GS1 - glossary

GLOSSARY

Term	Explanation
Abstraction and abstract art	Involves simplifying or exaggerating forms derived from the world to highlight essential characteristics. Linked to modernism, it emphasizes a departure from direct representation.
Academic realism or academic art	A style of painting and sculpture influenced by European academies or universities, introduced in India during the colonial period with art academies established in major cities like Kolkata, Chennai, and Lahore by the mid-19th century.
Aesthete	An individual who deeply appreciates and is sensitive to art and beauty.
Agate	A fine-grained, variegated form of chalcedony, featuring colours arranged in stripes, clouds, or moss-like forms. Used often in jewellery and decorative items.
Alchemy	The medieval forerunner of chemistry, focused on converting base metals into gold or finding a universal elixir.
Amalaka	A ribbed, lenticular, or globoid stone piece that resembles the Indian gooseberry (amla). It typically crowns the top of a North Indian style shikhara (temple tower).
Anda	The semi-circular dome structure often seen in architecture, symbolizing the vault of the sky in religious buildings.
Aphorism	A short phrase that says something true or wise.
Arabesque	An ornamental design featuring intertwined flowing lines, including leaves and flowers, commonly found in Islamic art.
Ardhmandapa	A semi-hall located in front of the inner sanctum of a Hindu temple, serving as a transitional area.
Art critic	A professional who evaluates and critiques art, often publishing reviews in newspapers, magazines, books, or online.
Ashtadikpalas	Guardians of the eight directions in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, each responsible for a specific territorial region.
Astronomy	The scientific study of celestial objects, including their positions, motions, radiations reaching Earth, and their nature.
Avant garde	Refers to innovative or experimental works and ideas in art, culture, and politics, often challenging existing norms and conventions. In India, associated with the cultural practices of political radicals and liberal intellectuals.
Ayudhas	Weapons associated with deities, symbolizing their power and duties in Hindu mythology.
Āyurvedacharya	A graduate level medical degree awarded after completion of an undergraduate program (BAMS) in Āyurveda.
BAMS	Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery.
Batter	A slope in the wall, often designed for structural and defensive purposes in fortifications.
Bibliophile	A person who loves and collects books.
Bosses	Circular, embossed decorations typically made in stone of contrasting colours, located on either side of an arch and within the spandrels to enhance architectural beauty.
Burin	A pointed tool made of flint or stone with a transverse edge, used historically for working bone, antler, ivory, and possibly for engraving.
Calligraphy	The art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush, often used in manuscript illumination and artistic pieces.
Caturasra	A term meaning "square", often used in the context of architectural floor plans or plots in Indian architecture.
CE	Common Era, a secular term used to denote years, replacing AD (Anno Domini), aligning with the same numerical dating system but avoiding religious connotations.
Celibacy	The state of not being married and never having sex, especially for religious reasons.
Cessation	The stopping of something; a pause in something.
Chahar Bagh	A square, walled garden divided into four smaller parts by intersecting water channels, symbolizing the Islamic concept of paradise.
Chaitya	A Buddhist shrine or prayer hall with a stupa at one end, often enclosed by an arch.
Chaitya Arch	A semi-circular arch with a pointed tip at the centre towards the top, often seen in Buddhist rock-cut architecture.
Chakra	A wheel, symbolizing cycle or progression in various cultural contexts, prominently featured in Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
Chamfer	The act of cutting off the edge or corner of a structure, typically a beam or post, to create an angled edge, thereby increasing the number of sides and reducing sharpness.
Chert	A flint-like sedimentary rock, usually black or dark brown, used in building and making tools, noted for its conchoidal fracture but with a coarser texture than flint.
Chevron Patterning	A decorative pattern consisting of inverted 'V' shapes, commonly used in architecture and design.
Chhatra	An umbrella-like structure often placed atop a stupa or monument, symbolizing protection and high rank.
Chhatri	A cupola resting on four pillars, typically topped with a dome or pyramid-shaped roof, commonly found in Indian architecture, symbolizing honour and pride.
Chiaroscuro	An artistic technique dealing with the use of light and shade in visual compositions, particularly in drawing and painting.
Circa-annual rhythm	Biological processes in living creatures with approximately one-year periodicity, synchronized with the seasons.
Circadian rhythm	The internal biological clocks that synchronize cellular metabolism and generate rhythms with a 24-hour periodicity.
Colophon page	A section in a book detailing publication information such as the place of publication, publisher's name, and date.
Community art	Art focused around community engagement, involving dialogue and interaction with local communities. Originated as a movement in the late 1960s in countries like the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, and Australia. In India, it's been associated with artists working on themes like exploitation and social disparities.
Conglomeration	A mixture of different things that are found all together.
Connoisseur	A person with expert knowledge and refined taste in the arts, food, or drink, capable of acting as a discerning judge in these areas.
Corbel	A structural piece of stone, wood, or metal jutting from a wall to carry a superincumbent weight, typically supporting a cornice or arch.
Cornice	A decorative moulding at the meeting point between the walls and ceiling, typically used as a roof-line or top finish.
Cornucopia	A decorative object shaped like an animal’s horn, shown in art as full of fruit and flowers.
Crystal	High-quality, clear, colourless glass, or objects such as vessels or ornaments made from this glass.
Cubism	An artistic movement led by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in 1907, inspired by African sculpture and Paul Cézanne. Cubism involves analyzing and segmenting objects from multiple viewpoints rather than a single perspective.
Curators	Originally keepers of cultural heritage institutions, modern curators also strategize art displays, select themes, and engage the public. Responsibilities include writing labels, catalogues, essays, and other exhibition supports.
Dado Panel	The lower part of the wall, architecturally distinct from the upper section, often decorated differently. Examples include the Jamali Kamali tomb in Mehrauli and the Turkish Sultan’s palace in Fatehpur Sikri.
Dargah	A shrine dedicated to a Sufi saint, typically housing the grave (mazar) of the saint.
Darshana	In ancient Indian literature, it refers to the fundamental and codified disciplines of Indian knowledge systems, literally meaning 'to view or observe'.
Dhammachakrapravartana	Refers to the first sermon delivered by Buddha at Sarnath, near Varanasi, which set in motion the 'Wheel of Dharma'.
Digital artist	An artist who utilizes digital technologies such as computer graphics, digital photography, and computer-assisted painting. This medium allows for the mass production of artwork.
Doctrine	A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, a political party, etc.
Dogmas	A belief or set of beliefs held by a group or organization, which others are expected to accept without argument.
Dravida	Relating to the people, culture, languages, and architectural styles of South India.
Dressed Stone	Stone that has been precisely cut and smoothed for use in construction, giving a more refined appearance.
Easel painting	Art created on a portable support like a panel or canvas, popular since the introduction of oil painting in Europe around the 13th century.
Eclipse	The darkening of a celestial body by another's shadow. A solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth align, casting the Moon's shadow on Earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.
Encaustic Tile Work	A technique involving ceramic tiles with patterns or images inlaid with different colours of clay.
Epistemology	The part of philosophy that deals with knowledge.
Etching	A printmaking process where the artist etches lines into a metal plate covered with wax or acrylic ground using a needle. The exposed metal is then dipped in an acid, which etches the exposed lines. The plate is inked, wiped clean (leaving ink only in the etched lines), and then pressed with paper to create prints. This method allows for multiple impressions from a single plate.
Expressionism	An artistic style that conveys intense emotion rather than physical reality, often using exaggeration, visible brushwork, and strong colours to express ideas or emotions.
Faience	A glazed non-clay ceramic material, typically blue in colour, used for making ornaments and jewellery.
Faience	An attractive glazed ceramic or stone with a lustrous sheen.
Folio	An individual leaf of paper or parchment, numbered on the front side only, either loose as part of a series or forming part of a volume.
Foreshortening	An artistic technique used to create the illusion of an object receding strongly into the distance or background. It manipulates perspective and angles to make objects appear closer than they actually are.
Gahapati	A term referring to a wealthy landowner or farmer who is significantly involved in both farming and trade.
Gaṇita Anuyoga	The exposition of the principles of mathematics, detailing the foundational concepts and methods used in mathematical practice.
Garbhgriha	The sanctum sanctorum or the innermost chamber of a Hindu temple where the primary deity is installed.
Genre	A category or style of art, music, or literature characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.
Gopuram	The main gateway or monumental tower at the entrance of a South Indian Hindu temple, palace, or city, typically ornately decorated and towering.
Gouache	A type of paint consisting of natural pigment, water, a binding agent (usually gum arabic), and sometimes additional inert material. Gouache is designed to be opaque.
Hamam	A Turkish public bath, featuring facilities for massage and sauna, reflecting the region's emphasis on communal and ritual cleansing.
Harmika	A small square structure or fencing around the 'anda' or semi-circular dome of a stupa, symbolizing the sacred area around the top of the stupa.
Hermeneutics	The area of study that analyses and explains written texts.
Iatrochemistry	A branch of chemistry from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries that combined chemistry with medicine to treat diseases.
Illusionism	An artistic style in which representations are depicted so realistically that they trick the eye, appearing three-dimensional.
Imam	A Muslim clergy who leads the congregation in prayer. Historically, this role can become hereditary within certain communities.
Incontinence	The lack of ability to control the bladder and bowels.
Indigenous art	Art that is native to a particular region or culture, typically utilizing traditional practices and materials. It draws inspiration from the cultural heritage and history of its origin.
Installation art	A contemporary art form combining various media (painting, sculpture, video, technology, etc.) to transform the perception of a space. Installation art can involve interactive components and is designed to engage multiple senses of the viewer.
Intaglio	A technique in which a design is cut into the surface of a hard stone or gem, creating an image that is the inverse of a cameo.
Internationalism	A trend in art that embraces artistic movements from across the globe, particularly Europe and the United States. After Indian Independence, many artists aspired to modernism and integrated these international influences into their practice.
Jagmohan	A hall located directly in front of the sanctuary or main temple, often used in Indian temples, especially in Odisha.
Jali	Decorative lattice screens made from carving stone or wood, featuring intricate patterns including arabesques and geometric designs.
Jasper	A form of quartz known for its rich red, yellow, or brown colours, commonly used in jewellery and decorative arts.
Jataka	Tales recounting the previous lives of the Buddha, often used in Buddhist literature to impart moral and philosophical lessons.
Jati	The term for caste in India, denoting the traditional division of society into hierarchical social classes.
Kalam	A term used to describe a style or technique of painting.
Kalasha	An ornamental wide-mouthed pot that decorates the shikhara (spire) of a Hindu temple.
Kapaṭa-sandhi	A method of multiplying numbers, specifically referred to in ancient mathematical texts for its application in computations.
Keystone	The central stone placed at the summit of an arch, crucial for distributing weight and locking the other stones into place.
Kos minar	A historical distance marker or milestone, typically tower-shaped, used along roads in India during the Mughal era.
Kuta	A shrine with a square plan, commonly found in Hindu temple architecture.
Lapis lazuli	A rich blue semi-precious stone, often flecked with gold, sourced mainly from Afghanistan, used in inlays and jewellery.
Linga	A representation of Lord Shiva worshipped in Hindu temples, symbolizing his generative power.
Linocut	A printmaking technique in which a design is carved into a linoleum surface with a sharp tool, and the raised areas represent a mirror image of the parts to be printed. The linoleum sheet is inked with a roller, and then impressed onto paper.
Lithography	A method of printing originally based on the immiscibility of oil and water. A porous surface, traditionally limestone, is used to create an image with a greasy medium. Acid and gum arabic are applied to create a chemical barrier to protect the drawing from water, which is then applied and adheres only to the non-greasy areas. Ink is applied and sticks only to the original drawing surface, making an image.
Mahamandapa	A large hall located in front of a temple, typically used for gatherings and rituals.
Mahaparinibban	Refers to the death of Lord Buddha, marking his final release from the cycles of death and rebirth.
Mandap	A hall that forms part of the temple complex, used for various ceremonial purposes.
Manushya Āyurveda	Āyurveda specializing in human health and treatments.
Maqbara	A mausoleum or tomb, particularly in the context of Muslim heritage.
Mastak	The head or the uppermost part of a structure or statue.
Medallion	A circular disc located in the spandrels of arches, often decorated with motifs or calligraphy.
Medhi	A cylindrical drum, typically forming the base of certain types of classical Indian structures.
Metaphysical	Connected with the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of existence, truth, and knowledge.
Metaphysics	A branch of philosophy aimed at determining the real nature of things, exploring beyond physical and scientific explanations.
Mihrab	A prayer niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca, towards which Muslims pray.
Mimbar	A stepped pulpit in a mosque, particularly used in the Jama Masjid or Friday mosque, from where the Khutba (sermon) is delivered.
Modernism	A philosophical and cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th century, affecting various aspects of life and thought. It promotes a universal approach and has significantly influenced thought processes in colonized and non-European countries, including America, Africa, and Australia.
Mṛga Āyurveda	Āyurveda focusing on animal health and treatments.
Mukhlinga	A representation of Shiva as a linga with a face, combining anthropomorphic and aniconic elements.
Multiple foliations	Architectural element featuring multiple arches with repeated curves, enhancing the visual complexity of the structure.
Mundane	Not interesting or exciting.
Mural	Artwork painted or applied directly on a large permanent surface such as walls or ceilings. Murals are one of the oldest forms of artistic expression, with origins dating back to prehistoric cave paintings.
Mysticism	Religious practice that involves ideology, ethics, rites, myths, legends, and magical elements. It typically seeks to achieve communion with or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, divine presence, or spiritual truths through direct experience, intuition, or insight.
Nagara	A style of North Indian temple architecture characterized by beehive-shaped shikharas (towers).
Naqqar khana	A drum house located typically over the entrance gate of Mughal palaces where ceremonial music was played.
Naturalism	An artistic style and theory focused on the accurate depiction of detail, aiming for visual realism.
Natyamandapa	A hall dedicated to dance performances, located typically at the front of a temple complex, also known as Rangmandapa.
Neem kalam	A term used in art to refer to line drawing.
New media	Art forms that utilize contemporary media technologies, such as digital art, computer graphics, virtual art, and interactive technologies. New media art contrasts sharply with traditional media such as painting and sculpture, and often involves a dynamic or interactive component.
Non-polar compounds	Compounds not soluble in water, like fats and oils.
Panchayatana	A temple layout where the main shrine is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines, one in each corner, forming a quincunx pattern.
Pathan architecture	A style of architecture associated with the Khalji rulers of Delhi, noted for its austerity and robustness.
Pendentive	A triangular architectural element that allows a circular dome to be placed over a square room by transitioning the weight.
Performance art	A form of contemporary art in which the actions by the artist are the final, actual piece of art. It can happen live in front of an audience or be recorded and mediated by technology. Originating in the 1970s in the West, it often involves the artist using their body to express artistic ideas or concepts.
Physiognomy	The study of a person’s facial features or expressions, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin. The term can also refer to the general appearance or atmosphere of something.
Pietra-dura	A technique of inlaying coloured stones into marble to create high-detail pictorial mosaics, notably used in the Taj Mahal.
Pintadoes	Derived from the Spanish word for 'painted,' this term can refer to painted bodies or objects.
Polar compounds	Water-soluble compounds such as polyphenols, tannins, and carbohydrates.
Polychrome	Refers to an object or work that is composed of or decorated in many colours, often used to describe vivid and multi-coloured artworks.
Popular art	Art forms facilitated by reproduction technology allowing for mass access through multiple copies. Examples include calendar art. While popular artists may exhibit in high art galleries, their themes often reflect everyday life experiences.
Pradakshina	The act of circumambulating or walking around a sacred object or shrine in a clockwise direction as a form of worship in Hindu rituals.
Printmaking	The art of creating prints from a single original surface called a ‘matrix’. Each print is considered an original piece due to the originality involved in the printmaking process, rather than being mere copies.
Qibla Liwan	The wall in a mosque that faces Mecca; it is the direction that Muslims face during prayer.
Qila-i Kuhna Masjid	A mosque built between 1530 and 1545, either during the reign of Humayun or Sher Shah, located inside Purana Qila in Delhi.
Quartz	A common mineral found worldwide, used in toolmaking and for ceremonial purposes; includes varieties like agate and opal.
Rasa	In the context of Ayurvedic pharmacology, it refers to taste as a chemosensory perception, literally meaning 'juice or essence'.
Realism	An artistic movement that originated in mid-19th century France, focusing on depicting subjects as they appear in everyday life without embellishment or interpretation.
Rekhaprasad or Latina	A style of North Indian temple architecture featuring a square base with walls that curve inward towards a shikhara or spire.
Renaissance art	A period of artistic revival in Europe, particularly Italy from the 14th to the 16th century, which sought to bring back the art and literature based on classical antiquity ideals.
Renouncing	To state publicly that you no longer have a particular belief or that you will no longer behave in a particular way.
Rigorous	Done carefully and with a lot of attention to detail.
Rishi	A Sanskrit term for an accomplished and enlightened person.
Rupkar	A term used in Indian contexts to describe an artisan or craftsman.
Sabha Mandapa	An assembly hall within a temple complex, typically used for gatherings and religious functions.
Saṁkhyāna	The science of numbers, encompassing both arithmetic and astronomy, reflecting the comprehensive mathematical and astronomical knowledge of the time.
Saracenic	An architectural style associated with Muslims in West Asia, prevalent from the eleventh to the fourteenth century.
Sarai	A resting place or lodge for travellers, equivalent to a caravanserai or dharamshala in South Asia.
Sect	A small group of people who belong to a particular religion but who have some beliefs or practices which separate them from the rest of the group.
Seers	A person who claims that they can see what is going to happen in the future.
Sfumato	An artistic technique of blending tones and colours to achieve a more gradual transition, typically used to soften outlines and create a hazy or more realistic image.
Shala ayatasara	A term meaning "elliptical," often used to describe architectural features that have an elongated circular shape.
Shikhara	The tower or superstructure above the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) in North Indian style temples, designed to rise vertically and ornately.
Shilpa texts	Ancient Indian manuscripts that detail the principles and elements of art and architecture, intended as guides for artisans and architects.
Shilpi	An artisan or craftsperson skilled in creating art or architectural features, often referred to in the context of traditional Indian crafts.
Shraman	Members of a Buddhist sect known for their ascetic lifestyle and practice of moving from one place to another.
Sidereal Period	Refers to the actual period of a planet's revolution around the Sun. For Earth, it is 365.256 days; for Mars, it is 686.980 days; for Jupiter, it is about 12 years.
Solstice	The points in the year when the Sun reaches its greatest declination. The winter solstice (around December 23) and summer solstice (around June 21) mark the extreme positions of sunrise towards the north and south, respectively.
Sovereignty	The supreme authority and independence a ruler or state possesses over its governance, free from external control.
Spandrels	The almost triangular space that forms between the curves of an arch and the rectangular boundary enclosing it.
Spasmodic	Happening suddenly for short periods of time; not regular or continuous.
Spectrometer	An astronomical instrument used to measure the energy distribution of various types of radiation.
Squinch	An architectural element that forms an arch over the corners of a square space to support a dome, effectively transitioning the shape.
Steatite	A soft stone that is typically greyish or greenish, easy to carve, and used historically for making figurines, seals, and other small objects.
Stellate	Refers to an architectural design featuring arches arranged in a star-like, radiating pattern, often used to embellish ceilings or vaults.
Sthapati	An architect, particularly one involved in temple construction in India, traditionally responsible for the overall design and construction.
Stupa	A dome-shaped structure in Buddhist architecture that houses relics and is used as a place of meditation or worship.
Sulbasūtra	Derived from the practice of surveyors using cords and pegs to mark straight lines on the ground, essential for constructing accurate geometric shapes and altars in Vedic rituals.
Supercluster	An association of galaxy clusters and groups, consisting of several rich clusters, many poorer groups, and isolated galaxies.
Sutradhara	The chief artisan or master builder, especially in Indian architecture, overseeing the construction and ensuring adherence to traditional methods.
Suzerainty	A relationship where a sovereign or state has control over another ruler or state that retains internal autonomy.
Tablet	A flat piece of stone, clay, or other material, engraved with text or images, often used for commemorative purposes.
Terracotta	A type of clay used in pottery and sculpture that becomes a reddish or ochre color when fired; known for its porous nature.
Tessellation	The process of creating a two-dimensional, repeating mosaic pattern on floors or walls without gaps between the tiles.
Torans	Decorative gateways in Indian architecture, often intricately carved and typically found in temple entrances.
Treatise	A long and serious piece of writing on a particular subject.
Trefoil	An architectural design featuring three overlapping rings or lobes, commonly used in arch designs to create ornamental patterns.
Tridosha	Fundamental concepts in Āyurveda for health and disease management, encompassing Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha, each associated with specific biophysical and physiological parameters.
Turquoise	A semi-precious stone with a distinctive sky-blue to green colour, used extensively in jewellery and ornamentation.
Valabhi	A sub-type of the Nagara style temple architecture, characterized by its specific design features.
Vang	Ancient name of the Bengal region, historically significant in the cultural and political landscapes of South Asia.
Varna	The four-fold division of ancient Indian society into classes based on profession: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.
Vesara	An architectural style noted during the Chalukya period in Karnataka, blending northern and southern temple styles.
Video art	An art form that utilizes moving images in video format, which may include audio. Originating in the 1960s and 1970s in the West, video art emphasizes the visual and auditory experience and has gained popularity globally since 2000.
Vihara	A residence or monastery used by Buddhist monks, often part of temple complexes in Buddhist cultures.
Vijanain	Temples characterized by a rectangular building with a roof that arches into a vaulted chamber.
Viman	The tower built over the main shrine in South Indian temples, elaborately designed and often richly decorated.
Volute	A decorative element featuring a spiral or scroll shape, commonly found on capitals of columns in classical architecture.
Voussoir	A wedge-shaped or tapered stone used in the construction of arches, critical for distributing the weight of the arch.
Vritta	Circular in shape, often referring to architectural elements or plans.
Vṛkṣa Āyurveda	Āyurveda that deals with plant health and treatments.
Yajurveda Saṁhitā	The prayer-books used by the Adhvaryu priest, who performed most of the ritualistic duties during a sacrifice, containing essential rituals and procedures.
Yakshas/Yakshanis	Demi-gods and demi-goddesses in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology, associated with natural elements and treasures.