The present volume entitled Nature, Tradition and Originality-A Collection of Essays' is based on articles written by Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan over a period of four decades. They focus attention on some key concepts that permeate the discourse on artistic theories in the Indian tradition.
The article in the first section, Alternate Paradigms of Knowledge, deals with evolution of categories in the Indian context. The next article on Indriyas is concerned with the question of the sense perceptions in the Indian tradition.
In another major section, the focus is on Śiva, Šiva as represented in architecture and sculpture and Śiva as was manifested in a major exhibition curated by Stella Kramrisch in Philadelphia. Śiva is also the theme of an article which focusses attention on geometry of the image of Națarăja.
In another section the focus shifts from Śiva to Krishna, and similarly traces the history of the representation of Krishna in the Indian arts through sculpture and paintings from sources ranging from the Bhagavatapurāņa to the multiple traditions of miniature paintings.
Internationally recognized as a leading scholar in the diverse fields of Culture and the Arts, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan's work is inter-disciplinary and spans a vast geographical area, particularly Asia. Her publications include path-breaking works such as Classical Indian Dance in Literature and the Arts and the Square and the Circle of the Indian Arts, as also Indian Classical Dance: Traditions of Indian Folk Dance; Traditional Indian Theatre: Multiple Streams: Dance in Indian Painting; and Bharata: The Natyaśāstra. She has explored the many dimensions of the poem Gita-Govinda-the literature, manuscripts, the relationship of the text, poetry and the painting: she has published six monographs, besides directing a multimedia presentation. Her recent publications are Plural Cultures and Monolithic Structures- Comprehending India' and 'Metaphors of the Indian Art and Other Essays'. Dr. Vatsyayan has been acclaimed as Editor of two major volumes-The Concepts of Space and The Concepts of Time. Besides, she has been General Editor of seven volumes of IGNCA's Kalatattvakośa series, an inter-disciplinary exploration of Indian key concepts, as also of the Kalämülaśāstra series on fundamental texts bearing on Arts. She has edited The Cultural Heritage of India, Vol. VII (in two parts) for the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, and co-edited Aesthetic Theories and Forms in Indian Tradition, for the Centre for Studies in Civilizations. Dr. Vatsyayan has been Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Arts, a member of the Rajya Sabha; member of the UNESCO Executive Board, and President, India International Centre. She is currently chairperson of IIC-Asia Project.
She is a recipient of many honours, including Padma Vibhushan from the Government of India and D.Litt (honoris causa) from several universities in India and abroad; so also the first Asian woman to be awarded the Thalia Prize by the International Association of Theatre Critics.
The present volume comprises articles written by the author over a period of four decades. The articles are divided into five sections. The first section focusses attention on alternative systems of knowledge. Alternate Paradigms of Knowledge speaks of the nature of evolution of categories in the Indian tradition. The second article Indriyas gives an inter-disciplinary perspective of the concept of indriyas pertinent to disciplines ranging from the early Vedic and Upanishadic sources to Ayurveda, to many other branches of knowledge. Sensory perception is a primary concern in practically every discipline of the Indian tradition. Of course, senses and sensory perceptions have been the concern of other traditions: mention may be made of the discussion on the subject in the Greek tradition, specially in the sphere of Aesthetics.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist