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ARTS
Quarter 3 – Module 1
South, Central, and West Asian Arts
 In this module, you will learn that:
South, Central, and West Asian Arts were produced and can be classified into
specific periods, each reflecting particular religious, political, and cultural
developments. It intertwines with the enriching history, religions, and philosophies of
subcontinent.
You will learn how a strong sense of design can be observed in their modern as
well as their traditional forms. They exhibit ornate, very intricate, and colorful motifs in
their artworks where unusual free expression may be seen.
The Central Asia comprises five independent republics while the West Asia is a
region that encompasses Western Asia and part of North Africa.

LEARNING COMPETENCY:
 analyzes elements and principles of art in the production of arts and crafts
inspired by the cultures of South Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia.
A8EL-IIIb-1
 identifies characteristics of arts and crafts in specific countries in South,
West, and Central Asia: India (rangoli, katak, mendhi, diwali); Saudi
Arabia (carpet design); Pakistan (truck art); and Tibet (mandala), etc.
A8EL-IIIa-2
 reflects on and derive the mood, idea or message from selected artifacts
and art objects. A8PL-IIIh-1
 appreciates the artifacts and art objects in terms of their utilization and their
distinct use of art elements and principles. A8PL-IIIh-2
 incorporates the design, form, and spirit of South, West, and Central
Asian artifacts and objects to one’s creation. A8PL-IIIh-3
 traces the external (foreign) and internal (indigenous) influences that are
reflected in the design of an artwork and in the making of a craft. A8PL-
IIIh-4

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

 Discuss art elements and processes by synthesizing and applying prior
knowledge and skills
 Create artworks showing the characteristic elements of the arts of South,
West, and Central Asia
 Exhibit completed artworks for appreciation and critiquing

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 What I Know

Let us check what you know about arts in South, Central, and West Asia.
PRE ASSESSMENT
Read item below and determine the best answer. Write the letter of your choice
in your Arts notebook.
1. This is the Indian art of making designs or patterns on the walls or
the floor of the house using finely ground white powder along with
different colors.
A. Shirdaks C. Rangoli
B. Swatika D. Tajiks
2. This is a group of people that moves from one place to another.
A. Nomads C. Lakshmi
B. Trident D. Utilitarian
3. This is the act of fashioning and producing by cutting into or shaping solid
materials such as wood.
A. Painting C. Emulating
B. Carving D. Drawing
4. It refers to the major Hindu deity, and is the Destroyer or Transformer
among the Trimurti.
A. Vishnu C. Deity
B. Allah D. Shiva
5. This is a technique of mural painting executed upon laid lime.
A. Emulous C. Frescos
B. Vegetative D. Flamboyant

What is It
PERIODS OF INDIAN ART
Some evidences of the early civilization are bronze
and copper statuettes and steatite seals which show
vigor and concern for surface texture as constantly
characterized in Indian art.
The Ajanta Caves of Maharashtra, India are 30
rock-cut cave monuments that date back from the 2nd
century BCE to the 600 CE, including paintings and
sculptures considered to be masterpieces of Buddhist Ajanta Caves of Maharashtra
religious art, as well as frescos that are reminiscent of the https://bit.ly/3b1DW2J
Sigiriya paintings in Sri Lanka.

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Classical Period
The image of Shiva (as illustrated in the
picture on the next page), the destroyer,
develops into Shiva the Cosmic-dancer
represented by a four-armed figure. In this
figure, one hand holds the fire with which he
destroys, another holds a drum, which is the first
sound heard in the world during creation, then
the third arm points up in a reassuring gesture,
and fourth arm points down to the dwarf in which
he dances to. Shiva
https://bit.ly/3a93QlH

Islamic Ascendancy or Transitional Period

This was the period of evolution from Vedism into Hinduism or Brahmanism.
The two great Indian epics: The Mahabharata and the Ramayana, emerged in this
period.
Mogul Period
Moguls contributed to the enrichment of Indian culture in painting and in
architecture. The most splendid example is the Taj Majal built in 1632 by Shah Jahan
in memory of his wife.

Taj Majal
https://bit.ly/2N0ARb5

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 Diwali is celebrated by Hindus in India and all around the world in October or
November. It is the Hindu New Year and is either a 3-day or 5-day holiday depending
on where you come from.
It is very exciting and colorful holiday, where
homes are cleaned to welcome the New Year
and windows are opened so that the Hindu
goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, can enter. Hindus
believe that she cannot enter a house which is
not lit up, so every household burns special
Diwali clay lamps (diyas) to light the way for the
goddess. This is why the holiday is also known as
the “Festival of Lights”. Sample Lamp of diya
https://bit.ly/3775GBJ

RANGOLI
Rangoli is one of the most beautiful and most pleasing art forms of India. It
comes from the words “rang” meaning color and “aavali”
meaning colored creepers or row of colors. Rangoli is
the art of making designs or patterns on the walls or the
floor of the house using finely ground white powder
along with different colors. Numerous households in the
Indian subcontinent make use of rangoli designs for
decorating the courtyard of their houses.
The traditional form of rangoli made use of
designs and motifs based on nature, such as mangoes, Sample of Rangoli
creepers, flowers, swans, peacocks, etc. Even the Designs
colors in the traditional art form were extracted from https://bit.ly/3pfZ7TD
natural dyes, like barks of trees, leaves, indigo plant, etc.
These days, synthetic dyes have more or less replaced
the natural dyes of the earlier times.
The materials used in the rangoli patterns of today give either a very flat
appearance or a 3-D effect. Rangoli designs include geometric patterns, the swastika,
lotus, trident, fish, conch creepers, leaves, trees, flowers, animals, etc.
Pakistan
Pakistani architecture is divided into four
recognized periods:
 Pre-Islamic
 Islamic Mohenjo Daro
 Colonial https://bit.ly/3r
Gf4ny
 Post-Colonial

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 Around the middle of the 3rd millennium BCE, an advanced urban culture
developed for the first time in the region. Large buildings were built some of which still
survive to this day like Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, and Kot Diji which are among the
pre-Islamic settlements that are now tourist attractions.

Kot Doji
https://bit.ly/2LIel66

Across Pakistan, brightly colored flamboyant trucks painted with images of

idealized landscapes, famous personalities, flowers, and trees turned village lanes,
city streets, and long-distance highways into a gallery without walls; a free-form,
kaleidoscopic exhibition in motion. Some other arts of Pakistan include painted chests
and jars.

Truck Art of Pakistan

https://bit.ly/3qajrae

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 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in
your notebook.
1. It is celebrated by Hindus in India and all around the world in October or
November.
A. Rangoli B. Diwali C. Lantern Festival D. Halloween

2. The destroyer, represented by four armed figure.

A.Vishnu B. Mahabharata C. Shiva D. Buddha

3. A 30 rock-cut cave monuments that date back from the 2 nd century BC to the
600 CE.
A. Ajanta Caves B. Taj Mahal C. Kot Diji D. Mohenjo Daro

4. One of the most beautiful and most pleasing art forms of India.
A. Rangoli B. Diwali C. Truck Art D. Kot Diji

5. Another term used for the holiday or Hindu New Year.

A. Festival of Talents
B. Festival of Festivals
C. Festival of Lanterns
D. Festival of Lights

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Pre-Assessment
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. D
5. D
Assessment
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. A
5. D
Answer Key