Music Iconography portrayed in South Asian Buddhist Arts (Based on Veena engravings in Pitalkhora Buddhist cave)

Abstract

This study addresses the research question: "Does the seven-stringed Veena depicted in the Pitalkhora Buddhist caves resemble harps from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, and Greece-Rome, or is it influenced by Hindu practices?" To explore this question, a comprehensive literature review and archaeological examination were conducted. The literature survey included library research, map studies, and texts such as the Tripitaka and Jataka, alongside scholarly articles. The archaeological examination aimed to identify structural evidence regarding the characteristics of the Veena engraved in the Pitalkhora caves. Findings indicate that the Veena represented in the stone carvings closely resemble harps from Egypt, Persia, and Mesopotamia, as well as Greco-Roman forms. In contrast, there are no significant similarities between this Veena, and those depicted in Hindu religious customs and practices. Thus, it is evident that the Veena in the Pitalkhora caves is distinctly influenced by these ancient cultures, reflecting Buddhist customs and practices while diverging from the characteristics of the Hindu Veena.