Buddhist Art of Orissa

About the Book

Buddhism, one of the most important religious movements of ancient civilization had profoundly affected the religious and moral ideas and acted as a catalytic factor in transforming the then socio-cultural order.

Based on the cardinal principles of kindness, humanity and equality the popular faith had built up the solid background in literature, philosophy, art and architecture, Iconography as well as in social and educational systems. The liberal religion threw its door open to the people irrespective of sects and castes and found general acceptance in the society. The vast mass of art and architecture built up during a span of about 1500 years (from the time of the Buddha till about 1Oth/ 11th century A.D.). In India and simultaneously in several Asian countries not only attracted the converted Buddhists and general mass but also became the eminent centers of pilgrimage.

Buddhist art being the earliest art in historic India greatly influenced its art heritage.

Architect and artist groups being the same, their style of execution was more or less similar though the art idiom and iconographic features differed from pantheon to pantheon.

The book ‘Buddhist Art of Orissa’ presents in lucid style the Buddhist art and architecture of the State that emerged and developed here from the time of Ashok (3rd century B.C.) till about 11th century A.D. showing the gradual evolution of peculiar Mahayanic and Vajrayanic sculptures, bronze icons of typical varieties with exquisite workmanship and magnificent monastic; institutions, colossal stupas enshrined with befitting icons.

Buddhist art is not an isolated phenomenon. It flourished simultaneously with other forms of art maintaining close liaison and interaction with them, despite the sectarian rivalry, jealousy, intolerance, etc. in one chapter of this book the interaction between Brahman cal and Buddhist icons has been dearly elucidated. Field data based on a thorough survey of the Buddhist sites, excavated materials and the museums and analyzed in relation to textual references will be stimulating and informative to the scholars and even to general readers.

About the Author

Dr. H.C. Das (born in July 1935) did his M.A. in Anthropology in 1961, M.A. In History in 1971, Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1971 and M.A. in Hindustani Classical Music (Vocal) in 1974. He was trained as a Social Anthropologist under the astute guidance of Prof. Cora Du Bois, Summary Professor of Anthropology, Harvard University, USA and Dr. A. Aiyappan, former Professor of Anthropology, Utkal University and the Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University. Having been influenced by these two eminent anthropologists he extensively traveled and surveyed almost all 62 tribal communities of Orissa and particularly he took up special schemes entitled ‘Tribal’s and the Forests’ to study the Soares and Katie Kondhs.

He is a historian of high reputation with the specialized aptitude to ancient Indian history and archaeology trained under the guidance of eminent archaeologist Padmashri P. Acharya, historian K. . . Mohapatra, Epigraphist Padmashree S. . . Raja guru, and internationally acclaimed historian Dr. M.N. Das, former Professor of History and Vice-chancellor of Utkal University. As a Musicologist of the country, he played a vital role in the Museum Movement of India. He has vast and wide experience in survey of almost all important archaeological and historical sites of the State and important sites of India, in survey and exploration of ancient port sites from Talmud (West Bengal) to Baruah (Andhra Pradesh) and ancient and medieval forts of Orissa. His long experience and expertise are well nigh reflected in his several books and many research papers.

His laudable contribution to the scholarly world lies in the publication of a series of books on religion, history, martial tradition, tribal culture, art, and architecture and a large number of edited volumes (titles of which are given in this book). He is one of the editors of Orissa Historical Research Journal, published by the Orissa State Museum, Bhubaneswar. To his credit, he has published as many as 850 research papers on the above-noted subjects in Indian and international journals. Seven scholars in history including an Italian scholar have been awarded Ph.D. degrees under his guidance and supervision.

At present, he is engaged in the study of Jain an Art, Erotic Art and Fauna Imagery in the Temples.