The Evolution of Indian Aesthetic Thought from Vedic to Classical Periods

DOI: https://doi.org/10.70593/978-93-7185-779-6_13

Authors

Asmita Kulkarni
JAIN(Deemed-to-be University)

Synopsis

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Indian aesthetic notions have been influenced by the Indian spiritual, philosophical, and cultural way of life over several millennia. This work describes the journey of aesthetic theory from the Vedic period, where beauty was seen as part of the divine harmony, up to the mature classical era represented by Nāṭyaśāstra of Bharata and the Rasa theory of Abhinavagupta. This study through primary texts and philosophical traditions finds that the shift in focus from ritualistic and symbolic art towards a metaphysical understanding of aesthetic experience (ānanda) is noticeable. The main point of the research is to explain how the Indian aesthetic system not only comprises the artistic creativity but also elevates it to spiritual realization, thus, making it a totally different paradigm from the Western models.

Downloads

Chapter 15

Volume

Indian Knowledge System: Aesthetics, Philosophy, Cultural Semiotics , Skill Education and Contemporary Relevance

Pages

85-88

Published

18 November 2025
Copyright (c) 2025 Ramachandra N U; Asmita Kulkarni, Hima S, Ganesh Rajput, Shruti Sneha, Priyanshu Gowda B, A.N. DeepaShree, Nagul Yogendra S.J, Sweta M , Rakshitha Chaithra V, Deepthi B.C., Charan R, Rakesh M, Rehana Khan; Geetha Madhusudan, Shivakumara D. C. , Natesha L; Trivedi Nikunj P, Aishwarya J.S, Rakhi K. Shah, Sathish Kumar H, Kamda Singh Deo , Davasam Sanjana, Punith K B, Pruthvishree M, Yashaswini

How to Cite

Asmita Kulkarni. (2025). The Evolution of Indian Aesthetic Thought from Vedic to Classical Periods. In R. N U, Geetha Madhusudan, Shivakumara D. C., & Natesha L (Eds.), Indian Knowledge System: Aesthetics, Philosophy, Cultural Semiotics , Skill Education and Contemporary Relevance (pp. 85-88). Deep Science Publishing. https://doi.org/10.70593/978-93-7185-779-6_13
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