THE TIMELESS ART OF AJANTA

• Pages: xvi + 340
• Format: Hardcover (HB)
• ISBN: 9788173054303
• Edition: 1st
• Publisher: ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL
• Size: 22 cm x 28 cm
• Product Year: 2013

Ajanta caves are well known for their creativeness and artistic excellence. Nowhere else at one place is shown such a grand display of the three disciplines?architecture, sculpture and painting?in a highly mature and technically perfect state. In the realm of painting, they are unique. A single painting of Ajanta can communicate better than a thousand words. The paintings are a simple, visual representation of Buddhist ideals and sentiments. It has enthralled every art critic and set him to a desperate search for words in which to convey his impressions. The period from 2nd century bc to the 4th century ad saw vigorous spread of influence of Buddhist faith in India. The arts of painting and sculpture were inspired and governed by common ideals of religion and culture of that time. The rich repertoire of the carved figures on railings, pillars, panels and cross-bars listed in texts are almost the same as on sculptures and cave temples of that time. God is ?perfection?, and whoever strives for perfection is striving for something divine. This has been displayed in Ajanta paintings. Ajanta came in with a new mode of art forms when new religious systems had grown up. Artists amalgamated all styles they had inherited from generations and produced paintings that were in the ?exclusive Ajanta style?. The guilds had centuries of experience behind them. As hereditary skills die hard in Indian artisan families, there is the undercurrent of continuity in the basic style of Ajanta art though some variations are perceived in details. These have been illustrated in the about 1300 odd line drawings presented in the book. The volume has been divided into eight chapters on architecture, sculpture, paintings, decorative paintings on ceilings, symbols and motifs and an analytical treatment of motifs. There is also a full treatment of the numerous Jataka tales, visuals of which are present in the paintings. This book is an attempt to put into one volume, as much as possible, everything about the art of Ajanta. This has been achieved by studies in libraries, a stay at the location itself and many discussions with experts on the subject.