Course abstract

• Indian folk artistry is uniquely recognized all over the world not only for richness of aesthetics but also as indicators of age-old habitual belief. • They comprise of tacit knowledge that is protected by passing on through generations. • Having said that one must also consider the folk artists as creative individuals with adequate freedom of expression to keep the tradition alive and going. • In India, the mainstream academic style of art synergized with the principle of vernacular art and culture to boost ‘Nationalistic’ idea as well as ‘Modernism’ since pre-colonial era. • The course traces the journey of an array of indigenous art styles from traditional to contemporary and comments on sustainability of culture through preservation, conservation and paradigm shift.