festival, Karnataka

COLOR OF PERSONALITYCOLOR OF PERSONALITY

Colorful Rumal, Colorful PersonalityColorful Rumal, Colorful PersonalityFolk artist from Dharwad. Note the ash on his Folk artist from Dharwad. Note the ash on his forehead and beads around the neck. forehead and beads around the neck.

FOREVER MERRYFOREVER MERRY• While the Western societies While the Western societies

glamorized and glamorized and commercialized the commercialized the flowers, it is only the flowers, it is only the Indians who have blended Indians who have blended their lives with flowers. their lives with flowers.

• Traditionally, the days Traditionally, the days began with men and began with men and women plucking flowers for women plucking flowers for worship.worship.

• Marriages and festivities Marriages and festivities are special occasions to are special occasions to engage in floral design and engage in floral design and decorations.                        decorations.                            

          • Lord Krishna is believed to Lord Krishna is believed to

have said   "Bring me have said   "Bring me flowers or even water, with flowers or even water, with devotion, and I will be devotion, and I will be pleased" pleased"

Rich or poor, the Hindu Rich or poor, the Hindu worshippers always offer worshippers always offer flowers to their deity and the flowers to their deity and the flowers are a popular item to flowers are a popular item to sell on the streets.sell on the streets.

In the Hindu thought, the In the Hindu thought, the blooming of a flower is often blooming of a flower is often described the described the Magic of the Magic of the Master Master (God's (God's MayaMaya) and ) and glorified by ancient poets and glorified by ancient poets and artists.artists.

FOREVER MERRYFOREVER MERRY

ENCOUNTERING SUN GODENCOUNTERING SUN GOD

Encountering Sun GodEncountering Sun GodThe mask used in the worship of Sun God (Somana The mask used in the worship of Sun God (Somana Kunita), BangaloreKunita), Bangalore

COLORS OF RAJASTHANCOLORS OF RAJASTHAN

A Couple riding camel on the sands of Thar desert. A Couple riding camel on the sands of Thar desert. The hardships of the desert have inspired a The hardships of the desert have inspired a colorful lifestyle in the state.colorful lifestyle in the state.

EXPENSIVE COLORSEXPENSIVE COLORS

Expensive ColorsIndian's passion for gold can be traced to very early times. Here, a piece of Mysore Maharaja's jewelry

DÉCOR OF FOLK ARTISTDÉCOR OF FOLK ARTIST

Decor of a Folk Artist Decor and expression of a Decor of a Folk Artist Decor and expression of a Yakshagana  Performer Yakshagana  Performer

COLORS OF SPIRITCOLORS OF SPIRIT• India always has been a fertile ground for man's desire India always has been a fertile ground for man's desire

to know God. Here, a Jain Teerthankar in prayer. In line to know God. Here, a Jain Teerthankar in prayer. In line with the founder's austerity, the Jain is admonished to with the founder's austerity, the Jain is admonished to follow an ethical program of exacting discipline. The follow an ethical program of exacting discipline. The distinctive principle of Jainism is ahimsa, or nonviolence distinctive principle of Jainism is ahimsa, or nonviolence toward all living creatures, in both thought and action. toward all living creatures, in both thought and action.

• The two principal sects, The two principal sects, SvetambaraSvetambara (white-clad) and (white-clad) and DigambaraDigambara (skyclad, or unclothed), diverged by about (skyclad, or unclothed), diverged by about A.D. 82.A.D. 82.

FACE PAINTINGFACE PAINTING

• Painted face of a young boy. Painted face of a young boy.

• The decorations and the mask of a Kathakkali The decorations and the mask of a Kathakkali dancer from South Indiadancer from South India..

GHASTLY BLUEGHASTLY BLUE

• Angry Goddess (Kali) tears apart the evil demon Angry Goddess (Kali) tears apart the evil demon

SOBER BLUESOBER BLUE

As a calming color, it produces feelings of constancy and faith and can reflect images of sensitivity, truth, sleep, hope, friendship, wisdom, loyalty and ones desire to nurture.

The Sober Blue – City of JodhpurLighter shades of blue can be associated with understanding, health,tranquility, protection, peace, and general happiness. It sharpens the power to perceive, heightens spiritual awareness, and increases one’s patience. is the color of nobility and tranquility. It has elements of healing, peace, the psychic. Blue is the color of the element of Water - symbolic of the ocean, sleep, twilight, and the sky.

PAINTED PUPPETPAINTED PUPPET

Now a fast vanishing art in South India, painted puppets Now a fast vanishing art in South India, painted puppets have entertained folklore for generations. The puppets have entertained folklore for generations. The puppets are made with leather and then painted. The movements are made with leather and then painted. The movements are controlled by threads and sticks.are controlled by threads and sticks.

BLACK BEAUTYBLACK BEAUTY

In India, colors are highly symbolic. However a bit of black acts as a visual magnet. Black absorbs all colors and negativity. Black is a powerful color. In a positive light is portrays virtues of constancy, prudence and wisdom. purity, binding, repelling, remembrance and protection. It is a color of sexuality, formality, elegance, wealth, and mystery.

Colors of History

This starting surface (This starting surface (bhittibhitti or or mani bhoomimani bhoomi) is prepared by ) is prepared by using a mixture of powdered bricks, clay, kernels of Bilva (a using a mixture of powdered bricks, clay, kernels of Bilva (a type of fruit, type of fruit, Aegle marnelosAegle marnelos), guggula gum, beeswax, jaggery ), guggula gum, beeswax, jaggery and oil in different proportions. Lime prepared from seashells and oil in different proportions. Lime prepared from seashells is also an important ingredient for this mixture, along with the is also an important ingredient for this mixture, along with the sawdust of a particular bark.sawdust of a particular bark.

The mixture, after being stored for about a month, is applied to The mixture, after being stored for about a month, is applied to the wall to obtain a smooth surface. It should be as bright as a the wall to obtain a smooth surface. It should be as bright as a crystal in order to be able to obtain the desired results.crystal in order to be able to obtain the desired results.

From the beginning of From the beginning of time, Indians have used time, Indians have used hues and color in their art. hues and color in their art. Here, ancient mural from Here, ancient mural from Karnataka From the Karnataka From the ancient texts on fine arts, it ancient texts on fine arts, it can be gathered that the can be gathered that the basic necessity for the basic necessity for the style is a smooth, plastered style is a smooth, plastered surface. That means it does surface. That means it does not demand a wet surface not demand a wet surface as in the frescoes of Italy.as in the frescoes of Italy.

Folk paintingHoly Cow and Mango Tree- Mithila painting

Perhaps the best known genre of Indian folk paintings are the Mithila (also called Madhubani) paintings from the Mithila region of Bihar state. For centuries the women of Mithila have decorated the walls of their houses with intricate, linear designs on the occasion of marriages and other ceremonies, Painting is a key part of the education of Mithila women, culminating in the painting of the walls of the kohbar, or nuptial chamber on the occasion of a wedding. The kohbar ghar paintings are based on mythological, folk themes and tantric symbolism, though the central theme is invariably love and fertility.

The Color of the NightIlluminated Entrance to Mysore Palace

Celebratory GreensStrings of mango leaves indicate festive occasion

There is really something about living a life that is close to nature, perhaps the way humans were meant to live. Using natural fibers for clothing, and fruits of the nature for decor, and utility are some of the examples, even though such use is temporal or short-lived. We have compiled this exhibition to illustrate how the Indians have blended natural products in their daily living -- using cow-dung  as an antiseptic, and leaves as plates for eating.

Stamped in Red

A vermilion mark on the forehead is considered to bring good luck. It must have come in vogue when the cave-men fought fiercely for the same mate and the victorious one decorated her forehead with his rival's blood.

Colors of Rangoli

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

Nomadic Colours

The Lambanis (a.k.a. Lambadis, Romanis) are the nomadic tribes of India. They go from place to place in search of a livelihood. They have their own language, culture and a unique social structure. It is fairly well accepted that the Gypsies found today all over eastern Europe and the Balkans actually migrated from India centuries ago.

The Lambanis mostly lead a poor, uneducated, and yet a very colorful life.

Tribal Jewellery

• When a young Gonda woman goes around fully decorated with silver jewelry, she reminds one of  the Shila-Balika of Belur. To appreciate and to admire her artistic jewelry itself is quite an experience, and even the women-libbers who shun jewelry may have to reconsider! 

• Some bangles are solid and many are hollow. The Gondas do not believe in broad bangles, so they have to custom-snug-fit by the jeweler. Once worn, they cannot be removed, and are worn life-long. The bangles worn for special occasion (removable) have a hinge mechanism. 

Fish EyesBharatanatyam Dancer Strikes a Pose

Classical ColorsFacial of a Bharatanatyam classical dancer reveals the perception of traditional beauty in South India.

Tree Worship

• Infact tree worship is one of the oldest forms of religion in India." The holy Basil is as holy as Lord Vishnu.

• Women have been worshipping it with the desire for good fortune and well beings of her lineage.

• Taking bath with water, in which basil leaves have been mixed, gives virtues similar to that of all the pilgrimage.

The use of the leaves of holy basil in the ceremonies like ‘Shraddh’ and ‘Tarpan’ gives indestructible virtues to the dead ancestors.

• If the last rite of a dead person is performed in the wood of basil plant, it helps his soul to attain to the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Indian Art

• The styles and varieties in this list of paintings from India are as diverse as the nation itself. The following list includes wall paintings, calendar paintings, oil classics, miniatures and even cave paintings. They are culled from different time periods and we hope that studying them will provide the viewer an appreciation of  the history of art in India.

• The Arts of India are the illustration of the religious life of the Hindus. Like their faith, the arts have been preserved for the past three thousand years, from change and decay, from foreign invasions, and from  the fury of the nature. We owe its preservation to the future generations. For, it exemplifies how life can indeed revolve around the arts.

Indian Tribals

The tribal people of India constitutes 8.08 percent of the total population of India. They are generally inhabiting in different ecological and geoclimatic conditions mostly inaccessible to other people. So each tribal group is distinct from the other in ethnic affinity and social practices. They are having some salient features which make them unique. The cultural identification or way of living is still strong among them.

Colors of Indian Music

Music has always occupied a central place in the imagination of Indians. The range of musical phenomenon in India, extends from simple melodies, commonly encountered among hill tribes, to what is one of the most well- developed "systems" of classical music in the world. Indian music can be described as having been inaugurated with the chanting of Vedic hymns, there are references to various string and wind instruments, as well as several kinds of drums and cymbals, in the Vedas. Music may include vocal, instrumental, fusion , bhajans and folklores.

Color of Indian Villages• Scattered throughout

India are approximately 500,000 small villages. It is in villages that India's most basic business--agriculture--takes place. Here, too, flourish many of India's most valued cultural forms.

• Viewed from a distance, an Indian village may appear deceptively simple. A cluster of mud-plastered walls shaded by a few trees, set among a stretch of green or dun-colored fields, oxcarts creaking, cattle lowing, and birds singing--all present an image of harmonious simplicity. Artist portray colorfully garbed village women gracefully carrying water pots on their heads.

• In actuality, Indian village life is far from simple. Most villages are characterized by a multiplicity of economic, caste, kinship, occupational, and even religious groups linked vertically within each settlement.

Color of Festival Diwali, the Festival of

Lights, is one of the most colorful occasions in India. Prayers are said to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.

The origin of this festival can be traced to the Hindu mythologies.

According to a section of the population, Lord Vishnu rescued Goddess Lakshmi from King Bali on Diwali.

According to another group, Goddess Lakshmi emerged on Diwali from the milky way (Ocean of Milk).

Diwali is also celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama from Lanka after his victory over Ravana.

In South India, Diwali is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura.