Harmonizing Beauty: A Comparative Study of Western and Indian Approaches to Aesthetics

Aesthetics is an intricate field of philosophical inquiry that attempts to define and explore the nature of beauty, art, and taste. Within Western and Indian intellectual traditions, aesthetic theories have evolved to serve different cultural, philosophical, and spiritual functions. This paper offers a comparative study of Western and Indian aesthetic discourses, tracing their foundational theories, key philosophical perspectives, and how they have informed artistic practice. From the Western emphasis on reason, representation, and mimesis, to the Indian focus on emotional engagement and transcendence, this study provides an analytical lens for understanding the complexity and diversity of global aesthetic thought. It also highlights how these traditions have interacted and influenced one another, leading to an integrated vision of aesthetics in contemporary contexts.