TURNING AROUND

traced as far back as third millennium BC. on the banks of the river Indus particularly at the bends that provided water, easy means of transportation of produce and other goods and also some protection by way of natural barriers of the river . consisted of walled cities which provided security to the people. rectangular grid pattern of layout with roads that cut each other at right angles. used standardised burnt mud-bricks as building material. evidence of building of big dimensions which perhaps were public buildings, administrative or business centres, pillared halls and courtyards. no evidence of temples. granaries which were used to store grains which give an idea of an organised collection and distribution system. ‘Great Bath’ - public bathing place shows the importance of ritualistic bathing and cleanliness in this culture. It is still functional and there is no leakage or cracks in the construction.

·          at the holy city of Mathura between 1-3 A.D.  ·          established tradition of transforming Buddhist symbols into human form. ·          Buddha’s first image can be traced to Kanishka’s reign (about 78 A.D.). ·          earliest sculptures of Buddha were made keeping the yaksha   prototype in mind. ·          strongly built -  right hand raised in protection and left hand on the waist. ·          The figures do not have moustaches and beards as in the Gandhara Art. ·          seated figures are in the   padmasana posture.       ·          not only produced beautiful images of the Buddha but also of the Jain Tirthankaras and gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. ·          although of indigenous origin, but greatly influenced by the Gandhara School of Art. ·          Guptas adopted, further improvised & perfected Mathura School of Art. ·          observed at - Sarnath, Sravasti and even as far as Rajgir in Bihar.

·       Kalamkari (lit. pen-work) is primarily used for the temple festivals or as wall hangings. ·       stories from the epics Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas are painted as continuous narratives ·       relevant Telugu verses explaining the theme are also carried below the artwork. ·       colors are obtained from vegetable and mineral sources. ·       gods are painted blue, ·       the demons and evil characters in red and green. ·       Yellow is used for female figures and ornaments. ·       Red is mostly used as a background.

·          on the banks   of the Krishna River in modern Andhra Pradesh.    ·          largest Buddhist   stupa   of South India.    ·          construction began in 200 B.C. and was completed in 200 A.D. ·          stupendous   stupa could not withstand the ravages of time .its ruins are preserved in the London Museum.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STUPA SANCHI STUPAS :     ·          hemispherical in shape with a low base. ·          symbolized the cosmic mountain.   ·          inscription by the ivory carvers of Vidisha on the southern gateway throws light on the transference of building material from perishable wood and ivory to the more durable stone. AMARAVATI STUPA : ·          built in 2nd or 1st century BC was probably like the one at Sanchi ·          but in later centuries it was transformed from a Hinayana shrine to a Mahayana shrine.   GANDHARA STUPA : ·          further development of   stupas   at Sanchi and Bharhut.  ·          the base, dome and the hemisphere dome are sculpted. ·          stupas   of   Nagarjunakonda   in Krishna valley were very large. ·          Maha Chaitya of   Nagarjunakonda   has a base in the form of   Swastika , which is a sun symbol.