UGC Approved Journal No. 49321 Impact Factor : 2.591 Shodh Drishti (An International Peer Reviewed Refereed Research Journal), Vol. 8, No. 15, December, 2017 ISSN : 0976-6650 35 Art, Culture & Religious Aspects of Medieval India Rajiv Mandal Ph.D. Research Scholar, School of Art and Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China Professor Yang Xian Yi School of Art and Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China Associate Professor Wang Mei Yan School of Art and Design, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China Abstract Work of art produced in the vast geographical region on India. It the oldest art in the world and has its origins in remote antiquity. Indian art is visual art that, weather ancient or modern, originated in or is practiced in India and by Indian artists. Various civilizations often developed in separate, many people gradually came together and had made the innovations of their societies. The human figure assumed greater importance, and landscape painting acquired a new vitality. The surface of the paintings, especially the style and variety of brush strokes, became important. Still – life compositions came into greater prominence, especially Miniature Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Textile, Craft Works, Enamel etc. got an importance in the courts of periods after periods. Also the development in the field of religion, folk art and language in India and during the medieval times have been important milestones in the evaluation of the composite culture of India. New religions movements like Islamism and Buddhism along with Bhakti movement contributed to this process. The composite culture characteristic of the medieval period is amply witnessed in these fields. A new style of architecture known as the Indo – Islamic style was born out of this fusion. However, it is amazing that some of the painters tried to paint the classical ragas, thereby giving form and colour to such abstract conceptions as music. Seasons or Baramasa Paintings were similarly given artistic forms. Can you ever estimate the creativity of these artists? Ke ywords : Art, Culture, Tradition, Custom, Religion, Islamism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bhakti Movement, Temples, Architecture (single stone), Sculptures, Paintings, Symbols and Forms. Medieval India Development in the field of religion, folk art and language in India during the medieval times have been important milestones in the evaluation of the composite culture of India. New religions movements like Sufi and Sikhism along with Bhakti movement contributed to this process. If you look around, you will see the impact of Islam on many aspects of Indian culture. You have visited some famous monuments in India. These monuments stand as the symbols of the composite nature of Indo – Islamic culture in India. You can also see how various religions in India, including Islam, have influenced each other. Besides, every region in India is famous for giving shape to some folk art or the others. Development of folk arts through which the common people display their creativity in another significant aspect of Indian culture. The various regional languages that we speak today too have an interesting history which evolved during this period. The post – Gupta period of Indian history is remarked by the rise and growth of a number of regional powers throughout the country, to which South India was no exception. The regional power that has emerged in South India during this period were the manifestation of the formation of regional cultures also. Some of the powers could not concretize into states in their real sense, but could control powers of the respective regional powers, but most of the time they had to accept the supremacy of the comparatively major powers. The Pallavas and Cholas were the two important political powers existed in South India during the period between 7 th and 13 th centuries. Historical Aspects The Pallavas of the Kanchi were the most notable among the dynasties of the South India. The pallavas emerged in South in the middle of the 6 th century AD. At first they established power in the area called „Tondaimandalam‟ in course of time they extended their authority over in extensive area covering more than Tamil Nadu and Southern Andhrapradesh. Kanchi was their capital. The history of Pallavas till the period of Simhavishnu – is shrouded in obscurity. They seem to have ruled for a period of 200 years before Simhavishnu came to the scene. Towards the end of the 6 th century AD. With the accession of Simhavishnu, Pallavas attained grant political culture achievement. He claims to have conquered the Cholas and Pandyas. He had put as end to the Kalabras incursion in to the South India. Simhavishnu was succeeded by his son Mahendravarman. He was one of the greatest among the Pallavas rulers. The political history of the South India from the period of 6 th century to 8 th century is remarked by the struggle for supremacy between the Pallavas of Kanchi and Chalukyas of Badami. The struggle