The Rich Tapesty of Indian Art – June 2025, Renaissance

Release of Renaissance, Volume VI, Issue 6
Date: June 21, 2025

Namaste to all on this International Yoga Day. We are reminded today of the Mother’s insights on the parallels between the discipline of Yoga and discipline of Art. We hope our readers enjoyed the offerings under the theme of ‘Art as Yoga‘ in the Renaissance journal.

The Mother says that “the greatest nations and the most cultured races have always considered art as a part of life” (CWM, Vol. 3, p. 108). India is perhaps the richest nation in terms of having a great diversity of art forms. These are often grouped — somewhat ignorantly — under the label of ‘crafts’ or ‘folk art’. They include a rich variety of embroidery to ornate metal-craft, from pottery of different regions to elaborate painting styles.

Each of these traditional art forms has a unique aesthetic appeal. But more importantly, they are living and breathing examples of how art in India has always had deep connection with life. Only those parts of India “which are a little too anglicised have lost the sense of beauty,” says the Mother (CWM, Vol. 5, p. 340).

“Art in India, contrary to a common idea, dwelt much upon life”, says Sri Aurobindo (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 206). The highest art has always been inspired by a spiritual view of existence and tried to express the hidden spiritual truth behind the outer form. But even when the artist intends to express some aspect of the outer life or simply to create a form for decorative purpose, there is still some sort of a suggestion or hint of some higher spiritual reality or a deeper psychic suggestion reflecting through the finished work.

The June 2025 issue of Renaissance journal is now released; it can be accessed at <renaissance.aurosociety.org>.

Since September 2024, the editors and authors have been exploring different facets of ‘The Spirit and Forms of Indian Art‘. Several offline and online events have also been part of this exploration, touching upon a large number of topics and reflecting on many dimensions of artistic traditions of India.

The current issue of Renaissance comprising 10 articles makes a total of 100 articles in the Art series. From painting to poetry, from traditional to digital, from past to the future, like a rich Phulkari this issue presents a rich tapestry of creative expression. In addition to the guidance from Sri Aurobindo’s writings, the issue also features works by several authors including Rabindranath Tagore, Sisirkumar Ghose, Beloo Mehra, Narendra Murty, Narendra Joshi, Sunil Kumar, and Samir Kanta Gupta.