The Roots of South Asian Art (Set of 2 Volumes)

This book "The Roots of South Asian Art" is a joint work of D.P. Sharma and Madhuri Sharma. The book covers Art History of South Asia from upper Palaeolithic to Early historic period. Roots of South Asian Art exist in lower traditions of South Asia since Harappan age (circa 2700-2000 B.C.) and these roots developed in higher traditions of Art from 3rd c.B.C. onwards. Mother Goddess worship began during circa 20000 B.P. and developed during Harappan, Chalcolithic and Megalithic ages. From 3" c.B.C. onward it developed into higher tradition of art like Sakti cult of Hindu religion. During early centuries the worship of Mother Goddess was also inherited by other religions. The seated male torso of Harappan age of lower tradition developed into the Yogic figures of higher tradition of Early historic period. The stone male torsos discovered from Harappa (c. 2600 B.C.) and Lohanipur (circa 3 c.B.C.) show continuous development in style between lower and higher traditions Pasupati Siva and Siva Linga of Harappan art of lower tradition developed in the form of Siva cult of Hindu religion during early historic period. Wheel symbol (Chakra) stone pillar, model of animal capital top existed in Harappan age of lower tradition and these motifs of art developed completely in Mauryan age (3 c.B.C.) of higher tradition of South Asian art.

Triratna, Nandipada, Trisula, Pipal, Swastika and four-petal symbols and other rituals (Fire altar) were already existed in Harappan age and these traditions were adopted during 3rd c.B.C. in the higher traditions of Mauryan art. The present author has documented in this book the roots of South Asian art which had developed during early historic period (3rd c.B.C. to 6th c.A.D.). Some scholars had earlier suggested that the roots of Indian art begin during 3rd c.B.C. and this observation has been rejected in this publication. Various chapters of the book deal with prehistoric art, art style of Harappan images and ceramics, minor arts and crafts, Mauryan art, Shunga terracottas, Kusana Art, classical art of Gupta period and the decorated brick temples of early medieval age of lower Ganga Yamuna doab.

Dr. D.P. Sharma is an Archaeologist, Museologist and art historian. He did his M.A. in Ancient history form Allahabad University and D.phil research on Art and Architecture of lower doab Ganga-Yamuna doab region from University of Allahabad. He had worked as Assistant Archaeologist in A.S.I. Archaeological officer Birla Museum, Bhopal curator in Goa Museum and Research fellow in Deccan college Poona & Allahabad University. From 1980 to 1985 he was working as registering officer Antiquities at Allahabad and Varanasi Regions. During 1983-84 he was awarded commonwealth scholarship and he qualified M.A. Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology University of London. He did excavation at Sussex (U.K.) and Pincenvent (France) under Dr. Mark Newcomer and Prof. Gourhan. Since 1985-2005 he had been working as head of Harappan and prehistoric collection of National Museum, New Delhi. In 2005 become Associate Professor & H.O.D. Museology in National Museum Institute. Dr. Sharma has published 212. Papers and 39 Books in which few new are given below: Panorama of Harappan Civilization, Early Harappan and Indus Sarasvati Civilization Vol. I & II, Harappan Art, Late Harappan and decline, Glimpses of Harappan Civilization, Prehistoric Art and Archaeology Vol. I, Gupta Classical Art Vol. I & II, Harappan Minor Art & Crafts Vol. I-V, Harappan Jewellery, Harappan Terracotta, Harappan Seals, Harappan Potteries, Garunda in Asian Art, Harappan Architecture, Copper Hoard Weapons of south Asia, Museology for Beginner, Fundamentals of Museology, Religion and socials system of Harappan, Antiquity Laws and Museum Administration, O.C.P. & Copper hoard (ed), Harappan script on its way to Decipherment, Harappan science & technology, Archaeology of lower doab, Vol. I & II, Lost Sarswati Civilization, Bharat Ka Puratattva (Hindi) Allahabad through the ages (ed.) Human origin and civilization on Harappan. At present he is working As Director in Bharat Kala Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Madhuri Sharma has published 6 books and 70 papers she was senior research fellow under Department of Culture, New Delhi.

The "Roots of South Asian Art" is third book of authors on Early art of South Asia. Earlier author have published two books Early Buddhist Metal Image and Archaeology of Lower Ganga Yamuna Doab. Other books on early Art of South Asia like Select Art Vol. I Harappan, Vol. II, Mauryan, Vol. III Shunga, Vol. V Satvahna Art, Vol. V Kusana, Vol. VI Gupta VII Early Medieval Art are in press. Author were much impressed by two new books Roots of Indian Art and Element of Indian Art, written by Dr S.P. Gupta which inspired them to write this book.

This book mostly covers Art of South Asia from Harappa to Gupta periods. Roots of South Asian Art begin during Harappan age and scholars named it South Asian Art of lower tradition which developed in higher tradition during Early Historic period.

The Earliest evidence of Mother Goddess worship in South Asia begins during Upper Palaeolithic age and we have evidence of Mother Goddess images from Belan Valley (Allahabad) and Mother Goddess shrine from Baghor in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. Prof. G.R. Sharma has published these discoveries in his book "From History to Prehistory" and "Beginning in Agriculture". Mother goddess Teracotta image continual from 7000 B.C. to Mature Harappans and continued during Chalcolithic period and Iron age period at Adichakllur. A proto Brahmi inscription was recently reported at Adi chakllur. From 3 century B.C. to 578 A.D. (Gupta) period and also during Medieval age Sakti cult worship developed in higher tradition of Hindu religion. During early medieval age Mother Goddess worship was adopted by other religion of South Asia. Seated male torso of Mature Harappan age represent Lower tradition of South Asian religion. Seated male torso of Mature Harappan age of lower tradition shown in Yogic posture later on developed in Jain Tirthankar images in higher tradition of Early Historic age. Male stone torso discovered from Harappa (c.-2600 B.C.) and Lohanipur (3rd C.B.C) shows continuous developing trends between lower to higher tradition. Theory of lower and higher tradition in South Asian Art earlier suggested by Indian scholars like V.S. Agarwal and recently in a book Elements of Indian Art written by S.P. Gupta and Shashi Asthana seems to correct.

**Contents and Sample Pages**