MASH Podcast

In this episode, we will take a look at the Vesara temple’s architecture. The architectural style of the temple is not completely new but rather an interesting confluence, almost a consolidation of Nagara and Dravida styles. The towers of Nagara temples in northern India are above the sacred innermost chamber. Independent in form, they dominate over any other structure throughout the temple; the o...

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of the Chola Dynasty — a formidable South Indian empire that flourished from the 9th to the 13th centuries CE. Originating in present-day Tamil Nadu, the Cholas expanded their influence far beyond their homeland, conquering the kingdoms of the Pallavas, Cheras, and Pandyas to establish a vast and significant empire in Southern...

In this episode of the podcast, we’ll delve into the structural and ecological brilliance of one of the most iconic examples of Pallava architecture: The Shore Temple. To trace the evolution of the Dravida temple style, we’ll also take a brief look at the Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram, the historic capital of the Pallava dynasty. Along the way, we’ll explore the concepts of akam and puram , wh...

In this episode of the podcast, we will briefly examine monolithic structures from the Pallava dynasty, which became precursors to future Dravida temples. Continuing along similar lines, we will also explore these monolithic structures to understand their functions and purposes. As you might recall, in the previous episode our discussion focused on the Udayagiri caves — highlighting how a monolith...

In this episode of the podcast, we shall delve into the fascinating world of Dravida temples. While we have briefly studied Nagara and its subdivisions in the north, Dravida temples predominantly belong to southern India, with Vesara temples found in the central part. Whether you find yourself in the temples of Tamil Nadu or the grand structures of Rajasthan, each temple tells a story of devotion,...

In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the magnificent Sun temples of ancient India, exploring the evolution of Nagara styles, including Kalinga and Bhumija. We’ll discover how to identify these distinct styles and examine the patronage of the Solanki dynasty, who built the iconic Modhera Sun temple in western India. We’ll also marvel at the Sun temple of Konark, and explore the iconography...

In this episode of the podcast, we will discuss the Nagara-style temples, and deep dive into the tremendous merger of socio-cultural elements with religion during the Chandella dynasty. We shall discuss the exceptional and infamous Khajuraho temples. We’ll try to answer some pertinent questions — who were the Chandellas, and what inspired them to build the Khajuraho temples? What has successive re...

This episode of MASH podcast will focus on the grand legacy and the golden age of the Gupta dynasty, with a special focus on the Dashavatara temple and the iconography of Lord Vishnu. It will delve into what the Trimurti — the collective of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva — symbolises in the Hindu cosmology and their functions. We’ll also take a look at how Vishnu’s reverence gained momentum in Hinduism...

The podcast will focus on the Nagara style of temple architecture, expanding on the definition of sub-categories (Rekha Prasada or latina, etc.) with examples. The podcast will begin with revising the significance of the structures/ parts of the temple. The episode will also share the facts regarding the first temple constructed under the patronage of the Gupta kingdom, whose reign was known as th...

The third podcast will explore the mythological aspect of temple architecture in India. A temple is a corpus of extensive Hindu mythology, depicting myths from puranas in mandapas as a representation of secular life, images of gods and goddesses in garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), and other decorative motifs. We will further focus on the iconography of Gods, Goddesses, semi-gods, etc., and how th...

The second episode focuses on the making of the temple, elaborating the plan of the temple, which is the Vastupurusamandala, as mentioned in the ancient textual sources. We will further elaborate on the evolution of the temple architecture – From a temple with just a garbha griha and mandapa to the inclusion of antarla (vestibule) to several mandapas, eventually forming temple towns. Tune in to li...

The Episode begins with contextualising the essence of being in the temple — how one feels or behaves in the temple and how the temple has been significant in India. We also dwell upon the Buddhist architecture that led to the foundation of a dedicated place for devotion followed by the philosophy of the “sacred”. Further, we focus on the prominent religions of India, viz Buddhism, Hinduism, and J...

Shivani Aggarwal's works come from a process of continuously breaking herself to understand not just the world around her but the world within her. Her process is an emotional premonition of her own situation or condition. Over the past few years she has been involved with creating, enlarging , bending and twisting common everyday objects that she finds in her regular environment. Her art pra...

We have arrived at the end of the podcast series, Indian Art History. In this episode, our host Ayushi takes us to the complex comprehensions of contemporary Indian art. She takes a route via art practices of several contemporary artists through the value of threats, love and care while looking at the contemporary urge to make art. Image Credits: Art Limited/Sudhir Patwardhan; Written and hosted b...

The Episode introduces you to the practice of different artists post independence. Through their varied narrative and abstract practices they shaped the modern art landscape in India. They exchanged ideas and techniques with the rest of the world and carved a niche for the South Asian artists. . Image Credits: Met Museum; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

Maksud Ali Mondal (1993, based in Santiniketan) was born in Bankura, West Bengal, India. His practice includes facilitating an experiential understanding of organisms in a durational, built microcosm, using sculpture, painting, drawing, installation and photography. His work deals with microbial contamination as a conversational expression, based on observation of growth, transformations and decom...

As India edged towards independence from the British, Indian artists also set free their aspirations, beliefs and conformities by experimenting and searching for visual idioms that made their work more of the subcontinent. Tune in as we discuss the art of prominent artists. Image Credits: National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA); Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

A quick tour to 19th century Kolkata. We are particularly visiting the Kalighat temple where the Kalighat paintings are being sold as souvenirs to pilgrims. This resulted in an art style that spoke not just about religion and mythology but also urged its readers to think beyond through social satire. Image Credits: Christie's; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

Bunu Dhungana (b.1981) is an artist based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She uses photography as a medium to explore and question the world around her. Her background in sociology informs her photographic work, questioning notions of gender and patriarchy. While her personal projects centre around gender, she has worked in a wide range of fields from visual ethnography, NGO/INGO work, to commercial and jour...

This episode takes you to the art and architecture of Awadh. It was uniquely driven by the Shia Nawabs who collaborated with their Mughal, Persian and English sensibilities to raise an essentially South Asian culture. Image Credits: Yale Centre of British Art; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

Let us dive into the anthropological realism of the Company Paintings. Image Credits: Bonhams; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

Sathi Guin’s works aspire to search and create an identity amidst several entities. Her paintings provide a platform not only for her exploration of her ”self” but as a means to be a part of another more real world. In this one of a kind podcast, learn more about the artist.

Pahari paintings marked the end of the long standing themes and subjects of God, royal ways of exquisite living and love commissioned by the Rajput rulers. Image Credits: qgGV_J7YgKTe9A at Google Cultural Institute ; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia

Grimanesa Amorós is an interdisciplinary light artist creating site-specific monumental sculptures. Her work’s unique relationship to technology engages viewers in dialogue with cultural legacies, architecture, and the surrounding community. In a one of a kind podcast, learn more about the early life of the artist, and what inspires her current practice!

Tune in as we scan the depths of the earliest palm leaf miniatures and their contribution to Rajasthani miniature. Image Credits: Bani Thani - National Museum, New Delhi; Written and hosted by: Ayushi Chaurasia