Drawing is the greatest among all arts
In the treatise named विष्णुधर्मोत्तरपुराण, the science of drawing is described in detail. The dialogue
between (the sage) मार्कण्डेय and (the king) वज्र in that (book) is
famous. When the king वज्र
asked, 'what is the means
of happiness in this world and the next world?’ the sage मार्कण्डेय explained the greatness of drawing in this way-
'Just as सुमेरु is the
greatest of all the mountains, the eagle is the pre-eminent among the birds, king is the most excellent among men, similarly in this world the art of drawing is
greatest of all arts.'
With the art
not only not only the artists, but even common people get happiness.
Drawing is
the greatest among all arts, it gives religious merit (धर्म), wealth (अर्थ), sensual pleasure (काम)
and salvation (मोक्ष).Where it (picture) is placed in the house it first indicates auspiciousness.
The pioneer
of this art of drawing was नारायण who was
the son of धर्म (and) was the sculptor of gods.
Generally lines, shape, light and shade
are important (in drawing). Achieving similarity is said to be the main factor
in drawing. Place, proportion, beauty, size
of land, distinction, similarity, reduction (diminution) and augmentation these eight qualities should be integrated
in a picture. The beauty of the
picture is enhanced due to these (qualities).
In drawing, the real test of an
artist happens in using colours and his skill is also manifested in it. White (श्र्वेत:), red (रक्त:), yellow (पीत:), black(कृष्ण:) and green(हरित:) are
known as five primary colours. The numbers of other colours created by mixing
two or three colours are countless. But the black and white colours are very important
for mixing. The beauty of the picture is increased by blending the colours.
But the creativity of an artist is
important in this aspect.
At the time of explaining चित्रसुत्र, the sage मार्कण्डेय has
described the proportion of height and depth. The term चित्रसुत्र comprises the height of men
and women in the picture, their body-structure (figure) and each and every part
of their body. All these should be proportionate.
Because, indeed without proportion, a
picture does not become attractive. Besides the nine रसाs (sentiments) such as love, pathos, etc. that
are described in poetics should be depicted in the picture. The depiction of रसाs
(sentiments) creates liveliness in the picture. The emotions of heart are
expressed by body movements. The depiction of feelings should be according to
the nine रसाs
(sentiments).
In order to explain how the भवाs
(emotions) and रसाs (sentiments)
should be depicted in the picture, the characteristics of the pictures are
narrated. The rules about how a picture should be drawn according to the nature
of a person are also described. For example while drawing the picture of a man
who is peaceful by nature, the eyebrow should be in the shape of half moon. The
eyebrow of a dancer should be bow-shaped. The picture of deities should be
drawn adorned with ornaments, having pleasant face and wearing silk garments.
The depiction of a sage should be with matted hair, wearing the skin of a black
deer, lean and possessing lustre.
Beauty is the important aspect of a
picture. Having learnt the proportion of each and every part of the body, in
which part reduction is necessary, in which part augmentation is essential,
this should be thought of by the artist. Thus, all the guidance that is
necessary for the expertise of the artist has been given in विष्णुधर्मोत्तरपुराण.
In fact art is the God's gift but attaining
proficiency in it is surely dependent on man. That alone is the purpose of
sciences and there only lies the usefulness of studying the sciences.
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