How are you creative?

---

The post explores the intrinsic nature of creativity, tracing its historical evolution from ancient cave paintings to modern photography. It highlights iconic Indian architectural works like the Lion Capital and ancient temples, illustrating human creativity’s enduring impact. The significance of creativity is discussed, alongside how it reflects human thoughts and devotion. The evolution of photography as a creative tool is examined, emphasising its accessibility and transformative nature in the modern world. Additionally, the importance of honing artistic skills is noted. The joy derived from creation in various forms is highlighted. This establishes creativity as a fundamental aspect of human existence across cultures.

Lion Capital

Standing before the Lion Capital in the Sarnath Museum, Varanasi, I was wandering over the creative marvel of the time. The structure is a finely polished sandstone creation of Yore. It is significant not only because it is the emblem of the Indian Government. The main reason for its significance is that it was created in 250 BCE. It remains almost intact with its mirror-like shining. The sculpture and the theme of the artefact are of high order.

Four addorsed lions are seated on an abacus, embellished with four wheels. Moving sculptures of a lion, horse, bull, and elephant in between are quite 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 obvious from the wall paintings of Aeon made by primitive cave-dwelling humans. The bold lines of their paintings show the clarity of their thoughts and steady strokes. They talked about their daily lives through their paintings and drawings.

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 antediluvian.

India is well-endowed with creative marvels scattered across the country. Evidently, the creative skill of human beings started way before the dawn of civilisation. As human grew, their expressions became clearer, bolder and distinct.

During the excavation of the Indus Valley Civilisation at Mohan-Jo-Daro and Harappa, toys and objects were found. 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 new. This can be an object or an idea.

(c) Manifestation of Thinking and Devotion

Creation is originally in the ambit of the Supreme Soul or Mother Nature. Creativity is an element of Nature, Human beings have thus been gifted with the power of creation. It is a manifestation of their thinking and devotion towards the Supreme Soul, whose personification is God. 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”.

Grand and Massive Creative Marvels

(a) Indian

Standing tall and facing the vagaries of time are old temples. These include the Brihdeshwar Shiv temple of Tanjavur and Lingraj temple of Bhuvaneshwar. 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 Creative 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. Since the human race learned to use tools, they have often been oblivious to this fact.

Literary Creations

Besides tangible creations like those listed above, creators have served humanity through their abstract creations using subtle means. Great poets like Kalidas have given magnum opus literary works “Kumar Sambhav” and “Meghdoot”. He adroitly created stunning visuals by using words. It is a high order of creative skill. In this genre, a creator uses the bare fewest tools. They produce brilliant creations with the help of a few carefully woven words. It presents a free-flowing river of thoughts. Western poets like Wordsworth and Shakespeare have also created literary marvels.

Skill Needs to be honed

As has been said earlier, creativity is intrinsic in human beings, gifted by Mother Nature. The degree varies. The skill of creation, though, is innate but needs to be honed. It is a process of learning techniques to sharpen a skill to produce the best quality of art piece. It is any field, from poetry to pottery, from sculpture to painting and modern-day photography.

Multi-Talented Genius

A person can be blessed with many talents. One can be a poet, writer, painter, singer and craftsperson.  Multitasking is considered an advantage, and people are often seen flaunting it. They are boastful about their mediocre multitasking abilities. Yet, skilful multitalented people are not frequent. 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 included in the mainstream curriculum in India for a considerable period. These activities were treated as extracurricular. The subjects were treated as extracurricular activities. Thankfully, in a changed scenario, they are being considered as skills and are important for specialised jobs. They are now sought-after jobs considered essential for high-paying jobs of a creative nature. 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. The image is formed on a photographic film or a photo sensor. It is then processed to produce an image. By manoeuvring the amount of light and duration of exposure, a creative image can be produced. Managing exposure, aperture, shutter speed and quality of light are the decisive factors in creating a picture of desired effects. Minor flaws are removed during the processing of the photograph. When films were used, this process happened to be yet another ticklish and cumbersome process.

(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:

1- The Evolution of Photography: From Film to Digital

2- The Importance Of Personal Ethics in Today’s Society

-END-