SSC CGL - Detailed Guide 2025
Self-Paced Course
Sculpture and Painting
Reference: Lucent GK, NCERT Class 6–12
Prehistoric Rock Paintings (Bhimbetka)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Bhimbetka Caves, Madhya Pradesh (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
| Period | Mesolithic to Chalcolithic (∼30,000 BCE onwards) |
| Themes | Hunting, dancing, animal figures, daily life |
| Colours Used | Red and white (from natural oxides), sometimes green and yellow |
| Significance | Earliest evidence of human artistic expression in India |
Indus Valley Seals and Figurines
| Art Form | Description |
|---|---|
| Seals | Made of steatite; featured animals (unicorn, bull), inscriptions in script |
| Figurines | Terracotta toys, bearded priest, bronze dancer (lost wax technique) |
| Notable Work | Bronze Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-daro — naturalism, confidence, fine detailing |
Mauryan Polished Sculptures
| Work | Description |
|---|---|
| Ashoka’s Lion Capital | Polished sandstone; 4 lions, abacus with Dharma Chakra (Sarnath) — now National Emblem |
| Yaksha–Yakshini | Semi-divine figures; full-bodied, sensuous forms; spiritual-protective figures |
| Material & Style | High polish (Mauryan polish), realism with symbolic depth |
Buddhist Sculpture – Mathura, Amaravati, Gandhara Styles
| School | Period | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Mathura | Indigenous | Red sandstone; robust figures; symbolic representation of Buddha |
| Gandhara | Greco-Buddhist | Grey schist; Hellenistic influence; realistic drapery; human form of Buddha |
| Amaravati | Satavahana | White marble; narrative panels; intricate detailing, emphasis on movement |
Temple Sculpture
| Site | Features |
|---|---|
| Ellora (Maharashtra) | Rock-cut caves; Hindu, Buddhist, Jain art; Kailasa Temple — monolithic marvel |
| Khajuraho (M.P.) | Chandela dynasty; erotic sculptures; detailed figures, celestial themes |
| Mahabalipuram (TN) | Pallava art; rock-cut Rathas and cave temples; Shore Temple — Dravidian style |
Medieval Sculptures (Chola Bronze Art)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Bronze (lost wax technique) |
| Theme | Primarily Hindu deities; most iconic — Nataraja (Shiva as cosmic dancer) |
| Style | Graceful posture, rhythmic movement, spiritual symbolism |
| Region & Period | Tamil Nadu; 9th to 13th century (Chola dynasty) |
Classical Indian Paintings
Styles
| Style | Features |
|---|---|
| Mughal | Persian influence; realistic portraits, court scenes, hunting, architecture |
| Rajput | Bold colours; themes from Ramayana, Krishna Leela; regional variants (Mewar, Marwar, Bundi) |
| Pahari | From Himachal Pradesh; lyrical, romantic; soft lines, natural landscapes |
| Deccan | Intricate patterns, rich colours; influenced by Persian & local styles |
Other Forms
| Form | Description |
|---|---|
| Miniature Paintings | Small-scale paintings on manuscripts, walls; exquisite detailing |
| Tanjore Paintings | South India (Tamil Nadu); rich gold foil work, divine figures, vivid colours |
Modern Indian Art
| Artist | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Raja Ravi Varma | Bridged European realism with Indian mythological themes; mass prints popularized gods |
| Amrita Sher-Gil | Influenced by European modernism and Indian themes; "India’s Frida Kahlo" |
| Bengal School of Art | Led by Abanindranath Tagore; spiritual, Swadeshi-oriented, rejected Western realism |
Developed By Roopasree Challa
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