Guide to the Ajanta Paintings (Vol. 2. Devotional and Ornamental Paintings)

$28
Item Code: IDD909
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Author: Monika Zin
Language: English
Edition: 2003
ISBN: 8121510848
Pages: 76 (B & W Illus: 14, Line Drawings: 86)
Cover: Paperback
Other Details 8.5" X 11.0"
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Book Description
About the Book

The paintings in the Buddhist cave Buddhist cave monasteries of Ajanta (first century BC and fifth century AD) convey unique insights into the life and beliefs of ancient Indians. Alongside the paintings of Buddhist legends, which aimed to convey Buddhist ethics, the caves also contain scores of non-narrative paintings. Many of them depict the Buddha, the Bodhisatvas, or other Buddhist themes, but the greater portion is made up of images that are only loosely connected to the Buddhist faith: they show lucky charms and auspicious scenes from the worlds of the genies and gods, who showered humans with materials wealth rather than assisting on the path to Nirvana.

The book presents line drawing of many of these devotional and ornamental paintings, together with brief summaries of their interpretation. On the basis of literary reference, many of the scene and symbols are identified here for the first time.

About the Author

Dr. Monika Zin works in the Department of Indology and Iranian Studies at the University of Munich, Germany. She is a specialist in Buddhist art literature and has published numerous articles on Ajanta. Most of the illustrations in this book were drawn by the author

CONTENTS
  1. Cave I, Ceiling (ornamental paintings, genies)

  2. Cave I, rear transept, left rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  3. Cave I, rear transept, right rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  4. Cave I, vestibule, left rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  5. Cave I, vestibule, right rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  6. Cave II, veranda, left real wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  7. Cave II, veranda, right real wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape); ceiling (some ornamental motifs)

  8. Cave II, Pillars and Pilaster (genies, Buddha veneration)

  9. Cave II, rear transept, ceiling (ornamental paintings, genies)

  10. Cave II, left aisle, left sidewall (Buddha series); rear transept, right rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  11. Cave II, vestibule (Buddha series); shrine (Buddha series)

  12. Cave II, shrine, front walls (Avalokitesvara, Maitreya); ceiling (ornamental paintings, genies)

  13. Cave II, left side chapel (Manibhadra and Purnabhadra)

  14. Cave II, right side chap (Hariti and Kubera)

  15. Cave II, celilings in both side chapels dedicated to the Yaksas (ornamental painting)

  16. Cave II, front transept (two Bodhisatva kings flanking the Sibi story)

  17. Lower cave VI, rear transept, rear wall (scenes of Buddha veneration); vestibule, rear walls (Bodhisatva kings)

  18. Upper cave VI, veranda, left rear wall (Bodhisatva king, Avalokitesvara); vestibule of the left veranda chapel (sermon halls)

  19. Upper cave VI, vestibule, left side wall (worshiper); front transept, doorframe at the entrance to the right side chapel (genies)

  20. Cave IX ceiling (ornamental paintings (old paintings)); triforium (animal frieze (old paintings), scenes of Buddha veneration)

  21. Cave IX, walls and columns (Buddha images and series, Bodhisatva, stupa)

  22. Cave X, vault over the ambulatory (Buddha images); pillars (old ornaments, Buddha images, Bodhisatva)

  23. Cave XI, veranda, ceiling (ornamental paintings); left rear wall (Buddha images, genies)

  24. Cave XI, veranda, ceiling (Bodhisatva kings in a mountainous landscape)

  25. Cave XVI, aisle, left and right side walls (Buddha series, Buddha veneration); front transept, right side wall (Kubera)

  26. Cave XVII, veranda, entrance to the cave (seven Buddhas and Maiteya, amorous couples, ornamental paintings)

  27. Cave XVII, veranda, left front wall (Avalokitesvara); left side wall (Samsaracakra, genies)

  28. Cave XVII, veranda, left rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  29. Cave XVII, veranda, ceiling (ornamental paintings, genies)

  30. Cave XVII, veranda, right rear wall (Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape); a window niche (Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara)

  31. Cave XVII, ceiling (ornamental paintings, genies, scene)

  32. Cave XVII, pillars (geneis, symbols)

  33. Cave XVII, pilaster of the side walls (geneis, Buddha veneration, Bodhisatva king in a mountainous landscape)

  34. Cave XIX, ceiling of the ambulatory (ornamental paintings); vault (Buddhas, stupas); walls (Buddha series and scene)

  35. Cave XX, ceiling (ornamental paintings, genies, scenes)

  36. Cave XXI, front transept, ceiling (ornamental paintings)

  37. Cave XXII, shrine, right side wall (seven Buddhas and Maitreya); hall, right side wall (Yaskini among Buddhas)

  38. Cave XXVI, façade, caitya window (Buddha series); hall, column capitals (genies); left side wall (scene)

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