Browsing by Author "Trivedi, S."

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Bridging the Gender Gap: Reflections on the Pronounced Femininity in the Buddhist Art of Ratnagiri, Odisha (India)
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Trivedi, S.
Gender gap has been identified as a new crisis having adverse bearings on the economic and cultural growth of human kind. It is generally defined as a disproportionate difference between the sexes, specifically referring to the differences in the outcome of achievements of man and woman. Gender gap may be a modern terminology but Buddhism seems to have realized this in both Physical and Metaphysical sense and had attempted to bridge this gap in its own unique way. It would be interesting to study this through the evolution of Buddhist pantheon and its manifestation in art forms. This study focuses upon Ratnagiri, located in Jajpur district of the state of Odisha in India. The sculptural wealth and art of Ratnagiri belongs to 8th to 13c A.D. which has its beginnings in the Mahayan and saw its heydays in the esoteric phase of Buddhism. The most striking feature of Ratnagiri art is that a large number of female deities with due prominence and esteem are represented here. A comparative study of male and female deities is made to gather information about the position of gender gap and the process of bridging it. The variables adopted for analysis are symbolism, attributes and potencies of the divinities. The gender based survey of the icons revealed that Ratnagiri has not only produced probably the highest number of female deities as compared to the other Buddhist sites of India and other countries but also the forms that are rarely found at other sites. Till recently one hundred and fifty images of Avalokitesvara have been documented from all over Odisha whereas Ratnagiri alone has yielded more than hundred Tara figures. The incorporation of the female principle in Buddhist philosophy and its later anthropomorphisation is simply understood as borrowed from Hindu tantrism. It is argued and discussed that acknowledgement of female principle is an indigenous development in Buddhist philosophy and it may have an earlier date of origin than Hindu tantra. It is concluded that in later Buddhism as gleaned from the art of Ratnagiri, there are not just ideological propositions of female gods, but they appear as fully empowered to independently perform miracles and salvage their devotees. The frequency of occurrence of deities such as Tara, Marici, Hariti etc. suggest that they rose to the level of cultic figures and were among the most popular members of Buddhist pantheon.
Elephant in Trade between India and the Hellenic - Roman World: Commodity or Prestige Good?
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Trivedi, S.
Elephants and Ivory Objects in Foreign Trade of India in Ancient Times: From Curios to Commodity
(Centre for Asian Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Trivedi, S.
Foreign trade of India during the ancient period has been subjected to a newer kind of scrutiny in recent times. Nature of trade is probed not only to assess the financial aspect of trade, but more importantly, to evaluate and revaluate the influence of Indian culture and ideas over its trading partners and people. India has been actively engaged in trade with the Roman Empire and the Central Asian colonies through the silk route network in the early centuries of Christian era. This trade no doubt comprised of exotic goods as imports from India, but did not necessarily imply a trade in luxury items. Products procured from India were used by a large population in various forms and ways. Structure of the trade of India has mostly been defined as 'Luxury trade' and trade in 'Prestige goods', thereby, limiting its scope of impact on the recipient culture. Indian Elephants and ivory objects found a prominent place among the gifts as well as in commercial exchange; Greek writers from the time of Alexander's expedition of India wrote about Indian Elephants with a sense of awe and interest. Strabo, Arrian, Onesecritus and Pliny give elaborate accounts of elephants, elephant hunting and the elephant products such as ivory. The Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, a first century sailor's log book counts ivory and ivory items being exported from Indian ports both from North and South. This study presents an account of archaeological find of ivory objects of Indian origin found along the silk route region. Afterwards, an attempt is made to figure out why Indian Elephants and ivory objects were so coveted, whereas, near home elephants were part of fauna of Africa, and Greek writers seem to be well aware of it. This leads to a discussion of ivory craft and artisans of India. Nature of trade in ivory objects is also dealt with, to ascertain the prevalent assumptions about Indian trade with the western world.