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64 Ancient Hindu Arts – Occupation

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Ancient Indian arts were divided into 64 categories. Not all of them, by modern standard can be strictly called arts. Majority of them were occupation undertaken by various section of society. Here is a look at the 64 ancient Hindu arts –

  1. Arithmetic – Ganana
  2. History – Ithihasa
  3. Eymology – Nirukta
  4. Metros (Poetic) – Chanda
  5. Grammar – Vyakarana
  6. Writing – Grantharachana
  7. Six philosophical system (Samkhya, Yoga, Vaiseshika, Oryaya, Purvamimasa and Vedanta – Shad Darshana
  8. Religious lor and law codes – Dharma Shastra
  9. Lexicon – Nighantu
  10. Phonetics – Shiksha
  11. Astronomy and Astrology – Jyotisha
  12. Economics – Arthavidya
  13. Story telling – Akhyatam
  14. Aphorisms of sexology (art of love making) – Kamasutra
  15. Compartive study of languages – Desha Bhasa Vijnanam
  16. Art of composing poetry (kavana) – Prahelika
  17. Pedagogy or prediction from omens and portents – Vaivahikinam Vidyaganam
  18. Science of prediction from omens and portents – Shakuna Vidya
  19. Palmistry – Samudrikam
  20. Study of folk lore – Apadanani
  21. Mathematics applied to astronomy – Graha Ganita
  22. Athletics – Vyayama
  23. Military Science – Vaijayika
  24. Town planning – Nagara Nivesha
  25. Metallurgy – Dhatuvada
  26. Wax modeling and casting – Mahuchistarkritam
  27. Painting – Alekhyanam
  28. Stone Carving – Vritva Kriya
  29. Metal Craft – Vartana
  30. Dancing – Nartana
  31. Instrumental Music – Vadya
  32. Art of cooking – Asuadya Vidhana
  33. Horticulture – Vriksha Prasavadi Kriti
  34. Medical Education – Ayurveda
  35. Code of conduct – Smriti
  36. Shrutis which are four in number – Vedas
  37. Scriptures – Shastras
  38. Phonetics – Shiksha Shastras
  39. Musicology – Gandharva
  40. Gemology – Ratna Pariksha
  41. Handwriting – Lipi Jnana
  42. Archery – Astra Vidya
  43. Sacred Science – Agama Shastra
  44. Zoology – Jantubhedam
  45. Magic – Indra Jala
  46. Tailoring – Sucika Kala
  47. Dairy farming – Pashu Palana Vidhi
  48. Dancing – Abhinaya Shastra
  49. Building construction – Vastu Shastra
  50. Expertise in curing – Mani Mantra Aushadhi Siddhi
  51. Pottery – Kutala
  52. Leathercraft – Charma Karma
  53. Wearing and spinning – Tantu Vidya
  54. Messenger-ship – Dutika Vidya
  55. Horology – Prashna Tantra
  56. Trade Commerce – Vyaparam
  57. Hunting – Akheta
  58. Horse Riding – Turagarohanam
  59. Estrangement – Mitra Bheda
  60. Agriculture – Bhupala Vidhi
  61. Midas touch/ Alchemy – Rasagandhavada
  62. Wind instrument operation – Arada Jnana
  63. Study of Dreams and interpretation – Swapna Shastra
  64. Stoppage of wind, water and fire – Vayu, Jala, Agni, Stambhana
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