SCULPTURES

OF PAKISTAN
Bianca Nicole A. Pineda
8 – Gauss
BACKGROUND
▹ Pakistan is a country having roots in historic culture that
dates back more than 5000 years and contains
reminiscences of the Indus civilization
▹ The artistic influences found in major Pakistani culture
are that of Islamic ideology, and also borrows heavily
from the Indian subcontinent
▹ The ancient artifacts found in the city of Moen-Jo-Daro
and similar excavations all over the country have yielded
that the region was very advanced in day to activities and
had a rich culture
BACKGROUND
▹ More recent cultural influences are those of Mughal era,
which has left its mark on much of our literature,
painting, architecture, as well as societal norms as we
practice today
▹ The current array of arts in Pakistan is hugely divergent
and spans a broad range of trends that are different in
individual provinces, cultures and regions of the country
BACKGROUND
▹ The first phase of the history of sculptures in Pakistan
links back 2000 years old civilization of Mohenjo-Daro
and Harappa
▹ The people were able to make images in carved stones
and used bronze and other materials for the picture
depiction
▹ They made big and small statues of Buddha and other
animals from rocks and erected them in mountains and
other different places of worship
SCULPTURE OF PAKISTAN
▹ The life story of the Buddha became
the staple subject matter for any and
all aspects of Pakistani sculpture
▹ The artwork was solely dedicated to
the propagation of religious ideals
▹ The focus was on the life story of
the Buddha
SCULPTURE OF PAKISTAN
▹ The materials used were either
kanjur stone finished with plaster
and paint or Schist stone
▹ Kanjur is basically fossilized rock
which can be easily molded into
shapes
▹ After the basic shape has been cut
out of stone, this is then plastered
with lime plaster to give it a
finished look
SCULPTURE OF PAKISTAN
▹ The Buddha is always depicted in
simple monastic robes, with his hair
tied in a bun known as the Ushnisha
▹ The expression on his face is almost
always one of content
▹ Buddha always had the central role
and can be immediately identified
by the halo and his simple attire
SCULPTURE OF PAKISTAN
▹ Various cult images of the Buddha were made for the
varying cults in the region
▹ Each cult image of the Buddha had its own distinct
identifying feature called the Mudra or hand gesture
▹ Examples of these Mudras are Bhumisparsha Mudra,
Dhyana Mudra, Abhaya Mudra, Dharmachakra Mudra,
Vitarka Mudra, Namaskara or Anjali Mudra, Vajra
Mudra, Uttarabodhi Mudra, Varada Mudra, and Karana
Mudra
BHUMISPARSHA MUDRA
▹ Bhumisparsha Mudra is one of the
most common Mudras
▹ It means “Touching the Earth”
▹ It represents the moment of
Buddha's attaining enlightenment
DHYANA MUDRA
▹ Dhyana Mudra means “Meditation”
▹ It is also called called 'Samadhi' or
'Yoga' Mudra
▹ It signifies attainment of spiritual
perfection
ABHAYA MUDRA
▹ Abhaya Mudra means
“Fearlessness”
▹ This gesture was shown by Buddha
immediately after attaining
enlightenment
▹ It symbolises strength and inner
security
DHARMACHAKRA
MUDRA
▹ Dharmachakra Mudra means
“Turning the Wheel of the Dharma
or Law”
▹ This gesture was exhibited by
Buddha while he preached the first
sermon to a companion after his
enlightenment in the Deer Park of
Sarnath
VITARKA MUDRA
▹ Vitarka Mudra means teaching and
discussion or intellectual debate
▹ It symbolizes the teaching phase of
preaching in Buddhism
THANK
S! questions?
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