Knowing the aim of life is one of the main reasons why spirituality is important to most people. Reflecting on who you are can expand your knowledge about what human existence generally means.The Vedas, known from the times of 6,000 BCE or earlier are oldest books of wisdom of the world. They werepracticed by the people of the Indus Valley area present in Indian sub-continent. They carry scientific concepts and concepts that give a way of living life. Being connected to them keeps us connected to our existence. Also I would like to describe another medium which plays an important role in connecting us to our past creativity and innovations. It is nothing but Art. Art is a something that tells about the authors creative, visual, auditory, imaginative or technical skill, and are meant to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power. It is the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of artistic objects.
When we combine both these concepts a new concept originates. The concept on which we have placed our focus on. It is of “VEDIC KALA”. The work Vedic Kala is a specifically a Sanskrit word. The word “Vedic” means something related to Vedas and the word “Kala” means art. When added together they form a meaningful concept that is a concept of an “Art related to the Vedas”. The meaning itself is very spiritual and meaningful and this is why it is our concern.
We have known numerous forms of arts that belong to various states of our country. Words will fall short if I start writing about the Indian Art. So why not pick a state from all these 29 states. I choose “Bengal”. the explanation is apparent. Bengal is state of diverse art forms and culture. The Indian state of West Bengal contains a rich cultural heritage. Because of the reign of the many different rulers within the past, arts and crafts in West Bengal underwent many changes giving an inventive diversity today within the types of traditional handicrafts, terracotta, painting and carving, dance, music except of natural beauty and glorious past the state has the strong hold of art and architecture which made the state so unique.
By promoting the idea of Vedic Kala we aim at promoting the idea of handmade culture which is the beauty of Bengal. The art and handicrafts of Bengal has succeeded to grab the attention of people from all over the world. So I am here to describe its beauty.
There are many important examples of early works of art in Bengal, such as clay art in Hindu temples.
Terracotta warriors or clay crafts have always been a symbol of mankind’s first attempts at crafts, just as the pottery wheel was the first invented machine that used the power of movement to achieve production purposes. However, its connection to religious rituals gives it a deeper meaning. In West Bengal, the clay tradition has been discovered since the earliest times. They are a symbol of the fulfillment of the wishes of the villagers. In order to meet the commercial needs of the modern global market, rural ceramists often combine traditional rural abstraction with exquisite urban taste to display terracotta art works.
Bankura, a potter who makes terracotta warriors and elephants. Over the centuries, they have transformed from a realistic presentation to a representative presentation. Potters from different regions focus on different parts of the animal body, so that the performance of the animal becomes more important than the performance of the entire animal body. Chapter
Speaking of art, how can one leave the famous paintings of this great state.
Patachitra paintings are the true cultural heritage of West Bengal. The Patua community in West Bengal has an ancient history of practicing Patachitra craftsmanship. Naya is a picturesque small village in Paschim Medinipur, with about 250 patuas or chitrakars. Bangladesh Patachitra has various aspects such as Chalchitra, Durga Pat, Medinipur Patachitra, Kalighat Patachitra, mud wall painting and so on. D. P. Ghosh mentioned in his book “Bangladesh Folk Art” the different styles of Patachitra from Bangladesh to West Bengal.
Chalchitra is part of Bengal Patachitra, it refers to the background of Debi Chal or Durga chala, Durga Pratima or idol. Patua, the Chalchitra artist called it PataLekha, which means Patachitra script. The 300-400 year old idol of Nabadwip Shakta Rash uses Chalchitra as part of Pratima. At one time, the use of Chalchitra gradually faded, but now it is very popular. Nabadwip’sChalchitra artist Tapan Bhattacharya said: It is nice to see a lost painting.
Durga pot or Durga sara is considered the adoredpatachitra. Hewas worshiped in the HatsarandiSutradhar society inthe Birbhum district during the time of Durga Puja. This type of patachitra is also worshiped asKatwa. Durga Pot has a semicircularPatachitra, with Durga Patachitra in the middle. Ram, Sita, Shib, Nandi-Vringi, Brahma, Vishnu, Shumbha-Nishumbha are painted on this Chalchitra. KrishnanagerRajrajeshwari Durga is considered unique. In the middle of Chalchitra, there is PanchananShibwith Parvati athisside, Dasha-mahabidyaon one side andDashabatar on theother.Handicrafts form a vital part of Art forms of this beautiful state. Lets peek into the beauty of these attractive and elegant art form.
Clay art has a long history in West Bengal. Ghurnifromthe Nadiaregion is very popular for making clay idols. West Bengal has an ancient doll heritage.These dolls are usuallymade by women in the potterycommunity. Dolls made of soft clay and fired clay are found throughout West Bengal. Each of these dolls is different. The terracottawarriorsfromPanchmura, the Hingul and Tusu dolls from Bishnupur, the Jo dolls from Midnapore, the Kanthalia dolls from Murshidabad, the Sasthi dolls fromCoonoor, the ManashapotsfromDakshindari, and the ShivaheadsfromNabadwip are allfamous.Kantha Stitch is one of the most distinguished handicrafts of Santiniketan in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.
Dokra art is the most engrossing and creative art of West Bengal. The Dokras are now spread over the western part of West Bengal in four districts namely Bankura, Purulia, Midnapore and Burdwan and mainly occupy Bankura and partsof Purulia. Various kinds of images and figurines of gods and goddesses, birds and animals, like Lakshmi, Lakshmi-Narayan, Shiva-Parvati flanked by Ganesh and Kartik, elephants, horses, owls, peacocks etc are made by Dorka artisans of Bankura.
Wooden art is a very old and famous tradition of West Bengal. We can see wooden protima or idol in Indian Museum. The art-making wooden dolls have been an ancient practice in West Bengal and Natungram is one out of all .Wooden dolls are made by a village named Natungram of West Bengal. Some of the dolls are like Gouranga, Krishna, Bor-Bou, Gour-Nitai, owl etc. Other wood made materials are Gomira masks of North and South Dinajpur in West Bengal.
Bamboo crafts are a very ancient tradition in West Bengal. Various shapes and patterns of baskets are made using native traditions and techniques. In West Bengal there is a tradition of a tray-like bamboo basket. Different types of baskets, hand-held fan, sieves etc. are also made and painted with propitious and are used in marriage and other ceremonies.
There are infinite reasons to appreciate the beauty of the state. But the fact that how the people over their have kept themselves rooted to their grounds and have beautifully and artistically promoted their Art encourages us to do the same. It also gives a room to unemployed people to find a job and give a direction to their life. And that is why we stand firm is support of the beautiful, creative and artisitic concept of “VEDIC KALA.”