Indian Cultural Heritage: Arts, Literature, Architecture and Performing Arts

What the official syllabus says

GPSC Main Examination, Paper IV: General Studies-I, (B) Cultural Heritage.

• Cultural heritage of India and Gujarat: Art forms, Literature, Sculpture, Architecture, Music, Dances, Theatre, etc. from Ancient to Modern times.

This page covers India. Gujarat's arts are on Gujarat: Art, Literature, Architecture, Music and Theatre.

Topics in detail

The line runs from ancient to modern times. For each art, learn its main periods and schools, a few representative works and places, and the patrons behind them.

Architecture

• Harappan town planning; Mauryan pillars and stupas (Sanchi); rock-cut caves (Ajanta, Ellora, Karle)
• Temple styles: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara; Maru-Gurjara in western India
• Major temples: Khajuraho, Konark, Brihadeeswara (Thanjavur), Hampi, Dilwara
• Indo-Islamic: Qutb complex, Sultanate and regional styles, Mughal architecture (Humayun's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Taj Mahal)
• Colonial and modern: Indo-Saracenic buildings, New Delhi, Le Corbusier's Chandigarh

Sculpture and painting

• Sculpture: Mauryan polish, Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools, Gupta sculpture, Chola bronzes
• Painting: Ajanta murals, Pala and Jain manuscript painting, Mughal, Rajput (Mewar, Bundi, Kishangarh) and Pahari schools
• Folk and tribal painting: Madhubani, Warli, Pithora, Pattachitra, Kalamkari
• Modern art: Raja Ravi Varma, the Bengal School, the Progressive Artists' Group

Literature

• Sanskrit: the Vedas, epics, Kalidasa; Prakrit and Pali texts
• Sangam literature in Tamil
• Persian and Urdu literature; Amir Khusrau
• Bhakti literature in regional languages
• Modern Indian literature; national awakening in literature

Music

• The Natyashastra; Hindustani and Carnatic traditions
• Forms: dhrupad, khayal, thumri; kriti
• Gharanas and patrons; the Carnatic trinity
• Folk music traditions

Dance and theatre

• Classical dances recognised in India: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya
• Folk dances of the states
• Sanskrit drama; folk theatre (Yakshagana, Jatra, Tamasha, Nautanki, Bhavai); modern theatre

Preservation

• World Heritage Sites in India; intangible cultural heritage
• Institutions: the Archaeological Survey of India, the Sangeet Natak, Lalit Kala and Sahitya Akademis

Concepts to know

• Parts of a temple: garbhagriha, mandapa, shikhara or vimana, gopuram, amalaka
• Buddhist architecture: stupa, chaitya, vihara
• Mughal elements: charbagh garden, double dome, pietra dura
• Classification of musical instruments: tata, sushira, avanaddha, ghana
• Puppetry, martial arts and folk crafts as living heritage

Classical dances

Overlaps

• Prelims General Studies: cultural heritage of India and Gujarat.