Shared Flashcard Set

Details

IHUM 240 India MIdterm
N/A
119
Art History
Undergraduate 2
01/31/2013

Additional Art History Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Ethnography
Definition
The study of people
Term
India's earliest civilization
Was concurrent with what civilization?
Definition
Indus Valley Civilization
Egypt's First Kingdom
Term
Rajasthan
Definition
Dry Plains of NW India, inhabited by nomads who protected India from invaders
Term
What river separates Northern and Southern India?
Definition
Narmata
Term
What is the most fertile area of India and what is the name of the river that feeds it?
Definition
Indo-Gangetic belt
Ganges
Term
What two languages are spoken in the Indo-Gangetic plain and from what language(s) do they derive?
Definition
Hindi, Bengali
Both are Indo-Aryan languages
Term
What language is spoken in Peninsular India?
Definition
Dravidian languages (probably same language spoken in Indus Valley Civilization)
Term
What is Urdu, what nation is it associated with?
Definition
Very similar to Hindi, it is associated with Pakistan. Urdu considered a more romantic, 'sweet' language
Term
Vedas
Definition
sculptures that contain the scriptures of Hinduism, they are meant to be communicated orally
Term
Hinduism: Darshana
Definition
Philosophical system
Term
Hinduism: Brahma
Definition
Creator of Universe
Term
Hinduism: Brahman
Definition
Cosmos, caste (priests)
Term
Hinduism: Moksha
Definition
reunite with Brahman
Term
Hinduism: Atman
Definition
self
Term
Hinduism: Time, truth
Definition
Time: wheel (all events in a cycle)
truth: different for everyone
Term
Hinduism: Karma
Definition
actions reap rewards
Term
Hinduism: Dharma
Definition
Duty, according to caste
Term
Hinduism: Varna
kshatriya
Brahmin
Vaisya
Sudras
Pariahs
Definition
Caste: warriors, priests, merchants, peasants, untouchables
Term
Hinduism: Brahma
Definition
Creator
Term
Hinduism: Shiva
Definition
Destroyer
Term
Hinduism: Vishnu
Definition
Preserver
Term
Hinduism: Krishna
Definition
avatar of Vishnu (earthly manifestation of)
Term
Hinduism: Kali
Definition
Mother Goddess
Term
Hinduism: Ganesh
Definition
Elephant-faced God, Hindus supplicate him before any new undertaking
Term
Timeline: Indus Valley Civilization
Definition
3000 BC
Term
Timeline: Aryan Invasion
Definition
1500 BC
Term
Timeline: Siddhartha Gautama
Definition
563 BC
Term
Timeline: Ashoka
Definition
273 BC
Term
Timeline: Kushans
Definition
50 AD
Term
What did the Indus Valley civilization worship?
Definition
Male fertility figure (Bull), also female fertility symbols
Term
A combination of what elements gave rise to Hinduism?
Definition
Aryan and Dravidian
Term
Acculturation:
Definition
combination of cultures leading to a new culture
Term
What is Sanskrit?
Definition
A legacy of the Aryan invasion. The classical language of India, it has influences from as far away as Ireland and Iran; it has had a lasting influence in South Asia. It was discovered during the British Invasion. It is the Indian equivalent of Latin.
Term
Vedas
Definition
ritualistic religious poems on sculptures, they are a legacy of the Aryan invasion. They were controlled by Brahmins (evidence of caste system), they are the longest vocal tradition (in the world?). They continue to be recited by Brahmin boys
Term
Ramayana and Mahabharata
Definition
The third legacy of the Aryan Invasion, they are the equivalent of the Odyssey and Iliad (respectively) but much more important to INdian culture than Homer's epics are to western society. Ramayana an episode of the Mahabharata that depicts the story of Prince Rama and Sita and their conflict with Ravana. The main moral: Rama and Sita are faithful to their Dharma. The Mahabharata is an epic depicting the conflict amongst the Aryan claimants to the throne. Its main moral implication is the struggle between good and evil.
Term
Bhagavad-Gita
Definition
an excerpt from the Mahabharata, a story about Arjuna (supported by Krishna). An example of Kathakali--South Indian dance drama
Term
Enculturation
Definition
education, socialization.

People learn to be good Hindus by participation in the Mahabharata and Ramayana
Term
Three Major world religions born in 6th century BC:
Definition
Buddhism, Confucionism, Taoism
Term
Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama
Definition
Born in Nepal (563 BC), he was a prince who was influenced by Upanishads (questions about life influenced by the Vedas) and sought truth by becoming a yogi and seeking for gurus. He was tempted for 49 days under the Bodhi (enlightenment) tree and became enlightened.
Term
Buddhism: Four Noble Truths
Definition
1. to be is to suffer
2. the cause of suffering is desire
3. to overcome suffering one must overcome desire
4. to overcome desire there is an eight-fold path:
Term
Buddhism: Samsara
Definition
"Wheel of Life", by following the eight-fold path one may be released from the wheel of life and attain Nirvana
Term
Where was Buddhism first preached?
Definition
Benares (aka Varanasi) and the whole north of India
Term
Why did Buddhism lose favor in India?
Definition
It was not popular with the Brahmin
Term
Who are Buddha and Christ considered to be incarnations of?
Definition
Lord Vishnu. Buddha--8th incarnation. Christ--9th incarnation
Term
Buddhism: Theravada and Mahayana
Definition
Theravada: Work out salvation on your own
Mahayana: rely on Lord Buddha to achieve salvation
Term
Mauryan Dyansty
Definition
322-185 BC
Ashoka was third heir to the throne
under Ashoka's rule much Buddhist architecture commissioned
Term
Buddhist architecture: Stupa
Definition
egg shaped building, said to contain ashes of Buddha, early Buddhist art doesn't depict Buddha in person
Term
Buddhist architecture: Chaitya hall
Definition
barrel shaped building, ideally built into rock or a cave, contained a stupa at the apse, one would circumambulate the stupa and ponder the four great truths
Term
Buddhist architecture: Vihara
Definition
the buildings where the monks lived
Term
Kushans
Definition
invaders who converted to Mahayana, their art was influential on Hindu art to follow. Buddha began to be depicted in the art they commissioned. Mathora style originates during this period.
Term
Characteristic of Mathora style:
Definition
sculptures where the drapery appears wet to emphasize the physique
Term
Gupta Period
Definition
320-540 AD, period of development and peace, during this time India considered the most civilized part of the world. The Kushans promoted Buddhism and art, maritime and overland trade all of which affected the Guptas. Brahminism took over after Kushans, so Hinduism reinstated as State religion.
Term
Emperors of Gupta (Mauryans)
Definition
Chandragupta 1
Samudragupta
Chandragupta II
(great military leader, patronized arts, most India most advanced civilization)
Term
Who recorded most of what we know about Guptas?
Definition
Chinese Buddhist monk Fa Xian; he spent 9 years on a pilgrimage searching for Buddhism in India and learned more about Hinduism because Buddhism was in decline
Term
Which sect of Buddhism affected the arts more, Mahayana or Theravada?
Definition
Mahayana; gentle, contemplative; the third eye and top-knot refer to wisdom
Term
Important piece: Seated Buddha at Sarnath
Definition
Mathura stype of Guptas; this is where Buddha preached his first sermon. Hands in symbol of teaching (mudras--universally understood)
Term
By what figures is Buddha often flanked in artwork?
Definition
Boddhisatva (those who have reached enlightenment but decided to linger until all people reach enlightenment); in our faith, John the revelator and the Three Nephites play a similar role
Term
Important piece: Ajanta caves:
Definition
29 caves, 4 chaitya halls, 24 Vihara
Fresco paints a pictorial journal
Irony 1: Ajanta art is Buddhist
Irony 2: the Buddhist art is flamboyant, which doesn't quite agree with Buddhism's ascetic path to enlightenment
Term
Literature: Panchatantra
Definition
fables (count not your chickens, the transformed mouse). they are enculturative, teaching Hindus how to be good Hindus
Term
Literature: Drama--RASA
Definition
rasa: emotion (there are 33 of these)
Indian Drama was not plot but rather emotion driven.
Term
Gupta architecture: Temples
Definition
complex layout, covered with ornamental carvings, stone martix, eclectic imagery. they are replicas of the universe (similar to early Buddhist stupas)
Term
How was Hindu philosophy of art different than that of Buddhism?
Definition
to Hindus, all art is religious (secular to divine, as you move from the bottom to the top. More sensual at the bottom to more abstract and divine toward the top)
Term
Important piece: Temple at Elura
Definition
Nandi: Shiva's Bull
Lingam shrine
Processional path
galleries
Term
Important piece: Temple at Mamallapuram
Definition
"rath"--chariot
Mountain temple--early example of Shikara
"descent of Ganges" myth on one of the pillars
Term
Important piece: Temple at Khajuraho
Definition
Tower temple, world in temple form (fractals)
Gates: "Goupura"
Term
Gupta art: Durga
Definition
"warrior"--also known as Parvati (shiva's wife)
She battles the Buffalo demon and calls upon Seven Mothers to help.
This represents the resurgence of female fertility figure in Gupta period
Term
Guptas: science
Definition
Developments in astronomy and math unmatched anywhere else at the time. Arabic numbers actually came from Guptas.
Term
Rajput paintings
Definition
miniature paintings, characteristics: compartmentalization so the painting has many aspects: rich colors and almong shaped eyes, blue skin denotes deity. Vishnu can be identified as the character womanizing and playing an instrument. Garuda represented as a green bird.
Term
Dates of Foreign Occupations: Aryans, Kushans, Arabic, Turks, Moguls, British
Definition
Aryan (1500 BC)
Kushan (50 AD)
Arabic (8th century)
Turks, Afghan, Persian (11th century)
Moguls (16th century)
British (18th century)
Indians finally free of occupation in 1947
Term
Where were most Muslims concentrated in India:
Definition
Pakistan and East Pakistan (became Bangladesh in 1971)
Term
Examples of incongruence between Hinduism and Muslim?
Definition
Islam: monotheistic, heaven/hell, all brothers equal, universal truth
Hinduism: polytheistic, reincarnation cycle, caste system, personal/relative truth
Term
What does the Persian word Mogul stand for?
Definition
Mongol
Term
Babur
Definition
(1463-1530)--descended from Genghis Khan and Timur Khan
Babur established Mogul empire by vanquishing Rajputs in 1526
Term
Mogul Emperors?
Definition
Babur
Homayun(1508-2556)
Akbar the Great (1542-1605)
Jahangir (1569-1627)
Shah Jahan (1592-1666)
Aurangzab (1618-1707)
Term
Akbar the Great
Definition
sensitive to Hindu subjects, married Rajput princess (had many wives), founded ecumenical city Fatehpur Sikri. Admired by Queen Elizabeth. The Moguls only conquered northern India
Term
Mogul Miniature Paintings
Definition
Persian, Rajput, small size
Characteristics: floral and geometric patterns (typical of Islamic art), muted colors compared to Rajput art, not strict profile anymore, depicts Akbar as the people's emperor, more liberal (such as showing a man shirtless)
Term
Mogul Architecture:
Definition
building decorated with calligraphy is DEFINITELY Muslim
building decorated with human or animal depiction is NOT Islamic
Term
Mogul Architecture: Three Kinds of Forts
Definition
Forts, Mosques, Mausoleums (Muslims were buried, Hindus were cremated)
Term
Important piece: Tomb of Homayun
Definition
reflected in Yamuna River (presages Taj Mahal)
Term
Red Fort at Abra, Mosque
Definition
Term
Red FOrt at Delhi
Definition
observe Geometric and floral motifs, characteristic of Islamic architecture
Term
Diwani Khas:
Definition
Hall of Private Audience for Shah Jahan
Term
Diwani Am:
Definition
Hall of Public Audience for Shah Jahan
Term
Taj Mahal
Definition
twenty year construction, employed 22,000 workers from as far away as Europe. This mausoleum was built for Shah Jahan's wife Muntaz Muhal
Term
Aurangzab
Definition
ran the Mogul empire to the ground, only a fifth of the population actually converted to Islam (Sufism endured)
Term
Hindustani Classical Music
Definition
no friction between Muslims and Hindus, continues to thrive today, a Brahmanic activity (music was a devotional activity for them). Great musicians were considered closer to God than any other group of people.
Classical music is on the top of the totem pole.
Term
Gharanas
Definition
Muslim musicians
Became at type of caste. Many families of Gharanas still exist, teaching through oral tradition.
Term
Guru-Shishya Parampara
Definition
Suspended family relationship in favor of Gharana
Riaz--Dedication
Shishya--Disciple
Hindustani classical tradition results in Islamicization of Hindustani music and Indianizing of Muslim musicians
Term
3 Parameters of Indian Music
Definition
Melody--Raga
Meter--Tala
Drone--"canvas" of Indian Music
Term
How is Improvisation important in Indian music?
Definition
Musicians are both performer and composer at once, they are judged by the beauty with which they interpret and fit within ragas
Term
Requirements for Indian musicians:
Definition
ten years of living with a guru and being his disciple, mastery of oral-aural complex rules
Term
Instrumental Music: Instruments: Drum, Drone, Solo
Definition
Drum: Tabla, Pakavaj
Drone: Tambura, Electronic box (drone box)
Solo: Sitar (long necked plucked lute)
Sarod: shorter necked plucked lute
Sarangi: bowed fiddle
Shanai: double reed (conical bore)
Term
Vocal Music: Raga
Definition
Melody, raga specifies basic melodic organization, but is more than scale or key. Characteristic patterns of notes, patterns for reaching and descending from the highest note. Raga generates all classical music. Each raga has associated emotions and times of the day and different functions. Some are curative, some associated with jinns (genie)
Term
Vocal Music: Tala
Definition
Meter; cycles of beats that undergird all classical music
Typical cycles: 12, 14, 16 beats
Two types of counts:
Tali (clap): primary
Khali (wave): secondary
"Tintal":3 tali and khali
Term
Performance Pattern for Instrumental Music:
Definition
Alap (free meter)
alap: explores raga, slow
jor: faster tempo
jhala: faster still

meter: gat (enter drum)--drum enters meter
Term
Ravi Shankar
Definition
1920-2012
Born to Brahman family in Benares
studied with brother, became disciple of Alluadin Khan, his children were Akhbar Khan, Ana Purna
Influenced Yehudi Menuin, John Coltrane, George Harrison,
He is referred to as "Pandit", the Indian term for Master, not "Ustad" the Muslim term.
Term
Syllabic
Definition
One pitch per syllable
Term
Mellismatic
Definition
Multiple pitches per syllable
Term
Qawwali
Definition
South Asian Sufi tradition
falls midway on great tradition-little traditions spectrum,
very popular in Pakistan
"Qual"--Arabic for "message"
Qawwal--Arabic for "One who speaks well" preachers of Sufi poetry
Term
Sufism
Definition
Mystical sect of Islam, try to find God through mystical means, not mainstream but exists in many communities
Term
Qawwals
Definition
hereditary specialists of low social standing, but very popular
patrons are the Sufi leaders (Sheiks)
Qawwals perform fundamental service but are looked down on.
Organized in 'bradris'--brotherhoods
Men and women do not perform together
Term
When and where is Qawwali performed?
Definition
performed at shrines of great sufi Saints' centers of mystical teaching. Performed at Anniversaries of death of Sufi saints. Music provides rhythm for "sikr"--repetition of God's name
Term
Languages of Qawwali:
Definition
Farsi (most important)--language of 13th century poet Jalaluddin Rumi, the language of ancient Persia
Hindi--for Indian Muslims
Urdu--special importance for Pakistanis
Arabic (least important)
Term
Similarities of Qawwali to great tradition:
Definition
uses Ragas, classical training required, sargam--Sa re Ga Ma Pa Da Ni
Term
Differences of Qawwali to great tradition:
Definition
more text centered, mixes ragas, uses elements of folk and popular music
Term
How does Qawwali work?
Definition
Context-specific--must build a performance based on needs/expectations of patrons, saint, audience
Term
Format of Qawwali music:
Definition
Koranic recitation and prayer
Qawwali singing (.5-5 hours)
Koranic recitation and prayer
Term
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Definition
1948-1997
Born to Qawwal family, father wanted him to be a lawyer, Discovered by Peter Gabriel and his voice appears in older films such as Natural Born Killers, The Last Temptation of Christ, performed in Lincoln Center in 1995
Term
Little Traditions:
Definition
eclectic instruments may be used, hummable tunes, men and women sing together.
Term
Why are painted ballads important?
Definition
They made the music/art accessible to a historically illiterate culture/audience.
Term
Rajasthani painted ballads: characteristics
Definition
Bhopa--storyteller
Bhope--wife
Ravanahattha--bowed fiddle
professional caste or jati
Term
Rajasthani Kathputli
Definition
Sutradhar--"one who holds the thread"--the person who operates the puppet
boli--small reed instrument, gives utterances of puppets
Dholak--accordian, brought by British missionaries, now considered a native instrument
Rajput hero: Amar Singh rathor--17th century
A woman on stage had to be married and covered
Term
Bengal was influenced by what faiths?
Definition
Sahaja sect of Buddhism and Vaishnavism--a Hindu sect that emphasizes Bhakti (devotion to God)--influenced by Sufism
Term
Rabindranath Tagore
Definition
(1858-1911) Philosopher, writer, musician, Nobel Laureate, downplayed British influences, renounced Knighthood, championed literature in vernacular. He founded Shantini Ketan, a university whose sole curriculum was Indian folklore, music, and dance. He wrote Sohar Bangla--the national anthem of Bangladesh
Term
Music of the Bauls
Definition
Bauls--underground folk heroes of Bengal
"Batul"--Sanskrit word for "mad for God", this word is the origin of the word Baul
"Vatul"--crazies.
Bauls are deeply religious but eschew organized religion. They are influenced by Sufism, Vashnavism, and Sahaja sect of Buddhism. They believe a person's body is the only temple through which they can worship God.
Term
Baul Musicians, Instruments
Definition
Khamak--drum used by Baul musicians
Purna Chandra Das "King of the Bauls"
Lady Srimati Manju Das

Prem-tattra--Love of God
Term
Satyajit Ray
Definition
(1921-1992) Bengali Filmmaker, (Jalsaghar, Pather Panchali), his films question the effects of modernity on India
Term
Bollywood
Definition
Located in Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
Originally did adaptations of Western Films, now increasingly international
Term
Lata Mangeshkar
Definition
(1928--) Most recorded voice of all time (25,000+ recordings).
Supporting users have an ad free experience!