The shatkona as a part of asthmangala and beyond ashtmangla
Justification (Why this topic or focus? What is the purpose of your research for you and for a wider audience? Why is it useful?):
Relationship to theory
There is nothing without a story in Indian Art. Every visual motif has a relevance in where, how and why it is used. The research I propose to take up is based on an aspect of an existing text called History of decorative art in Mughal architecture by R.Nath.
The Concept of the Ashtamangala
There are 8 main motifs used in Indian architecture before the Islamic invasion* which even theMuslims used in their buildings. They are used in other religions too and their meaning changes from religion to religion. The symbol has evolved through time and but the symbolism remains and so does the signification of auspiciousness.Relevance to the external environment/ Need The evolution of these motifs through time is very interesting. These motifs are still seen in our everyday environment, and are part our lives, even if we do not notice them.
Studying each of Ashtamangala symbol would not be feasible in the given time for this research. Therefore, I will focus on one symbol, the Shatkona. The form of the shatakona is made up of two triangles forming a star. The symbol is used in tantra, and other traditional knowledge/faith systems. The shatkona has adapted itself according to the changing times quite well. It’s adaption can be seen all around, my family home has a Iron gate which has star pattern and when I am travelling I can see the pattern on the windshield of car in front of me, pind baluchi has a whole wall which has star pattern. It’s a phenomenon which is going to be interesting to analyze especially in context of its modern day existence/relevance.
There is more confusions than answers everyone has their own conception about the Shatkona.
Relevance to your practice I feel every decorative motif found on our monuments has something to communicate and my research till now confirms it. I feel these motifs need a communicator to communicate their relevance in the society, their survival, their story.
I can see a story and I feel the story hidden behind the Shatkona. My research is an attempt to unearth this story.
What questions and methods you will use to answer them?
Sub questions and method used to answer them:
- What is the concept of the ashtmangalas?
Methods: Literature review. (Which books/articles/papers?)
Books: History of decorative art in Mughal architecture by R. Nath
Articles: Ashtmangala deva prashna by Shyamsundara Dasa
Ashtmangala by world lingo.com
Ashtmangla by symbol dictionary.com
- What is the meaning of Shatkona? From where did it originate? How it’s being used even today? What it was considered then and what it has become now?
Methods: Literature review.
Book: Yantra: the tantric symbol of cosmic unity by Madhu Khanna
Sri yantra – the ancient instrument to control the
psychophysiological state of a man
by alexey pavlovich kulaichev
- Can this generation relate to these motifs in the same way or any other way?
Method: Questionnaire about the motifs to be filled in by youngster and focus group discussion.
- How is it used these days? It’s journey from the forts and palaces to the normal household and from Sriyantra to the sign of satan?
Method: Observing its use taking photographs of it and reading about its uses.
Which main areas of literature do you intend to review and which specific key sources have you already identified
Key sources: Interview, observations of the pics taken and literature review. Use of visual tools?
Papers identified: Islamic star patterns By A. J. Lee
Books identified: History of decorative art in mughal architecture – R. Nath
Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity – Madhu Khanna
Tantric way by Ajit Mookerjee
Any other sources: (edit)
Internet
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