The Development of Indian Artistic Traditions: A Comparative Inquiry into Classical and Contemporary Visual Forms

This study examines the development of Indian artistic traditions in drawing and painting through a comparative analysis of classical and contemporary visual forms. The research aims to trace continuities and transformations within Indian art, highlighting the aesthetic, cultural and philosophical dimensions that shape its evolution. Methodologically, the paper employs a qualitative and descriptive approach, supported by visual analysis of selected artworks from classical traditions such as Ajanta murals, Mughal and Rajput paintings, alongside modern and contemporary practices represented by Amrita Sher-Gil, M.F. Husain, and others. The findings reveal that while classical art is deeply rooted in spirituality, symbolism and collective identity, contemporary practices reflect experimentation, individual expression and engagement with socio-political realities. The study concludes that Indian art embodies both continuity and rupture, where timeless aesthetic principles coexist with innovative reinterpretations, thereby affirming its dynamic role in negotiating cultural memory and modernity.