MASH Podcast multiple

The podcast will focus on the Nagara style of temple architecture, expanding on the definition of sub-categories (Rekha Prasada or latina, etc.) with examples. 

The episode will delve into the architecture of one of the first temples constructed under the patronage of Gupta kingdom, whose reign was known as the golden age. While discussing the lineage of Gupta rulers and their contribution to the Indian art and architecture, we shall also elaborate on Udaigiri caves, providing in detail the concept of Rock cut architecture.

The podcast will also revisit the significance of the structures/ parts of the temple.

In continuation to Nagara style, the various schools (such as Solanki, Chalukyas, Maru- Gurjara schools, among others) under several consecutive patronage will be elaborately discussed. 


\Written by Urvi C, Modified by Davangi Pathak, and Final Revisions by Medha Sharma. 

  
The third podcast will explore the mythological aspect of temple architecture in India. 
A temple is a corpus of extensive Hindu mythology, depicting myths from puranas in mandapas as a representation of secular life, images of gods and goddesses in garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), and other decorative motifs. 


We will further focus on the iconography of Gods, Goddesses, semi-gods, etc., and how their formal attributes have modified over time, while citing examples of specific temples. 


Since the podcast is about mythic narratives, we also intend to delve into the comparative angle with world myths.


Image credits: Asit Jain, Wikimedia Commons 


Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; modified by Davangi Pathak.

 

The second episode focuses on the making of the temple, elaborating the plan of the temple, which is the Vastupurusamandala, as mentioned in the ancient textual sources. 
We will further elaborate on the evolution of the temple architecture - From a temple with just a garbha griha and mandapa to the inclusion of antarla (vestibule) to several mandapas, eventually forming temple towns. 
Image Credits: Kalleshvara Temple, 10th century AD, Rashtrakuta period, Bagli, Karnataka, Photo by Dinesh Kannambadi, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Urvi C, Modified by Davangi Pathak, and Final Revisions by Asmita Singh. 

The Episode begins with contextualizing the essence of being in the temple– how one feels or behaves in the temple and how the temple has been significant in India. We also dwell upon the Buddhist architecture that led to the foundation of a dedicated place for devotion followed by the philosophy of the “sacred”. Further, we focus on the prominent religions of India, viz Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, which became the ground for the construction of several sacred sites. We also explore the concept of Tirtha, a sacred site, as explained by Stella Kramrisch. We discuss the symbolic meaning of each temple structure starting from the bottom which is the jagati to the kalasa, the top, attributing that transpires a devotee while experiencing higher consciousness. Image Credits: Harvinder Chandigarh; Written by Urvi C; Hosted by: Hanima Nawaz; Modified by Davangi Pathak, and Final Revisions by Asmita Singh. 

Shivani Aggarwal's works come from a process of continuously breaking herself to understand not just the world around her but the world within her. Her process is an emotional premonition of her own situation or condition. Over the past few years she has been involved with creating, enlarging , bending and twisting common everyday objects that she finds in her regular environment. Her art practice has evolved into a three-dimensional installation in wood, terracotta, fibreglass and thread. Her use of red thread in her previous body of works has been a significant emotion of expression. They are symbolic of functionality, whether personal, political or societal, which are being constantly challenged.

We have arrived at the end of the podcast series, Indian Art History. In this episode, our host Ayushi takes us to the complex comprehensions of contemporary Indian art. She takes a route via art practices of several contemporary artists through the value of threats, love and care while looking at the contemporary urge to make art. Image Credits: Art Limited/Sudhir Patwardhan; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia