Abstract

The polymath Abhinavagupta born between 950 and 960 A.D. in a scholastic, Kashmiri family who were the devotees of Shiva. He is one of the most important figures who had written on aesthetics. He is mainly known for his thoughts on shaivism but his works can be investigated from different point of views like philosophy, metaphysics, aesthetics, tantra and spirituality.  Some of his known works are Tantrāloka, AbhinavaBhāratī, DhvanyālokaLocana, Anuttarāṣtikā, Īśhwara-Pratyabhijñā-VivṛtiVimrśinī, Bhagavadgītārtha Saṁgraha. Many scholars around the world are studying his philosophy on art. A 10th century Kashmiri philosopher who wrote the theory of Rasa and transferred it into one of the most known and systematic frame work of aesthetic experience dealt with the question of what art does to us, why and how. He had compared the pure creation with the powers of the universal self. His works are unique blend of theology and arts. Many studies have been done on the cognition or impact of art on viewer’s mind through scientific way but it is also important to find philosophical reasoning behind the process of art creation. Hence it is essential to understand both art and its impact on viewer through Bharatiya Aesthetical point of view. This paper tries to understand and analyze some of his concepts like ‘Prakaśa’ and ‘Vimarśa’, Sahridaya along with the process of creation of art mentioned by him. This paper aims to amalgamate his various thoughts on artist, viewer and creative processes. Qualitative analysis method has been used for this study. This study will be helpful to understand the role of Bharatiya Aesthetics to perceive art on spiritual level.