Abstract This short paper explores both the art of India and the mysticism behind this art. The author describes the purposes of Indianart, citing the religious and philosophical meanings intertwined within a work. Several architectural landmarks are presented, including the complex of temples at Khajuraho. Specific styles of painting are also described.
From the Paper " The most prominent feature of Indian art is that it does not attempt a representation of the immediate reality as such, nor does it bring merely aesthetic figurations of it, but that its substance is always blended with the religions and philosophies of India, and therefore pervaded with rich symbolism, with a sum of philosophical concepts and many divine characters. This is why artistic objects in India serve usually more than one purpose - the temples, for example, are not, in terms of style, merely architectural forms, but are closer to sculpture. Also the stupas , were originally small burial or reliquary places , but they are also cosmic diagrams by the special elements of their construction such as the harmika symbolizing the heaven of the thirty three gods , and the yasti , as the axis of the universe , rising through the harmika ,and thus uniting the world with the paradise above."
Abstract An examination of Indianarts with emphasis on the images and symbolism in the Indian notions of art and religion. The author examines the influences of the Western world on Indian expression of art.
From the Paper "For thousands of years the arts have thrived on the Indian sub-continent, with the advent of western influence and occupation taking place only within the last few hundred years. The impact of western influence upon India is unmistakable, especially in regards to her arts and religion, serving not so much as a contributor, but as a critic. To even begin to comprehend and appreciate the incredible diversity and complexity of Indian arts, we must undergo a paradigm shift of our most basic western beliefs and notions of art and religion. Therefore, an understanding of the historical interpretations of Indian art is essential. Going beyond this, we must construct a rudimentary primer on seeing Indian images, also known as dar?an, and trying to understand, at least at a basic level, the symbolism involved in such religiously rich imagery."
Abstract This essay discusses the way in which Buddhism, whose origins are from India, influenced Chinese art. The essay discusses specific artists who employed Buddhist themes in their work, The writer also looks at exhibitions and architecture that reflect the tradition of using Indian Buddhism as either the subject of the work or that use Indian Buddhism to symbolically give a message to the viewer.
From the Paper "Indian Buddhism was founded in India in 525 BC. Its creator Siddhartha Gautama--or Buddha--taught his followers four noble truths: "existence is suffering (dukha); suffering has a cause, namely craving and attachment (trishna); there is a cessation of suffering, which is nirvana; and there is a path to the cessation of suffering, the 'eightfold path' of right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration"."
Abstract This is an essay analyzing the influence of Buddhism from India on Chinese art. The writer discusses that this profound influence was primarily due to the cultural interchange resulting from the 'silk road' trade route, as well as other routes. The writer points out that Buddhism came to China via these trade roads, and was eventually adapted by Chinese artists. Further, the writer notes that Greek influences are also important in this artistic tradition.
From the Paper "To a certain degree, the art produced by any given culture is a product of the synthesis of all that culture has experienced and been in contact with, though a flavor or 'look' that is distinct to the given culture invariably remains. It should not come as a surprise that China was not immune to influences from other cultures, one of the most significant being Buddhism, which originated in India and spread throughout much of east Asia, including China, Japan and Korea. Buddhist iconography thus became a part of east Asian art, including Chinese art, particularly during the T'ang Dynasty."
Abstract This essay will attempt to present a brief understanding of the role of passion in Hindu art. The main references will be two sculptures and one painting. However, there will also be a brief discussion of the role of the Devadasis as representative of passion in religion. This special class of females had a significant part in the practice of religion which involved dance and erotic acts. In addition, they were models for sculptures on certain temples which will be focused upon in the discussion.
Abstract In this essay, the writer looks at the work of a select group of Native-American artists working in the post-war era. The writer notes that these artists managed to adapt a Modernist language in their own work, while simultaneously subverting that language in filtering it through their own personal experiences as Native artists. The writer points out that while some of the artists discussed here are still active, focus is limited on the period immediately after World War II and up to the 1980s. The writer provides some insights into the ways in which the Modernist paradigm has constantly been challenged by the work of Native-American artists throughout the post-war period. This paper includes color photographs of various works of art.
From the Paper "Although Houser would later come to be known primarily for his stone sculptures, this was his first major work in stone, the result of a commission by the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas. The work was meant to be a tribute to the students of Haskell who had died fighting for the United States in the Second World War. The work is a large-scale monumental piece that, though fairly straightforward in its execution, gives us some insight into the more abstract style that Houser would later develop in the course of his prolific career. The figure depicted, clearly a Native-American Indian male, wears a somber expression on his face. He is staring forward, clearly struck by the immense tragedy of a situation he is barely able to comprehend. He is wrapped in a blanket in an effort to protect himself from the cold harshness of the external world. The sculpture is neither realistic in a monumental sense nor rooted in the traditions of Apache Indian artwork; the style is all Houser's own. The overall shape of the piece is round and smooth. But it is the stunned expression on the Indian's face that ultimately pulls us in, reminding us that there are truths of a more existential nature that cannot be stated so easily, and that it is the task of art to ask such questions."
Abstract The paper discusses that the term 'Indian giver' has come to be a synonym for someone who gives something, only to take it back. The paper further explains that it was the Indians who were forced to give to the Europeans--their knowledge about farming and fishing in the Americas and ultimately their land. The paper discusses that in Jack Weatherford's book, "Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World," the exchange between Europeans and Native Americans was an unequal one, with Europeans taking of the positive benefits of the New World, while the Indians were doing all of the giving. The paper concludes that unwittingly, the Indians found themselves the recipient of the evils of European civilization, like slavery, and a disrespectful attitude to the land.
From the Paper "According to Weatherford, the early post-Columbian contact of the Europeans with the native populace actually enabled the Industrial Revolution to change Europe, and ultimately the world. "Had Europe and America not come together through Columbus or some other connection, the industrial revolution would never have happened in the way we know it," because Europeans would never have gained access to the metals of the New World, or to Indian mines (Weatherford 57). This contact also generated the money economy of Europe and fueled a shift to a European economy based upon real, hard, convertible currency. Metal-based currency also was critical in fueling industrialism and world trade. By beginning the book with tales of South American encounters with Europe, which were particularly brutal and unequal from the beginning of the Indian-European relationship, Weatherford initiates a tragic tone, explaining how enslaved South American Indians mining gold and silver in Potosi supplied the precious metals for most of the European coins that generated wealth for the Old World at the expense of the liberty of the New World."
This paper reviews and examines Donald Hughes' book "North American Indian Ecology" which focuses on a wide range of ecological and environmental issues faced by Native American Indians in the 20th century.
Abstract This paper explores and details North American Indian life and culture as portrayed in Donald Hughes' book "North American Indian Ecology." This paper discusses the land issues facing the North American Indian tribes including overgrazing, erosion and assessments of appropriate land usage. The writer of this paper finds Hughes' book to be straightforward and concise in clarifying the characteristics of Indian life such as hunting, food growing and rituals.
From the Paper "Tribes are having to mediate the disparate demands of their members and the industrial mindset of the BIA to balance forest use for economic need and preservation for cultural need. Tribes face many of the same problems as non-Native communities held hostage by the timber industry. Replanting has not always kept pace with harvesting on public or trust lands. The push to harvest old-growth timber is constrained by federal mandates to protect endangered species habitats, putting people out of work. Few local communities gain the "value-added" benefits of processing their own timber especially jobs and new businesses and when they do the environmental impact of mill sites has to be factored into any cost-benefit analysis."
Abstract This paper addresses the changes in American Indian warfare during the period of western settlement in the 19th century. It gives a summary of Plains Indian culture and reasons for conflict, and details conflicts between settlers and American Indian tribes. The paper's thesis, borne out in historical research, is that the introduction of horses and firearms made conflicts between US relocation forces and unwilling Indian tribesmen bloodier than necessary on both sides. The author does not take sides on the Native American sovereignty issue.
Abstract The paper explains that Jack Weatherford began to examine the history of the Native American as he discovered that many agricultural products would not have been produced in farming without the knowledge that Indians gave those in the new world. The paper describes how Weatherford further stipulates that it is through these advances in agriculture that the United States has remained a strong contender in the global market ,and that without the influences of the Native Americans on the early settlers those new to America would not have survived. The paper analyzes how, through his work, "Indian Givers: How Indians of the Americas Transformed the World", Volume I, Weatherford brings an insight to a people that most individuals have been negligent in understanding. The paper concludes that it is Weatherford's purpose to demonstrate that Native Americans have been a misrepresented and forgotten people when the history of North America is discussed.
Abstract This paper presents a brief history of the Native Americans of California, focusing on their struggles with colonizing Europeans and their eventual loss of land and civil rights. The paper traces the history of Native Americans in the US back to their arrival in North America from Asia. Next the author describes their settlement and cultures in North America, and California specifically. The paper highlights the arrival of Europeans to Californian, describing the Native American's subsequent loss of loss of land, culture and autonomy. Special attention is paid to the effects of reservations on the Native American population.
Outline:
California Indians Population Decline of California Indian Figure-1: Native California [Census 2000]
Figure-2: Native California Population [Census 2000]
Indian Plight since Columbian Period
Paper includes maps and charts.
From the Paper "This exploitation continued well into the twentieth century and displacement of Native Indian from reserves continued with little or no compensation until the early twentieth century. The enlightened society of the twentieth century began to apply the laws which have been on the statutes for centuries to all Americans. Discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion and sex can not be legally justified anymore. This important factor now provides legal rights and new protection to Native Indians. "
Abstract This paper discusses the public apology made by Kevin Gover, the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, to Native Americans for the harsh mistreatment they received at the hands of the U.S. Government. The paper looks at the many aspects of this mistreatment addressed by the apology, and suggests that, although late in coming, a public apology may open the door to reparations for American Indians.
From the Paper "In his speech, Gover made note of the Dawes Severalty Act, passed in 1887. This act was just one in a long line of examples of the early settlers? inability to understand the ways of the Native Americans. The act was created by whites who believed they were helping weak Native Americans by turning them into farmers and land owners. While this act uprooted the Native Americans from their homes and placed them in reservations, the American government alleged that they were helping, rather than hurting the Native Americans simply because of their belief in the superiority of America and of its culture."
Abstract The military history of British involvement in India began, fully, in 1857 when Indian forces staged a revolt against the British East India Company. The Indian army began as an indigenous force run by British officers. The British role in India, far surpassed the history of British Imperialism anywhere else in the world.
Abstract This paper is an anthropology paper that debates the true reason for resistance to Indian Casinos. The paper wholeheartedly supports the anthropologist Darrian-Smith in asserting that the one of the ultimate reasons for resistance to Indian Casinos lies in the centuries old traditions of non-Native discrimination towards natives, and both traditional and new age stereotyping.
From the Paper "Indian Casinos For much of hundreds of years the American people have variously exterminated, stolen from or assimilated their indigenous peoples. In more recent decades this has turned into milder forms of discrimination and stereotypical conceptualizations. The one enduring theme has been the patrimonial dominance over Native peoples, being the most regulated of all people within the boundaries of the United States. Relegated by land appropriations to remote, often worthless plots of reservation lands, the remnants of traditional Native societies have barely been able to eke out a subsistence living. However, taking advantage of laws previously designed against them, a limited number of Native American tribes have turned to Casinos as a source of revenue to alleviate them from their hardship."
Abstract This paper examines Indian-white relations on the post-revolutionary frontier up to the early 19th century. All social, political, and economic relations are marked by inequality and a dominant-inferior pattern.
