India, our motherland is known for its culture and customs. We have a very colorful and rich heritage. Our country is the birthplace of various arts which are famous and celebrated all over the world.  Indian artists are famous all over the world. We should be proud to have such unique talents  with us. Here is an introduction to the bountiful and beautiful arts which were and still are practiced in India.

  1. Sculptures

    Sculpturing is a rich art found from as early as 2nd century BC. The group of Ajanta caves has become a world heritage site just because of its intricate and traditional sculptures. Buddha’s preaching and day-to-day life depictions were the most common subjects to sculpt. Idols of God are sculpted even now in India.

  2. Jewelry

    With a legacy continuing for 5000 years, Indian jewelry is in demand all over the world because of the royal designs and meticulous efforts of Indian designers over the millennia. Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, gold, silver and many other metals find a place in the designs.

  3. Fresco

    The most famous and intriguing Indian frescos of medieval period are found at the overhanging rocks of Bagh, Ellora, Ajanta and Sittanavasal caves. Kerala mural painting is another form of fresco which can be found at sites like Pundarikapuram, Ettumanoor and Aymanam for instance.

  4. Tribal arts

    Puranic deities, lifestyle, beliefs and rituals are the inspiration behind tribal arts such as pot-making, weaving, jewelry, dance, paintings, music, sculptures and textiles. There are various tribes in every state of India. Each of them has its own history and related art forms.

  5. Folk dances

    Folk dance is a way of expressing happiness for arrival of seasons, weddings, births etc. Colorful and flamboyant costumes along with folk music and instruments make up the essence of Indian folk dances. Some well-known examples are Bhangra, Gidda, Jhumar, Garba, Dandiya, Lejim etc.

  6. Classical dances

    There are seven main traditional classical dances known but a few new ones like Andhra Natyam are also counted along with the main seven now. The seven main classical dances are Bharatnatyam (Tamil Nadu), Odyssey (Orissa), Kathak (Uttar Pradesh), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Mohiniattam (Kerala), Kathakali (Kerala) and Manipuri (Manipur).

  7. Mehendi:

    Any wedding ceremony is incomplete without Mehendi. A green paste is made from Henna leaves and is applied on the palms and feet of women. Once the paste dries on the skin, it leaves a reddish-orange color and is hence, believed to be a decorative art.

  8. Rangoli

    Rangoli, also known as Alpana, is a traditional art which is known to have originated when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. It is a sign of welcome to happiness and prosperity. Rangoli is used to decorate the house front during various festivals, especially Diwali.

  9. Martial arts

    The origin of martial arts in India is traced back to the age of Mahabharata where swords, bows and arrows etc were used as weapons of war. Today, 8 martial arts exist in India which are as follows- Kalaripayattu, Silambam, Gatka, Mushti Yuddha, Thangta, Lathi, Mardani khel and Pari khanda.

  10.  Miniature painting

    It has actually come to India via Persian artists invited by Mughal kings in 16th century. It soon became renowned and appreciated because of its modern approach. Portraits of loved ones, plants, animals and nature were the key elements of these paintings.

  11.  Music- Carnatik and Hindustani

    Indian music being a combination of folk and modern music, its backbone is formed by classical music of two types which even today hold a special place in every culturally aware person’s heart. The Carnatik music is native to Southern part of India and it focuses on vocal music while Hindustani music is native to the northern part and believed to be influenced by Islamic and Persian traditions.

  12.  Literature

    22 languages spoken in India are officially recognized and literature in many of these languages has continued to exist in written and spoken form through the centuries. The sacred Geeta, Vedas, Arthshastra, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vastu shastra are a few literary works to mention. Rabindranath Tagore received a Nobel prize for literature.

  13. Architecture

    One of the most ancient civilizations of the world, Indus Valley civilization emerged in India. The evidences of existence of planned cities, places of worship, community centers have been found. Later, the Dravids, Aryans, Mughals and later population strengthened the art of architecture in India further. Pre-historic buildings such as Qutub Minar, Char Minar, Bibi ka Makbara, Taj Mahal are proofs of the intellectual concepts of architecture which existed even then.

  14.  Cinema

    the Indian film industry is the second largest in the world. Films in various languages are produced every now and then. Its gaining popularity all over the world for its entertainment quotient. The Bombay Hindi film industry is called ‘Bollywood’. Tollywood (Telugu) , Kollywood (Tamil) , Sandalwood (Kannada) are the other major Indian film industries after Bollywood.

  15.  Painting

    The earliest paintings in India are older than 5500 BC, found on the rocks of Bhimbetka caves. The carved pillars and stupas at various places such as Ajanta, Ellora are great illustrations of Indian paintings. The colors used to be derived from various minerals.