How are you creative?
The post examines the essence of creativity through history, from ancient cave art to modern photography, emphasising its significance in reflecting human thought and devotion. It showcases iconic Indian architectural masterpieces, such as the Lion Capital and various temples, as symbols of historical creativity. The discussion extends to the evolution of photography as an accessible and transformative medium for artistic expression. The importance of refining creative skills across various disciplines has been highlighted, along with the joy of creation. Overall, it positions creativity as a fundamental aspect of human existence, transcending cultures and time.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article explores the essence of Creativity throughout history, tracing its significance from ancient cave art to modern photography.
- It highlights renowned Indian architectural masterpieces like the Lion Capital and temples, showcasing historical creativity.
- Creativity is intrinsic to humans and manifests through various forms, including art, literature, and architecture.
- The piece emphasizes the evolution and accessibility of photography as a vital creative medium in today’s society.
- It calls for honing creative skills across disciplines, noting the joy that creation brings to individuals.
Lion Capital
Watching the Lion Capital in the Sarnath Museum, Varanasi, is a thrilling experience. The creative marvel of the time is captivating and praiseworthy. The sculpture is a finely polished sandstone creation of yore. It is significant not only because it is the emblem of the Indian Government. More than that, the emblem created in 250 BCE remains almost intact with a mirror-like shine. The sculpture and the theme of the artefact are of high order.
Impressive figures of addorsed lions seated on an abacus, with a wheel below each lion, are quite imposing. Moving sculptures of a lion, horse, bull, and elephant in between are equally impressive. The whole structure is placed on an inverted lotus. It would have been an eye-catching and imposing structure, true to the stature of an emperor who was Ashok.
Creativity
(a) Creativity is intrinsic
Creativity is intrinsic to human beings. It is clear in the wall paintings of early cave-dwelling humans. The bold lines of their paintings show the clarity of their thoughts and steady strokes. They communicated about their daily lives through their paintings and drawings. (Britannica)
Bhimbetka caves
The caves of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh are an excellent example. It is akin to the more sophisticated and relatively not-so-old caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra. Now termed “Creativity”, it was the way of life of humans in the antediluvian.
Creative marvels in India
Gifted with creative marvels, India is a unique nation where magnum opus creations are present all over the country. Evidently, the creative skills of human beings started way before the dawn of civilisation. As human grew, their expressions became clearer, bolder and distinct.
Indus Valley Civilisation
Excavations at the Indus Valley Civilisation sites of Mohenjodaro and Harappa yielded toys and other objects. These include a bust of a bearded man and a dancing girl. They testify to the creativity of that era.
(b) Creativity evokes an urge
In simple terms, creativity evokes an urge to make different things. It reflects the mental bent, involvement, and application of mind and skill of its maker, known today as a creator. It is a skill that, with imagination and art, creates something extraordinary. This can be an object or an idea.
(c) Creativity: Manifestation of Thought
Creation is originally in the ambit of the Supreme Soul or Mother Nature. It is a natural element that the Almighty has gifted to human beings. Creation is a manifestation of human thought and devotion. Indian philosophers have amply mooted upon it and have given different explanations. They propounded that the physical world is a shadow or “Maya” created by “Brahm”.
Marvels of creativity
(a) Indian
Standing tall and facing the vagaries of time are old temples. These include the Brihdeshwar Shiva temple of Tanjavur and the Lingraj temple of Bhuvaneshwar (Odisha). They also include the Sun Temple of Konark. There are also temples at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, there are the ruins of Devgarh in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh. They tell the saga of missionary zeal, creative prowess, and dedication of those who constructed and created them. The listed ones, though, are not the end; the list is long. They are but a few of the supreme creative marvels.
(b) Foreign Creativity marvels
Intricately carved Churches and the lofty creations of the Greeks and Romans are still alive and exemplify their creative dexterity. It shows that creativity has always been at the pinnacle in human minds. Using tools makes creativity easy. Stone carving became easy with a chisel and hammer. Manual labour eased with the use of mechanised tools powered by electricity. Nonetheless, it is the human brain behind the tools and machines that gives shape to a creation.
Literary Creativities
Besides tangible creations like those listed above, creators have served humanity through their abstract creations using subtle means. Great poets like Kalidasa gave magnum opus literary works “Kumar Sambhav” and “Meghdoot”. He adroitly created stunning visuals using words. It is a high order of creative skill. In this genre, a creator uses minimal tools to produce brilliant creations with a few carefully woven words. It presents a free-flowing river of thoughts. Likewise, Western poets Wordsworth and Shakespeare have also created literary marvels.
Honing of Skill
Creativity is intrinsic in human beings, gifted by Mother Nature. The degree may vary. Practice makes a man perfect. Creative skill, thus, should be kept honing. It is a process of learning techniques to sharpen a skill to produce the best quality of art piece. It is in any field, from poetry to pottery, from sculpture to painting and modern-day photography.
Multi-Talented Genius
A multi-talented person can be a poet, writer, painter, singer and craftsperson. Multitasking is an advantage. Shallow people often boastfully flaunt their fake multitasking abilities. Yet, skilful multitalented people quietly work without gaudy flaunting. One such extraordinary genius was Michelangelo, who was an expert in many fields. Such luminaries knew the tact of using their multifarious talent in tandem to produce an everlasting and impactful creation.
Skills are important
Crafting, origami, spinning, weaving, et cetera were not part of the mainstream curriculum in India for a considerable period; rather, grouped as extracurricular. Thankfully, in a changed scenario, things are fast changing. Skills are important for specialised jobs. They are like tools essential for specialised jobs. In one of my writings, I have traced my journey of creativity. Readers can visit my earlier writing by clicking here.
Photography
(a) Skill and Technique evolved
Among others, photography is considered a powerful creative tool in modern times. Photography was invented in 1822 using the Camera Obscura. Since then, it has taken a quantum leap to earn a badge in the creative field. Initially, it was used to record objects and individuals on photographic plates. The camera used to be a cumbersome instrument. With time, it evolved, and now, the camera is seen everywhere. Cameras range from dedicated DSLRs to cell phones with built-in high-resolution cameras. This ubiquitous presence has made photography a convenient and easy hobby. It has become an essential gadget in some professions and a means of providing bread and butter to many.
(b) Technical Skill
The skill of photography is a bit technical. It is based on the principle of light bending by using lenses. An image on photographic film or a photo sensor and processed to produce an image. A creative image is the result of careful planning and meticulous manoeuvring of the amount of light and duration of exposure. Managing exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and quality of light are the decisive factors in creating a picture of desired effects. A fine picture is the outcome of pre- and post-shooting processing, which removes minor flaws. The post-shooting process of a celluloid film is ticklish and cumbersome. With technological advancements, the whole process has become hassle-free and easy.
(c) Digital Photography
The invention of digital photography and cameras has opened a new vista for photography lovers. Taking pictures is now easy and convenient. This is due to the incorporation of an advanced camera in a cell phone. Viewing them instantaneously adds to the joy. Now, even professional photographers use cell phones to capture pictures for their sheer convenience and ease of using them. Computer technology with cell phones and picture-taking tools has made it easy to take pictures. You can send them instantly in real-time to loved ones in far-off places, anywhere on the globe.
Joy of Picture-taking
Picture-taking is a joy. It helps view things critically from a different perspective. Creators use different genres of Photography to express their creative abilities. Some of the popular genres are landscape photography, macro photography, Nature Photography and Fashion Photography. The reportage is effective in creating impacts. It is rightly said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Picture taking has become very easy. The thought process merged with perception results in stunning photographs. Most photographers take candid pictures of whatever appeals to them. It may be a place, a flower bud, an insect, a running stream or a river.
Further Reads:
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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