PAINTINGS
AJANTA
CAVE PAINTINGS
the many-splendoured delights of Ajanta compiled by Subramanian Swaminathan
e-mail: sswami99@gmail.com
September 2007
Ceiling Paintings
For reasons unknown, the Ajanta artist
did not paint religious themes on the ceilings. But expert workmanship
is evident. These drawings have taken the texture of a carpet, brilliantly
woven, captivating the eyes and filling the senses.
One of the themes is the huge concentric
circle enclosed in a square, with number of flowery bands within it.
Cave 2
Hariti shrine, Cave 2
Main hall, Cave 17
Another equally cherished theme consists
of a number of rectangular panels filled with decorative motifs framed
by smaller squares or rectangles with representations of fruit and floral
forms.
Animals & Birds
Cave 1
Reclining Bulls, Cave 17
In Lighter Vein
Cave 2
Cave 1
The most intriguing and least
expected in a religious shrine are the scenes depicting a king
in his harem
and friends enjoying each other's
company with wine!
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