Arts in India has a long history and tradition. The Indus Valley and Mohenjo- Dao Civilization, with its bounty in art pieces and architecture, bears a witness to it. Foreign invaders like Mughals, Afgans, British had also mingled their cultural traits in it; the culture of Indian dynasties also trickled down to the commoners, which the latter nicely incorporated with their specific traditional practices. Thus Arts in India is shaped by these diversified influences, yet a unity and communal trademark is distinguishable. The Indians have countless numbers of deities, folklores and mythology in their culture, and the artists employed these to provide them beautiful forms. The Indian artists and craftsmen have invested tremendous energy and vitality in creating the art treasure of India.

Performing arts comprises of an integral part of Arts in India. Each region had its exclusivity in developing unique styles and forms. They are mostly associated with religious rituals and social functions. The Chhau (pronounced Cho) dance is executed in parts of West Bengal. The remarkable feature of this dance drama is the artistic use of masks and costumes, supplemented by the right tempo of music. Yakshagana , roughly translated as `Celebration of the Celestials`, is a theater form which constitutes of song, dance and drama . It is extremely popular in Malenadu, Uttara and Dakshina Kannada districts of the Karnataka State. Puppet theatre too, embellished the Indian art form and it is widely practiced in regions of Rajasthan, West Bengal etc.

The styles and varieties of Indian paintings are as diverse as the nation itself. Various schools of painting like that of Rajput , Gwalior, Bengal, are unique genres with their individual features and glory. Apart from these a particular type, better known as ephemeral art has also gained popularity. Body painting, floral art, and Rangoli fall into a peculiar type of art, too, belong to this category and also finds a place of prominence in the arena of whole of Arts in India . Everyone is aware of the fact that Indians, for centuries, have used the human body as a medium of art. Henna , tattoos, body piercing, are prevalent and are complied here for a pictorial exhibit.

Temple Art is rich and exuberant. No one can stay aloof from the spell of wonder that the architectural wonders of various temples create on the tourists. Today, the artisans of contemporary period draw much of their inspiration from these monuments and statues. Almost all the statues in the state of Orissa demonstrate resemblance in structure and details of the Jagannath temple at Puri.

Islamic Art is a key component of Indian arts. Some of India`s most beautiful heritage is derived from the Muslims who invaded India over the centuries. Taj Mahal is most famous of them, it`s beautiful paintings, monuments, forts that were spread through the hook and nook of places like Delhi, Lucknow, reminisce the aura of Islamic regime. Arts in India is really a storehouse of sculptured art. Stone crafting is highly popular in India. Maurya, the Gandhara, the Gupta, the Chalukya, the Chola, the Vijayanagar, the Orissa, the Hoysala, the Mogul, the Indo-Muslim art of the Deccan are noteworthy. The rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora and of Udayagiri; the Chalukyan temple of Virupaksha, the Chola temple of the Nayakas at Madurai, the Indo-Aryan temples at Bhuvaneshwar, Puri and Konark, the Sun temple of Modhera, Gujarat and the Chandela temples of Khajuraho: these ageless edifices present an endless variety of exquisite stone carvings. Traditional motifs such as standing Deepalakshmis, courting apsaras ,lotus blossoms are all adoptive as ornamental table lamps, ash-trays, or stone flower vases. Arts in India is represented by its exuberance of cultural heritage and tradition as exemplified by its excess of artworks, monuments, forts and exquisite paintings.