Studio: international art (82.1921)

'PARVATI SLAYING THE DEMON
MAHISASURA." IVORY CARV-
ING FROM BER HAMPORE

^(Victoria and Albert Museum)

HINDU ART AND ITS IDEALS. 0

ONE aspect of the truism that East is
/■East and West is West can be seen in
a brief survey of those essentials of art
wherein the twain differ. 000
To the Western mind art, with rare ex-
ceptions, is an imitation of nature visible to
the human eye. To the Hindu mind art is
a symbolism of spiritual vision. From the
first Greek sculptor who balanced his
figures by artificial support, the Western
artist has concerned himself mainly with
phases of a so-called material world—
sometimes beautiful, sometimes ugly, but
always J (to him) realistic. The most

striking exceptions are the works of
Cimabue, Giotto, and his immediate fol-
lowers, and the Gothic movement which,
according to Mr. E. B. Havell, received its
inspiration from the East. The Hindu
artist, however, realising what Christen-
dom for nearly 1,700 years has forgotten—
that this material world is Maya or illusion
—sought to pierce the veil of mirage and
see truth. Released thus from bondage of
the physical senses, he could express more
freedom in his work. A monotheist at
heart, he visioned a universe formed and
supported by an All-pervading Energy
which manifested Itself in aspects and
actions. These he symbolised by gods—

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