Print this page Hindu Art and the Avatars of Vishnu: Rama, Krishna and India's Great Epics

Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, commemorates good over evil. Witness through art the stories of Rama and Krishna, two of the most revered avatars of Vishnu, and how they have inspired some of the most magnificent artistic and cultural traditions in India. This course explores how the great Hindu epics, The Ramayana and The Mahabharata, have been interpreted through painting, sculpture, temple art and visual storytelling across the centuries. Participants will gain an introduction to key themes, characters and symbols and discover how these narratives continue to influence religious practice, literature and contemporary culture. No prior knowledge of Hinduism or Indian art is required. Suitable for anyone interested in art, religion, mythology and world cultures.

DELIVERY MODE

Online

COURSE RESOURCES

• Dutt, R.C. (Translator), 2011,The Ramayana and The Mahabharata: Condensed into English Verse. Dover Publications
• Roy C Craven., 1997, Indian Art, Thames and Hudson
• https://orias.berkeley.edu/ramayana
• https://smarthistory.org/sacred-texts-hinduism/
• https://smarthistory.org/beliefs-made-visible-hindu-art-in-south-asia/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVMgEupff-E

COURSE OUTLINE

• Hindu Art over the centuries in various styles and forms depicting the Avatars of Vishnu
• An introduction to the myths of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna
• Exquisitely painted scenes from The Ramayana and The Mahabharata
• The impact of the Hippie Trail (1960s -1970s) and George Harrison on introducing Krishna to the West.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Recognise how these two myths have been interpreted in Hindu Art.
• Appreciate how these myths have evolved over centuries and been adopted by other religions.
• Understand how George Harrison popularised the Hare Krishna movement in the West.