Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture)

by Bhagyashree Sarma | 2021 | 59,457 words

Hinduism Shilpashastra

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Summary: This essay studies the elements of Art and Architecture according to the Vishnudharmottara Purana (third Khanda) and its relevance in modern times. The work is encyclopedic in nature and is divided in three books. The third book contains 183 chapters dealing with a variety of artisan themes such as Architecture, Painting, Dance, Music, Dramaturgy, Grammar, Rhetoric, etc. Many chapters however, are devoted to Hindu Temple architecture and the construction of Deities and their installation rites and ceremonies.

Although English translations of the Vishnudharmottara Purana (or Visnudharmottara) exists partially, this thesis attempts to research the third book specifically, detailing upon the technical terms used in Vastu-shastra (science of architecture) and Shilpa-shastra (schience of sculpture, crafting or arts in general).

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Vishnudharmottara Purana (Art and Architecture) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Acknowledgement

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. 1. A General Note on Purāṇas

. 2. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa: An Introductory Note

. 3. A General Note on Art

. 4. A General Note on Architecture

. 5-8. The Present Thesis

. 9. Review of Literature

+ Chapter 2 - Music

. 1. A Note on Music

. 2. Origin and Development of Indian Music

. 3. Vocal Music (Gīta)

. 4. Instrumental Music (Vādya)

+ Chapter 3 - Drama and Dance

. 1.1. Definition and Origin of Drama

. 1.2. Characteristic Features of Sanskrit Drama

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (a): Acting

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (b): Costume and Make up

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (c): Bodily Movements

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (d): Dramatic Postures

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (e): Gatiprasāra (gait extension)

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (f): Dramatic Style

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (g): Characters

. 1.3. Elements of Drama (h): Sentiment (Rasa)

. 1.4. Types of Drama

. 2.1. Origin of Dance (Nṛtta) and Hand-postures (Hasta-mudrā)

. 2.2. Hand Postures (a): Asaṃyukta-hasta

. 2.2. Hand Postures (b): Saṃyukta-hasta

. 2.2. Hand Postures (c): Nṛtta-hasta

. 2.2. (d): Hand Gestures for Daśāvatāra

. 2.3. Standing Postures

. 2.4. Cārī (delicate movements of limbs)

. 2.5. Karaṇa (movements of legs and hands)

. 2.6. Dṛṣṭi (sight or glance)

+ Chapter 4 - Temple Building

. 1. Origin and Development of Temple building

. 2. Necessity of Temple Building

. 3. Site Selection for Temple Building

. 4. Materials for the Construction of Temple

. 5. Different Parts of a Temple

. 6. Different Types of Temple

. 7. Characteristic Features of Common Temples

. 8. Characteristic Features of Sarvatobhadra Temple

+ Chapter 5 - Painting and Image Making

. 1. Painting: The Concept

. 2. The Importance of the Term Citra

. 3. The Story Behind the Origin of Painting

. 4. Divisions of Painting (Citra)

. 5. Preparation of Canvas before Painting

. 6. Materials for Colours Used in Painting

. 7(a): Portrait of Men and Women

. 7(b): Portrait of Different Classes Projected in Painting

. 7(c): Natural Objects and Phenomenon in Painting

. 7(d): Portrait of Different Places in Painting

. 7(e): Reflection of Symbolization in Portrait through Painting

. 7(f): Personification Created by Painting in Portrait

. 7(g): Role of Eyes in Portrait Created in the Context of Painting

. 7(h): Connection of Sentiments with the Paintings

. 8(a): Image Making: The Concept

. 8(b): The Image of Various Gods

+ Chapter 6 - Modern Relevance of Different Art Forms and Architecture

. 1. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa and Modern Drama

. 2. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa and the Indian Classical Dances

. 3. The Viṣṇudharmottarapurāṇa and Modern Music

. 4. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa and Temple Architecture of India

. 5. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa and the Modern Paintings

. 6. The Viṣṇudharmottara-purāṇa and Modern Iconography

Chapter 7 - Conclusion

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Last Updated: 16 September, 2022

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