ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the role of the arts for cosmopolitanism used by two kindred spirits of the early 20th century; namely Sri Aurobindo and Ananda Coomaraswamy. Ananda Coomaraswamy and Sri Aurobindo manifest close parallels and some differences with regard to culture and nationalism. The discovery of the meaning of the Indian nation against the larger world civilizations is therefore an essential requisite for art criticism of both Coomaraswamy and Sri Aurobindo. The established thinking in critical circles is to look at art critics like Sri Aurobindo and Ananda Coomaraswamy as traditionalists, standing for a 'spiritual view of art and life'. Art is viewed in deeply psychological terms. For instance, Agni Purana draws a connection between dream and art. The practice of visualization, as referred by Shankaracharya, is seen identical in worship and art. The artist in order to be effective must realize four required moods of friendliness, compassion, sympathy, and impartiality.
