‘All traditional arts are ‘conceptual art forms’.
What is conceptual art? – ‘Conceptual art is the mental summery of visual perception.’

Conceptualization of Parvati (plate 3A) is based on the observation and perception of the artist. It is full of metaphors and symbolism. It is a human form but not a real human being, an expression of Ideal Human Form. The composition is based on the traditional Tribhanga Gesture (mudra) (plate 3B) that became one of the popular rhythms of Indian Classical Dance. The elegance of female character is displayed through the soft and dynamic gesture. The observation of human characters synthesizing with the ideal conceptof human being has given birth of gods & goddesses.  The Chola Dynasty Bronze sculptures are excellent example of such aesthetic that brings out the true Indian aesthetic beauty with the help of balanced structural composition with decorative quality. Ardhanariswar Shiva (plate 3C) from Tanjore is an excellent work of art. The Tribhanga Gesture is applied in in the sculptural composition to create rhythm that is not static yet not dynamic. Creating such wonderful part-taking dynamism has made Indian art rich, which brings out the aesthetic beauty of the work. It presents the late classical period symbolism and metaphors of Ardhanariswar through the image of Shiva in Tribhanga Gesture. The elegance of Shiva through ideal proportion and balanced decorative quality brings out the true spirit of aesthetics in Indian subcontinent.

One has to perceive (eye sees and brain perceive) in order to conceptualize a form. When we try to give a visual form, it could be drawn, painted, or sculpted directly by perceiving an object. However, in traditional art form, the expression of the form is based on the experience of perception. One conceptualizes the form by observing, meditating, and then expressing through various creative art forms. The forms may not confirm to the actual or real human being or the object. Because the visual expression of traditional form would have full of myths, metaphors, symbols, magic and iconographical (A visual representation of an object or scene or person produced on a surface) details. It is the synthesis of reality based on observation or perception with the desired expression of the character. In such forms, the abstract elements of metaphors and symbolism play very important role. Understanding those symbolic representations is the key to the aesthetic appreciation. Thus, the forms are created not realisticallythe way we see. The characters confirms to the spirit of the object may not represent the exact normal forms or expression. It is more of a representational form expressing the spirit of the object. The human form in most cases is embedded with various metaphors and abstract elements. The traditional forms are the ideal concept of human being. Therefore, in traditional art, forms may appear relatively easy to appreciate but without understanding the abstract elements of the metaphors or symbols, the forms are not understood fully.