ARTS OF SOUTH,

WEST, AND CENTRAL

ASIA
 INDIA
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARTS AND CRAFTS OF INDIA?

Indian arts show the great cultures and traditions of the Indian
people. Their wonderful examples of architecture, sculpture,
painting, and crafts reflect the age-old traditions of this
country. Indian craftsmen are well-known for beautifully
designed metalworks, jewelry, ivories, utensils, fabrics, and
woven materials.
 ATTIRES AND ACCESSORIES /
ARTIFACTS
• The sari or saree is a traditional Indian woman clothing which represented India in
any formal occasion. It is a strip of unstitched cloth ranging from four to five meters in
length that is draped over the body in various ways. The most popular style is to wrap
it around the waist with one end draped over the shoulder baring the midriff.
• The dhoti is man's strip of cloth which is wrapped around the waist, fixed with belt
which is either ornamented or embroidered or flat or simple. Men in village preferred
the flat and simple six-feet long white cotton strip. It is usually tucked when the
person is working in fields or workshops. It is left open in worship places or in formal
occasions, as a mark of respect.
• The reverence for life is much typified by the Hindus in creating a statue of Ganesha,
the God of light and festivals. It is plated with gold sheet.
• A turban (dastar or pagri) is worn by the Sikh community of India. It is a symbol of
faith and values such as honor and spirituality.
ATTIRES AND ACCESSORIES /
ARTIFACTS
dhoti turban

Ganesha sari or saree

 PAINTING
Painting in India is a medium stating spiritual ideas. Indian painting is done on scrolls. It
shows the rewards of good and evil deeds in the world.
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE
The Taj Mahal, a mausoleum in
Agra, India, is regarded as one of
the most beautiful buildings in the
world. It is one of Seven Wonders of
the World. It is just not known for
its pristine beauty but much of its
grace lies in the fact that it is a
monument dedicated to love. Taj
Mahal was built by Mughal
Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved
wife Mumtaz Mahal.
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Akshardam Temple
in Delhi, India
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Harmandir Sahib
in Amritsar, India
INDIAN ARCHITECTURE

Lotus Temple,
located in Delhi,
India.
 IRAN
What is Iranian art?
Iranian art or Persian art has
one of the richest art heritages
in the world history. It excels in
many forms of art like
architecture, painting, weaving,
pottery, calligraphy, metalwork
and stonemasonry.
 WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
ART OF SAUDI ARABIA?
Saudi Arabian art could be understood better when one
knows that the country is the birthplace of Islam. The
commonality of the principles and elements of the art
of all Islamic nations is shown in the rendition of
constructing the arches and dome of their mosques.
Muslim set the mosque as the pattern of all the motif of
art which they try to create.
 ARCHITECTURE
The horseshoe arch is the
primary design of the mosque.
Muslims prefer the convex and
hemispherical roof (the dome)
to cover the prayer hall of the
mosque, erect the “minaret”
(the vertical tower) on the
facade, and build the mihrat
and minbar (platform for
reading) at the end-portion of
THE MOSQUE OF THE PROPHET
the mosque.
MUHAMMAD IN MEDINA
 TURKEY
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TURKISH ART?
The art of Turkey includes all works of visual art since the arrival of the Turks in
the Middle Ages. It also reflects the mixed influence of the Christians and
Muslims who in the course of history, ruled Turkey, one after the other.
A concrete example is the Christian church
called Haggia Sophia which is in Istanbul.
The Romanesque style of architecture is
manifested in its towers, domes, and arches
but the Islamic style is found on top of the
main dome.