Art of Sculpture

Indian sculptures provide an important channel to realize the artistic wealth of India. Certainly, the complex cultural and philosophical systems that prevailed in India gave birth to India`s artistic tradition. The principal sculptural techniques used in India have undergone little changes throughout the ages. But carving in India is practiced for centuries with using varied materials such as stone or rock, wood, various metals, bone, and marbles also.

The rich tradition of philosophy - both rational and spiritual - found its expression in the Indian sculptures and architecture as well. The important monuments like stupas and temples are incorporating a symbolic language that emphasizes on visual representations of all the important philosophical concepts.

The sculptural history of India begins with the Indus valley. The beginning of Indian art and sculpture dates back to the Indus valley civilization. The roots of this civilization took place in the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC. And from that time the sculptural art had developed in a more refined form. The Indian sculptures from later period found its presentation in carvings on stupas, temples or in cave structures. Though it seems that the religious dominance in the art exist at greater extent, the depiction of ordinary life was also expressed through it. The term religion was used to encompass a huge concept. It was not based on sensual starvation like today but it was directed for well being of human society.