Cultural Heritage of India: Traditional Handicraft and Fine Arts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on India's cultural heritage, handicrafts, fine arts, music, and dance.

Cultural Heritage of India

The collective legacy of India's material, genetic, and cultural life—traditions, arts and crafts, education, festivals, and daily life practices—handed down through generations.

Genetic Inheritance

The transmission of physical and mental traits from parents at birth.

Material Heritage

Houses, land, estates, and other properties inherited from ancestors.

World Yoga Day

June 21, celebrated worldwide as International Day of Yoga.

Artisans

Skilled craftspeople who create traditional handicrafts and fine arts.

Clay Work

Craft involving clay to make utensils, toys, pots, and other wares; includes chulha and earthen items.

Potter's Wheel

A rotating wheel used by potters to shape clay.

Terracotta

Clay that has been baked (or sun-dried); used for utensils, sculpture, and pottery.

Indus Valley Civilisation (Lothal, Mohan‑Jo‑Daro, Harappa)

Ancient urban centers in which early clay wares and crafts are found.

Navratri Garba

Gujarati circular dance performed around an earthen lamp during Navratri.

Weaving and Embroidery

Textile crafts: producing fabrics by weaving and decorating with embroidery.

Patola of Patan

Double‑sided Patola silk sarees from Patan (Gujarat), renowned for intricate weaving.

Bevad Ikt

Patola silk produced with the weaving technique; ‘Ikt’ means weaving.

Ikt

Weaving (the technique used to create Patola patterns).

Bandhani

Tie-dye textile technique from Gujarat creating patterns by tying sections before dyeing.

Leather Industry

Use of animal skins to make bags, drums, footwear, belts, and other leather goods.

Mojadi

Traditional leather footwear from Rajasthan.

Enamel Work

Inlaying bright enamel colors into gold or silver jewelry and ornaments.

Jari Work

Embroidery with gold and silver threads to decorate garments.

Diamond Bead Work

Beadwork and diamond-set ornaments; historic use in Indian jewelry.

Kohinoor

Famous diamond historically associated with Indian and world jewelry traditions.

Akik Work

Inlay work using Akik (chalcedony) and other semi-precious stones.

Inlay Work

Setting gems into metal surfaces as decorative ornamentation.

Painting

Art of expressing with lines and colors; evidence from Harappa era; Ajanta–Ellora; Bhimbetka and Rangoli traditions.

Sangeet Makarand

Music treatise by Narad (about 900 BCE) describing veenas and rhythms.

Sangeet Ratnakar

Ancient music text by Pandit Sarang‑dev; foundational for Indian music studies.

Sangeet Parijat

Important 17th‑century text on Hindustani music by Pandit Ahobale; notes ragas and tunes.

Allauddin Khilji / Amir Khusro / Tuti‑e‑Hind

Medieval era figures; Khilji ruler Allauddin Khilji and poet Amir Khusro; Tuti‑e‑Hind (‘Parrot of India’) for cultural contributions.

Bhakti Movement

15th–16th century devotional movement; key composers include Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Kabir, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Narsinh Mehta; Bhakti sangeet traditions.

Nritya

Sanskrit term for dance; art of rhythmic movement (dance).

Nataraj

Shiva, the Lord of Dance; origin of Indian dance tradition.

Bharatnatyam

Classical Indian dance from Tamil Nadu; origins in Tanjor; foundational texts include Natya Shastra and Abhinav Darpan.

Kuchipudi

Dance style from Andhra Pradesh (15th century); known for storytelling and expressive gestures.

Kathakali

Kerala dance-drama famed for elaborate makeup, facial expressions, and hand gestures.

Kathak

North Indian narrative dance focusing on stories of Krishna; characterized by spins and footwork.

Manipuri

Dance form from Manipur; Raslila emphasis; two styles: Lasya and Tandav.

Natyashastra

Ancient treatise on performing arts by Bharata Muni; foundational to Indian drama and dance.

Bhavai

Gujarati folk theatre; socially conscious drama around 700 years old; minimal sets and trumpet accompaniment.

Garba

Gujarati folk dance from Navratri; circular dance around a lamp or mandvi.

Dandiya

Rhythmic sticks dance (Dandiya Raas) performed with Garba and Rasas.