Indian art has a long history and is a subject of great importance as expressing the soul of Indian civilisation. Its value is equal to that of Indian religion, philosophy and literature, which are all to be tapped as perennial sources for the understanding of Indian art-forms. Indian art is to be studied at two different levels, viz. the external form and the inner meaning. Up to now it has been usual to approach Indian art from the external point of view, i.e. the objective description of images, statuary, architectural buildings and monuments. That is quite correct and essential as the primary basis of approach. But there is also the other side of the medal, viz. the esoteric side which consists in the study of meaning and purpose of art of which the roots lie hidden in Indian religion and philosophy. By looking at these two with equal insight one may be able to recover the true and full significance of the Indian mind as expressed in the creations of art. <br /><br />