Shilpa Shastra Course

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July 2026 Batches Closed

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New batches to be announced soon!

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July 2026 Batches Closed ~ New batches to be announced soon! ~

ABOUT THE COURSE

The Shilpashastra Course is a two-year learning journey designed to help students deepen their understanding of traditional arts and the principles of Shilpa Shastra under the guidance of a leading expert in Vedic iconography. The course begins with the basics—introducing fundamental shapes and motifs—and gradually progresses to more advanced forms, enabling students to create detailed and intricate depictions of gods and goddesses based on classical Shilpa Shastra texts.

Each module includes multiple lessons that support steady progress. Students are encouraged to practice regularly in their free time between classes and to seek feedback from Drdha Sir via WhatsApp. This ongoing feedback plays an important role in helping students refine their skills, gain valuable insights, and continuously improve their work.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is divided into content based sections, each with lessons to practice during and after class. Your teacher will also introduce occasional projects based on the lessons learned.

This opening module of this course introduces the student to the foundational practices of Śilpa Śāstra in a clear and structured manner. It begins with simple, traditional exercises designed to develop control of the hand and familiarity with line, form, and proportion. Using pencil on paper, students learn to draw basic designs while cultivating steadiness and attention to detail.
As their skill grows, they are gradually guided toward more intricate geometric motifs and traditional patterns, reflecting the principles of balance and symmetry central to this art. This progression leads to the creation of complete compositions, where students apply their learning in finished works rendered in ink or color, combining discipline with creativity.
This module introduces students to the study of animals and vāhanas as described in the traditions of Śilpa Śāstra. Students will learn the symbolic meanings associated with various animals, especially those depicted as vāhanas—the sacred mounts of Gods and Goddesses—as well as their role as decorative elements in classical art.
Alongside this understanding, students will be guided in the methods of drawing these forms with attention to proportion, posture, and characteristic features. Through practice, they will develop the ability to represent these animals with clarity and grace, in accordance with traditional principles.
This module introduces the student to the study of āyudhas—the sacred weapons and symbolic attributes held by various deities, as described in the traditions of Śilpa Śāstra. These forms carry deep meaning, each representing specific powers, qualities, and functions.
Students will learn the canonical proportions and characteristics prescribed for these elements, along with an understanding of their symbolism and significance.
This module introduces the student to the study bodily adornment as described in Śilpa Śāstra. From the headdress to the anklets, each ornament holds aesthetic, symbolic, and structural importance in the depiction of divine and classical forms. Students will learn about the various types of ornaments, their placement on the body, and their traditional uses.
Through guided practice, they will develop the skill to render these adornments with proper proportion, detail, and harmony, in keeping with classical principles.
This module introduces the student to the study of hasta mudrās, the expressive hand gestures that serve as an important means of visual communication in Indian art. These gestures convey specific meanings, emotions, and states of being in the depiction of divine and classical figures.
Students will learn the various mudrās found in traditional practice, along with their meanings and uses.
This final module introduces the student to tālamāna, the system of iconometric proportions that forms one of the most essential and intricate aspects of Śilpa Śāstra. These precise principles of measurement are used in the creation of the many forms of Gods and Goddesses in traditional art.
Students will learn the measurement scales and units prescribed in tālamāna, and how these are applied to construct balanced and accurate forms. Drawing upon the knowledge gained in earlier modules, they will practice calculating and rendering complete figures of deities from the ground up.
This includes working with different mediums and finishes, guided by descriptions from vedic sources such as dhyāna ślokas, to create compositions that align with shastric standards.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Drdha Vrata Gorrick studied the classical arts for over a decade in South India under renowned iconography masters. He has travelled the world exhibiting his work, and now conducts workshops and courses with the aim to promote the ancient artform.

Learn more about Drdha here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Shilpashastra Course is one 2 year learning journey that enables the student to deepen their knowledge in Shilpa shastra. We begin all the way at the basics - learning about fundamentals of this artform and then move up to more complex structures that fully equip students to draw intricate structures of gods and goddesses using Shilpashastra over the entire course duration.
Each module covers multiple lessons that help the student learn. After each class we request the students to practice a little in their free time for a little while before the next class and especially to seek feedback from Drdha sir on whatsapp to ensure that they’re leaning is moving forward with each drawing. Feedback enables Drdha sir to give insightful suggestions on the students progress and help them improve their work.
For more information - check course information followed by course structure.
No. To join and learn Shilpa shastra no prior experience of art or no prior knowledge regarding the subject is required. It’s a course that’s open to every above the age of 13*. The course is structured in such a way that even a beginner can follow and maintain the pace of learning this new artform.
The curriculum involves learning fundamentals of Shilpashastra first followed by more complex and intricate work as the modules progress one after the other. The pace at which the course proceeds is completely on the students within the batch.
*The guardian of the student should be in touch with the course progress and present for any communication with the student. We reserve the right to publish any photographs of children working in class and/or artwork created by them - If you do not wish for your child to be photographed, please inform us before the commencement of your child’s first class.
Each term has 12x 1 hour-long class, once a week as per the schedule. Weekly if you could devote a minimum of 1 hour on class and another 1-2 hours on homework provided after the class that’ll really help you stay on track with the course and keep a progressive learning journey.
If you’re asking about the total runtime of the course. Please find this information below:
The course runs over a minimum of two years, with four terms per year.
- Winter Term: 1st January - 31st March
- Spring Term: 1st April - 30th June
- Summer Term: 1st July - 30th September
- Autumn/Fall Term: 1st October - 31st December
The Shilpa Shastra course is structured over 2 years, comprising 8 terms, with each term including 12 classes. The fee is $340 / ₹29,000 per term. For students residing in India and paying in INR, an 18% GST is applicable and already included in the stated course price.
There is no need to re-enroll at the start of each term—students simply need to complete the next term’s payment on time. To maintain continuity in learning, there are no fixed breaks between terms.
Fee Structure:
1. New Student – Within India: ₹33,450
  - ₹29,000 (term fee)
  - ₹1,840 (one-time registration fee)
  - ₹2,610 (GST)
2. New Student – International: $360
  - $340 (term fee)
  - $20 (one-time registration fee)
You will need:
a) an internet connection
b) a computer, tablet or phone with working audio and video capabilities
c) The entire material list can be found on this link. Please refer to the list based on your residing location. The material list are different based on whether you’re located in India or abroad.
To register for the Shilpa Shastra 2-year course, please fill out the Google Form to be added to the waitlist. Once enrollments open, you will receive a notification on your registered email ID.
Here’s the link to apply:
https://divyakala.com/shilpa-shastra-course/#APPLYSSCC
The payment for the course can be made through squarespace or through the razorpay link that will be sent in the enrollment email.
All live online sessions are recorded and uploaded to the learning platform under the relevant module, along with the class title. These recordings are accessible to all students and serve as a reference in case a class is missed.
Students are requested to inform the teacher in advance if they are unable to attend a session, preferably in the respective batch WhatsApp group. It is the student’s responsibility to review the recordings, stay up to date with the coursework, and submit assignments on time in order to receive feedback from Drdha Sir.
If a class is missed by the instructor due to unforeseen circumstances, it will be rescheduled as a makeup session. The new date will be determined through a poll in the class group, ensuring it accommodates the maximum number of students.
The course schedule considers major Indian festivals and key U.S. holidays. If a class falls on one of these dates, it may be rescheduled to another day of the week based on student requests and availability.
Each term also includes one designated holiday week. Overall, each term is structured to include a total of 12 classes.

FEE STRUCTURE

A Shilpa Shastra student pays on a term (quarterly) basis—once every three months.

The fee for each term is ₹31,600* or $340, which includes access to weekly live classes, session recordings, practice materials, and personalized corrections from Drdha Sir on a regular basis (*inclusive of GST).

An additional one-time registration fee of ₹1840 and $20 is applicable for students enrolling for the first time.

PRICE BREAKUP

Total = ₹33,450
- ₹29,000 (term fee)
- ₹1,840 (one-time registration fee)
- ₹2,610 (9% GST)
Total = $360
- $340 (term fee)
- $20 (one-time registration fee)

Student Testimonials

“The past six months have been an incredible journey. Learning Shilpashastra has been a long-cherished dream of mine, but my hectic work schedule never allowed me to take classes earlier. I have been traveling every four weeks to different parts of the world, yet I never missed a single class—no matter the time zone. Even after undergoing major surgery, I continued learning without giving up. Although my right hand is weak and shaky, I stayed committed to the practice. Drdha sir has been incredibly patient and supportive throughout this journey. I never imagined I would come this far. I am deeply grateful to Drdha sir for his guidance and blessings.”

~Jhansi Adi Uppalapu

“I studied Fine Art at University and was also very interested in learning traditional Vedic Art. For years I was looking for a genuine teacher to learn from. I was very fortunate that I found Drdha Vrata and could learn from him. What I love about his classes is that I can learn this amazing science even from the comfort of my own home and from across the world! I know that he spent many years painstakingly perfecting his art in India with his teacher, and now he has made this very secret knowledge accessible to anyone who wants to learn. I am now able to recognize how traditional art has shaped artworks and architecture around me. I find the process very intuitive and natural and I very much look forward to seeing how our decorations can glorify those personalities who we will be learning to draw in future as our course progresses. Thank you Drdha Vrata!”

~ Ganga-Mata Goswamini

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