The purpose of this lesson is to expose students to the art of India by viewing paintings and sculptures which depict Hindu gods and goddesses.  Students will reflect their knowledge by creating an original piece of art representing one of these gods and using batik, a process native to India.  This project will allow students to better understand and appreciate the art of another culture.

Key Academic Concepts that this lesson addresses:

• The key tenets of Hinduism include: dharma, karma, reincarnation, and the great literature of Hinduism.

• The arts and architecture of India reflect the rich culture and history of the country.

• Standard 10: Interdisciplinary Connections.

• Appendix A: Arts in World and United States History

Lesson Title: Hindu Gods Batik

Course: Intermediate Art

Grade Level: 10-12

Objectives:  As a result of instruction, students will be able to:

* Identify the major Hindu gods by their distinguishing features.
* Describe the relationship between the major Hindu gods.
* Analyze the symbols depicted with Hindu gods and determine their meanings.
* Create a batik of a Hindu god using the tjanting and brushes with at least four colors.
* Research and summarize the stories about the god or goddess in their batik. 

Materials:   stretcher bars                         100% cotton white fabric
                     staple gun and staples             pencils
                     batik wax                               paintbrushes
                     tjanting needles                      double boiler or skillet
                     dyes                                      containers for dyes
                     soda ash                                newsprint
                     irons

Instructional Resources:

* Web Pictures of gods and goddesses
* The Art and Architecture Ancient India Creative Workbook page 5, 28, 29
* Educations about Asia Volume 2, Number 2- Religious Ideas and Arts: Middle School Lessons, 
   Lesson Two: Buddhist art from China.
* Exploring Global Art: Unit VI- India- student notes on India, Hinduism and Hindu gods: Brahma,
   Shiva, Vishnu and Ganesh.
* Religion on File: Hinduism 2.10 Three Sacred Symbols and Hinduism 2.12 Hindu Gods: Vishnu 
   and his attributes & Brahma and his attributes.
* Indian Religions, Hinduism. The Hindu Trinity.
* Arts & Activities, Dec 1995, Batik on a Budget p. 18-19 & Javanese Batik p. 25-28.
* Hands-on Culture of Southeast Asia: Batik p. 41-45.
* Web site on How to Batik

Vocabulary:    batik- process of creating images by applying wax to fabric in order to 
                                   protect areas from dye
                         tjanting- tool used to create thin lines of wax on fabric
                         lotus- holy flower that is pictured with many of the gods and goddesses
                         vedas- ancient scriptures
                         avatars- incarnations
                         mount- animal on which a god or goddess travels
                         sadhu- an old man who takes a pilgrimage and lives in solitude
                         prasad- offerings that have been blessed by the gods and goddesses

Motivation: 

* Students will work in pairs and each pair will be given one of the ten posters.  The pairs will write 
   out what they think the stories and meanings are behind their poster without researching the objects 
   and animals on the poster.
* Students will share their poster with the class and tell them what their hypotheses are about the 
   symbols.
* Students will read the handouts from The Art and Architecture Ancient India Creative Workbook,
   Unit VI- India, Religions on File, and Indian Religions .
* Students will get back into pairs and interpret a different Hindu poster.  The pairs will write out what 
   they have learned from the handouts about the god and/or goddess in the picture.
* Students will share their poster and what they learned with the class.
* The class will discuss how their hypotheses differed from what they have learned about the symbols.
* Students will choose a god or goddess for their batik and further research him or her, summarizing 
   their research in a one page paper to be displayed next to the batik.

Procedure: 

* Stretch the fabric on the frame with a staple gun.
* Lightly sketch image on the fabric with a pencil.
* Melt the wax and apply it using the tjanting needle and brushes to all the lines and areas which will 
   remain white. (Think of the wax application step as a process of retaining color rather than adding 
   color.)
* Make sure that the wax has pentrated the fabric by checking the back.  If there is a break in the line, the 
   dye will bleed into the surrounding areas.  Reapply where the wax did not penetrate.
* Brush the lightest color onto the areas you want that color.
* After the dye is dry, cover the areas you want to stay that color with wax.
* Apply the next lightest color and when dry, cover that with wax.
* Repeat the last step until you have reached your darkest color.
* Remove the batik from the stretchers and lye flat on the counter top.  Place newsprint over and 
   under it and iron the paper once.  The paper will soak up the melting wax.  Throw the paper away 
   and apply new paper.  Repeat until no more wax comes onto the paper.

Student Evaluation:  To what extent did students:

* Successfully identify the Hindu gods and goddesses on a quiz (and their relationships to one 
   another.)
* Explain in writing the stories and meaning behind some of the symbols that accompany the major 
   gods and goddesses.
* Show mastery of the batik materials and techniques by using both the tjanting and brushes to apply
   wax and at least four colors from lightest to darkest.
* Compile and present research in the form of a one page summary to be displayed beside the 
   finished batik.
* Reflect on their work through written self-evaluation.

Overall Evaluation: