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the image the idea
and the saint
Art in religion
The inextricable affinity between art and religion goes back to the ancient era and across civilizations
as manifested in emblems of Asian scriptures, African iconography and European artifacts. In India
much of the artistic endeavor was channeled in the service of God within the context of a spiritual
and celestial world, and to communicate the great truths to the mankind. The cannons of Shilpasastra
and philosophical concepts of Karma, Rebirth, Ahimsa and Panchtatva are all rooted in this oriental
theology. Impacted by Bhakti cult and the myth and magic of a multi religious culture that includes
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism and Judaism, Indian art is
marked for its sacred architecture, sculptures, murals and paintings, not just across the pilgrim cities
from Rameshwar to Gangotri, Ajmer Sharif to Konark; but also contemporary marvels such as the
Bahai Temple in white marble and Akshardham Complex in pink sandstone with elaborately carved
sculptures, both in the centre of Delhi. During religious festivities such as the legendry Kumbh
mela classical, tribal, folk and contemporary arts are seen to coalesce to create a magical religious
fervor.
And of course no study of Western art history is complete without a reference to some of the
churches in Europe that adorn elaborate stained glass paintings, murals and statues to illustrate and
supplement principles of Christianity with images of Jesus, Virgin Mary and other emblems of sacred
art as well as scenes from the Old Testament. Even in sects that do not believe in deifying their Gods,
imagery in tangible sacred art objects associated with the religion such as the calligraphic Quranic
manuscripts in the Middle East, are applied to endow a form and reality to religious beliefs for the
faithful. Though often created with religious patronage and mainly for worship, beautifully crafted
sacred utilitarian artifacts are also collected by the non believer purely for their aesthetic merit. And
there are instances of religion taking on political colour as free creative expressions around icons
and theology, get impeded and termed sacrilegious by the fanatic believer.
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