5.

The Kushana phase of Art and Culture

• Beginning of the Golden phase of Indian Art
• Kushana rule opened the gateway for active interaction of Indian
Culture with those of Central and Eastern Asia.
• these further paved the way for exchange of ideas with the other
advanced artistic traditions of the ancient world, like the Graeco-
Roman traditions
• Development of various schools of art
• Era of immense influence and local-regional developments
• Era of excellence in several fields including religion, philosophy and
literature
Contd.

• Extension of Buddhism to different parts of the world and division of

Buddhism into Hinayana (Southern School, Lesser Vehicle) and
Mahayana traditions (Northern School, Greater Vehicle)
• Hinayana tradition continued to use Pali language as a medium of
communication in its literature while the Mahayana tradition made
Sanskrit the vehicle of its literature
• Hinayana Buddhism continued to represent Buddha through symbols
while the Mahayana Buddhism started making images and statues of
Buddha
• Era of erotics, expressions and scenic beauty in the works of art and
literature
• Indian artists had learnt to acquire new skills and bring a better
culmination of diverse ideas
The Gandhara school of art
The Gandhara school of art
Main Features
• The Gandhara School of art was closely connected to the Mahayana Buddhism
• It bears a distinct influence of the old Greek school of art
• The geographical location of Gandhara made it the meeting point of Indian,
Chinese, Persian and Graeco-Roman Cultures and ideas
• Thus we find a nice culmination of ideas which led to the birth of the Gandhara
School of Art
• The main theme of this art was Buddha and Bodhisattvas
• It used Indian themes but used the material and ideas of Graeco-Roman art
• Thus we can say that the inspiration ,perception and conception were Indian
while the means, material and execution were foreign and the final product
became a real achievement of Indian Art and a source of inspiration for the
coming generations
Contd.

• It flourished in Afghanistan and North-Western India with prominent

centres at Taxila, Peshawar, Begram and Bamiyan
• The entire period of this school of art is around 1st century BCE TO 4TH
century CE (AD)
• Besides free standing images many chaityas, viharas and stupas were
constructed
• Extensive use of black stone was used besides stucco (a fine plaster)
• Images are realistic, natural and common features are depicted
• Even though the images are technically perfect they do not reflect a
higher level of spiritualism
• Image of Greek gods like Apollo and other kings were also made
Major Graeco-Roman influence on Gandhara Art include
• Halo round the head of Buddha
• Wavy hair
• Forehead lines
• Wrinkles
• Ornaments
• Compassion
• Muscular frame of body
• Transparent garments
• Fold of the garments very natural
• Flowing drapery
• Buddha depicted like Greek god Apollo
Buddha in Different Poses
The Fasting Buddha
The Preaching Buddha
Influences of Greeco-Roman art on Gandhara Art
PORTRAITS: BUDDHA, ALEXANDER, A LADY
Poses
Expressions
Dress
Bamiyan Buddhas
The Mathura School of Art
Main Features

• It was based on the indigenous art traditions but with the coming up of Kushana
rule in Mathura a greater level of development took place
• This school of art flourished around the Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh
• Artistic traditions began in the middle of 2nd century BCE but it progressed more
around the 1st century CE (AD)
• Extensive use of locally available spotted (mottled) red sandstone from the Sikri
mines for making images
• The first images of Buddha were made here and this idea of making images of
Buddha later spread to other places including Gandhara
Contd.

• Besides Buddha images we also find many other images of Jain

tirthankaras
• Images of gods and goddesses like Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvati ,
Kuber were also made
• Images of Kushana emperors Kanishka and Huvishka were also made,
however their head seems to be destroyed later
• The emperors’ images show the use of long coats, tight trousers, high
boots
• Most of the images at Mathura school of art were not made in correct
proportions and this defect was rectified during the following age of
the Gupta emperors
Details of Mathura images
• Buddha has been shown sitting cross-legged
• Boldness in expressions
• More of power less of compassion
• Shaven head
• Hair has not been dressed
• Protuberance on the top of the head
• Abhaya mudra of hands
• Drapery and clothes shown in a very simple manner
• Shoulders are broad
Kushana Emperors at Mathura
Mathura :Kushana Courtesan: missing Drapery
Mathura : Other sculptures
Comparison between Mathura and Gandhara Art
Comparison between Mathura and Gandhara Art
The Amaravati school of art
Main Features

• Amaravati is in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh

• The Amaravati school of art is also known as the Vengi School of Art
• It developed in the lower valleys of Krishna-Godavari region
• Amaravati and Nagarjunikonda were the two major centres of this school
• It was patronized by the Satavahana and the Ikshvaku kings of Deccan
• Famous for Mahayana Buddhist art and sculpture
contd

• Amaravati stupa was made of marble

• Its gateways has images of lion
• Amaravati figures are lean, beautiful, curvy and mobile even when resting
• Flowers and lotus motifs are carved frequently
• Various postures create an interest in activities of each individual
• Light and joyful mood is often reflected in images
Contd.

• Buddha’s body has been depicted in a very thin and slender form, even ribs are
visible
• Amaravati school of art is naturalistic and sensual
• Female figurines are made in different postures
• Feminine beauty is better depicted at Amaravati than at Mathura school of Art
• The Amaravati School of art had a great influence on the later period sculpture of
south India and even in Sri Lanka and South-East Asia
Amaravati Art
Amaravati Art
Amaravati Stupa
The Bharhut Sculptures
The Ellora Cave Sculpture
Nagarjunikonda Stupa

• Stupa is in concentric form

• There were two domes, one constructed within the other
• Domes at Nagarjunikonda were properly decorated with the use of
coloured tiles
The Sculptures at Nagarjunakonda
The Sarnath School
The Sarnath School: Preaching Buddha
Sarnath Sculpture and Architecture: Later Periods
The Sleeping Buddha: Parinirvana of the Buddha, Sri Lanka
Changing Tastes: A Review