Symposia & Conferences
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Item A Comparative Analysis of Symbols and Motifs in Jain and Buddhist Religions(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Prakash, R.The history of human thought discloses that man has been in constant search of truth and happiness. There are times when we do not understand what is being meant by a word, a thought, an act, or a thing. We need other things to describe them in order to properly understand their meanings. This is particularly true when we are dealing with works of art in the literary world. This is why symbols and motifs are created: to help us understand. The Jain Symbol is a congregation of various symbols, each having a deeper meaning. Many Buddhist symbols need to be considered within the culture of the people who follow it. Therefore, many of the early symbols relate to ancient India and can be found in Hinduism as well, although possibly with a somewhat different meaning. It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to accept images of himself as he did not like to be venerated as a person. To symbolise the Buddha in the very early art, one used mainly the Eight Spoked Wheel and the Bodhi Tree, but also the Buddha's Footprints, an Empty Throne, a Begging Bowl and a Lion are used to represent him. A motif is an image, spoken or written word, sound, act, or another visual or structural device that has symbolic significance. It is used to develop and inform the theme of a literary work. The concept of a motif is related to a theme, but unlike a theme which is an idea or message, a motif is a detail that is repeated in a pattern of meaning that can produce a theme while creating other aspects at the same time. The present research is thus based on all these important issues based on archaeological evidence and literary sources.Item Elephant in Ancient Indian stories(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Vinaya, K.Elephant, the gorgeous animal has played an important role in ancient tales. It has become a part of the life of many heroes in various stories. One of such heroes is Udayana, who is well-known for his expertise in the Elephant-lore. In the Buddhist stories also we find the elephant assuming a leading and vital position. In the Puranas also the elephant symbolises pomp and riches. It will be really interesting to note the place this animal has got in the ancient literature and various aspects of its usage. This paper intends to note the intension behind the employment of this motif of the elephant and its significance in any particular story or plot conceived by any poet. It is intended here to present a graph of such ideology and trace out the evolution through the historical point of view in the imaginative usages by the poets and the representation of notions and concepts presented by means of this element of nature. Also it is aimed here to think about the perspective behind the use of this symbol in the ancient tales, be it Ancient Indian or Buddhist or Puranic.Item Elephants and Gods: A Sacred Alliance(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Palande-Datar, S.K.; Khare, A.V.Stories of elephant in life and legends have captured the imagination for the countless generations of Indian subcontinent. The very form of the elephant triggers awe, delight and extraordinary grandeur, in one’s mind. Thus, it is no wonder that it has been assimilated and internalised in legends and stories of Indian subcontinent. Throughout the history, cannons of all the three main religious traditions of India are filled with mythological stories where elephants are part of central story, in association with Gods and Goddesses. Both malevolent and benevolent aspects of elephants are superbly utilised in the description of deity and/or mythological narratives. Various shilpa texts further stress and elaborate on the iconographic elephant association, brought out by these sacred texts. These iconological associations take its form in the sculptural compositions found in religious complexes across Indian subcontinent. So much so, that the very deity can be identified with the specific elephant aspect. The common examples are easily observed in the story of Ganeśa or in the form of Gaja-Lakṣmī. The paper, thus, aims at tracing this sacred alliance between elephants and religious pantheons in Brahmanical, Jaina and Buddhist traditions of India through prominent examples. It attempts to comparatively evaluate the textual narratives and sculptural art.Item The Portrayal of Women in Gandhara Art(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Siddiqui, K.S.The ancient Gandhara region has a diversified history. Gandhara region had experienced a noteworthy status at all times. The region has a very strong cultural and historical background since earliest times, which reputes it with the regions of great regard. Its significance was heightened with the artistic activities which were employed to serve the Buddhist faith since first century BCE to sixth century CE, known to the world by the name of “Gandhara art”. It was intended to spread the Buddhist faith through the depiction of Buddha and his life story. Besides, men and women were portrayed with great stylistic diversity in Gandhara Art. The representation of females in Gandhara art is far sophisticated as compared to the other arts of India, which obviously reflect their high and respected position in society. They were mostly depicted with their bodies covered with elegant dresses. The status of women can be studied by reviewing how women were portrayed in art. Ordinary women as well as goddesses and few mythological beings were portrayed in Gandhara art. The paper aims to investigate the various influences that women had over the society and provide information to help the understanding of this important area of art and culture. An effort will be made to examine the status of women in ancient Gandhara solely on the evidence of the art of that region rather than on the information of the literary source.Item Decorative Patterns in Ranbir Singh Baradari, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Azhar, S.T.; Khan, S.A.Antiquarian and early archaeological activity in Kashmir has a long history ranging from pre-Buddhist up to British period. A new chapter in archaeology of Kashmir begins with the survey of Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Qauid-i-Azam University, Islamabad which unveiled a great number of archaeological sites and monuments in the region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In this program, a very interesting monument came to light which interested the travelers. This monument is the Ranbir Singh Baradari, which is so unique in its art and architecture that it holds a rainbow of different cultures like Greek, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim respectively. The Ranbir Singh baradari is a distinguished specimen among other “baradris” not only in art and architecture but also due to its eye-catching location. The said monument is documented for the first time on an academic platform not only to project its marvelous design but also to highlight the concerning issues.