Mughal miniatures combined intellectual erudition with artistic sophistication to create objects of everlasting beauty.
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About The MAP Academy
The MAP Academy is a non-profit online resource that consists on an Encyclopedia of Art, Courses and Blog that encourage knowledge building and engagement with South Asian art. Its aim is to make art histories more accessible, based on the idea that doing so can have a positive social impact through broadening perspectives on humanity, heritage and culture.
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The purpose and meaning of this small bronze statuette remains a mystery.
Dancing Girl from Mohenjo-daro
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Coming Soon: Kinship and cloth: intimate expressions ...
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Coming Soon: Systems of work: the caste ...
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Coming Soon: Comfort and utility: textiles in ...
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Coming Soon: Motifs and patterns: fundamentals of ...
From hand-painted and dyed fabrics to complex weaving techniques, the Indian subcontinent is home to a diversity of textile traditions.
Practice and perfection: textile traditions
Across South Asia, a majority of textiles are distinguished by their unique methods of weaving
Tools and processes: producing cloth
From soft cotton fabrics and lustrous silks, to metallic embroidery and vibrant dyeing techniques, the Indian subcontinent’s regionally distinctive traditions are deeply reliant on local resources
Rooted in the soil of the earth: ...
The carvings on the Bharhut Stupa are intricately carved—and are some of the earliest examples of narrative Buddhist art.
Bharhut Stupa Relief Sculptures
Sculptures from the ancient region of Gandhara are notable for their expression of Buddhist faith and unique combination of stylistic influences.
Gandharan Sculpture
Kathakali is one of Kerala’s most popular and recognizable dance forms today.
Kathakali dance and masks
Paintings in the rock shelters in Bhimbetka are the oldest art of South Asia.
Bhimbetka cave paintings
Paintings in the rock shelters in Bhimbetka are the oldest art of South Asia.
Bhimbetka cave paintings
In tracing the histories of textile production, we encounter a turning point in the 18th century, when the Industrial Revolution impacted the production of handmade textiles.
From handmade to factory made: industry, trade ...
Do you have a lucky outfit, or a favourite accessory that you always wear when you have to take an exam, appear for an important interview or participate in a competition? You’re not alone!
Warding off the evil eye: talismanic textiles
Opulent textiles were leveraged by kingdoms and empires to affirm their place in society while also revealing deep societal imbalances.
Imperial splendour: textiles and royal life
Across daily life as well as festive occasions in the Indian subcontinent, we see the prominent use of forms of clothing that date back thousands of years.
Dress and diversity: costumes traditions of the ...
Many South Asian artisans involved in weaving, dyeing and embellishing textiles are custodians of traditions that date back centuries.
Secrets of the trade: inherited traditions
Have you ever found yourself pulling loose ends of threads from your clothes? Not only do threads like these construct textiles, but the seemingly ordinary materials they are made of are embedded in deep histories.
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