3 Review(s)

This concise yet lively new survey guides the reader through 5,000 years of Indian art and architecture. A rich artistic tradition is fully explored through the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, Colonial, and contemporary periods, incorporating discussion of modern Bangladesh and Pakistan, tribal artists, and the decorative arts. Combining a clear overview with fascinating detail, Mitter succeeds in bringing to life the true diversity of Indian culture. The influence of Islam on the Mughal court, which produced the world-famous Taj Mahal and exquisite miniature paintings, is closely examined. More recently, he discusses the nationalist and global concerns of contemporary art, including the rise of female artists, the stunning architecture of Charles Correa, and the vibrant art scene. The very particular character of Indian art is set within its cultural and religious milieu, raising important issues about the profound differences between Western and Indian ideas of beauty and eroticism in art. Salient Features Only survey to cover fully all the key periods in Indian art - including colonial and contemporary art. Only survey to discuss women and art in detail: from tribal artists to contemporary feminist artists. Very enjoyable to read - manages to cover 5000 years of Indian art in a clear and succinct way while retaining much fascinating detail. An accurate story of Indian art - uniquely taking into account the Indian approach to life and art as opposed to imposing often incongruous western values on an entirely different culture - for example regarding responses to beauty and eroticism in art.