Fine Arts of Assam
Encyclopedia
Fine Arts of Assam
has extremely rich tradition.
are believed to be the earliest examples (c. 300B.C. to c. 100A.D.) of ancient art and architectural works. The monumental architectural remains discovered in Doporboteeya (Daparvatiya) archaeological site along with a beautiful doorframe in Tezpur are identified as the best examples of art works in ancient Assam with influence of Sarnath
School of Art of the late Gupta
period. Gupta influence was prominent due to intense interaction of the then Kamarupa with the kingdom of Magadha
. Many other sites also exhibit development of local art forms with local motifs and sometimes with similarities with those in the Southeast Asia
. There are currently more than forty discovered ancient archaeological sites across Assam with numerous sculptural and architectural remains. Moreover, there are examples of several Late-Middle Age art and architectural works including hundreds of sculptures and motifs along with many remaining temples, palaces and other buildings. The motifs available on the walls of the buildings such as Rang Ghar
, Joydoul, etc are remarkable examples of art works.
. The ancient practices can be known from the accounts of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang
(7th century CE). The account mentions that Bhaskaravarma, the king of Kamarupa has gifted several items to Harshavardhana, the king of Magadha
including paintings and painted objects, some of which were on Assamese silk
. Many of the manuscripts available from the Middle Ages bear excellent examples of traditional paintings. The most famous of such medieval works are available in the Hastividyarnava
(A Treatise on Elephants), the Chitra Bhagawata and in the Gita Govinda
. The medieval painters used locally manufactured painting materials such as the colours of hangool and haital
. The medieval Assamese literature
also refers to chitrakars and patuas. Traditional Assamese paintings have been influenced by the motifs and designs in the medieval works such as the Chitra Bhagawata.
There are several renowned contemporary painters in Assam. The Guwahati Art College in Guwahati
is the only government institution for tertiary education. Moreover, there are several art-societies and non-government initiatives across the state and the Gauhati Artists' Guild is a front-runner organisation based in Guwahati.
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
has extremely rich tradition.
Sculpture and architecture
The archaic Mauryan Stupas discovered in and around Goalpara districtGoalpara District
Goalpara district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located in Goalpara town.-History:...
are believed to be the earliest examples (c. 300B.C. to c. 100A.D.) of ancient art and architectural works. The monumental architectural remains discovered in Doporboteeya (Daparvatiya) archaeological site along with a beautiful doorframe in Tezpur are identified as the best examples of art works in ancient Assam with influence of Sarnath
Sarnath
Sarnath or Sārnātha is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India...
School of Art of the late Gupta
Gupta Empire
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed approximately from 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri-Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under leadership of Guptas enabled the...
period. Gupta influence was prominent due to intense interaction of the then Kamarupa with the kingdom of Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
. Many other sites also exhibit development of local art forms with local motifs and sometimes with similarities with those in the Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. There are currently more than forty discovered ancient archaeological sites across Assam with numerous sculptural and architectural remains. Moreover, there are examples of several Late-Middle Age art and architectural works including hundreds of sculptures and motifs along with many remaining temples, palaces and other buildings. The motifs available on the walls of the buildings such as Rang Ghar
Rang Ghar
Rang Ghar is a two-storied building, which was the royal sports-pavilion from which the Ahom kings and nobles witnessed games like buffalo fights and other sports at the Rupahi Pathar specially during Rangali Bihu festival in the Ahom capital, Rangpur...
, Joydoul, etc are remarkable examples of art works.
Paintings
Painting is an ancient tradition of AssamAssam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
. The ancient practices can be known from the accounts of the Chinese traveller Xuanzang
Xuanzang
Xuanzang was a famous Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang period...
(7th century CE). The account mentions that Bhaskaravarma, the king of Kamarupa has gifted several items to Harshavardhana, the king of Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
including paintings and painted objects, some of which were on Assamese silk
Assam Silk
Assam silk denotes the three major types of indigenous wild silks produced in Assam—golden Muga, white Pat and warm Eri silk. The Assam silk industry, now centered in Sualkuchi, is a labor intensive industry.-Muga silk:...
. Many of the manuscripts available from the Middle Ages bear excellent examples of traditional paintings. The most famous of such medieval works are available in the Hastividyarnava
Hastividyarnava
The Hastividyārnava of Sukumar Barkaith is one of the best known illustrated manuscripts of Assam. Commissioned under the patronage of King Sivāsimha and his Queen consort Phuleswari, it deals with the management and care of elephants in the royal stables...
(A Treatise on Elephants), the Chitra Bhagawata and in the Gita Govinda
Gita Govinda
The Gita Govinda is a work composed by the 12th-century poet, Jayadeva, who was born in Kenduli Sasan near Puri in Orissa. It describes the relationship between Krishna and the gopis of Vrindavana, and in particular one gopi named Radha...
. The medieval painters used locally manufactured painting materials such as the colours of hangool and haital
Hangool and haital
Hangool and haital are unique medieval products of Assam used as paints. Many of the manuscripts written in the medieval period contain paintings using hangool and haital....
. The medieval Assamese literature
Assamese literature
Assamese literature is the entire corpus of poetry, novels, short stories, documents and other writings in the Assamese language. It also includes popular ballads in the older forms of the language during its evolution to the contemporary form. The literary heritage of the Assamese language can...
also refers to chitrakars and patuas. Traditional Assamese paintings have been influenced by the motifs and designs in the medieval works such as the Chitra Bhagawata.
There are several renowned contemporary painters in Assam. The Guwahati Art College in Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
is the only government institution for tertiary education. Moreover, there are several art-societies and non-government initiatives across the state and the Gauhati Artists' Guild is a front-runner organisation based in Guwahati.