Feminine beauty in art form during early medieval India

Abstract

Early Medieval India is well known for its temples, erotic sculptures and invasions, especially in the context of Chandella dynasty. When one deals with erotic sculptures and female sculpture, it is felt that they are full of lust – yet, the reality is entirely different. Today mostly, it is believed that in art form feminism means outer look of any sculpture but when dealt in depth, it can be realized that while making these art forms there was a specific purpose of making particular form. The philosophy of beauty was more dominating aspect in spite of creating a form or idol. Feminism has little bit to do with a female as per physical appearance. Feminism is a quality like masculinity in our Indian culture; since we rarely judge any creation on its face value (outer appearance), one use to see the hidden potential and qualities within. Most of us are aware of the concept of “Ardhanarishwara” which is one of the Shiva’s iconographical depictions in Temples. In literature feminism and masculinity have been defined as Prakriti and Purush. Prakriti is the feminine aspect of creation. and energy in every living and non-living thing. Pra means surrounding whereas Akriti means object or creation. Thus, every part of creation has the feminine aspect, but the most full-fledged potential of feminism has been identified in creation is women. Women’s receptivity is such that she is the adobe creation, which is able to give life. It does not only include the birth of a child, but also it includes the form and manifestation of that energy in different forms like music, dance, Goddess etc. It is believed that feminine quality is controlled or governed by moon. In Hatha Yoga ‘Ha’ means sun and ‘Tha’ means Moon. Female haves 11 points which governed with waning and waxing of the moon. Thus, women are the symbol of compassion, sensuality, love, joy, divine, bliss, creation.