Memoirs of 2009: Travelogues – 7 [Decoding the expressions of few of the amazing Ajanta paintings - 2 ]

There are few more amazing paintings in Ajanta which may not be as well known as Vajrapani or Padmapani paintings but they are equally beautiful and extraordinary. I detail some of those paintings here:

Paintings of Buddha in different poses: See these about 120 dhyanam poses of Gautam Buddha teaching his disciples how to meditate. We also see the aura behind Buddha’s head in the form of a halo. Even though the painting is not very clear and sharp, we can sense the calmness, composure and concentration on his face.

Royal Dancer (A Courtesan): Look at this royal dancer. Her gorgeous looks, sharp features, bold eyes, beautiful ornaments, and colorful dress compel anyone (a viewer like me or the people in front of whom she is performing) to give at least one look towards her and appreciate her beauty and dressing sense. All the more, even in such dressing she looks gorgeous and not obscene.

Meditating Buddha: See this large painting of Buddha surrounded by his disciples. Unfortunately, the image is not too sharp and clear due to lack of light inside the cave. But one thing to observe here: The size of the Buddha’s painting is much larger and grand as compared to his disciples (look at the lady sitting just in front of him) as if the artist wanted to ensure the grandness in the stature of Gautam Buddha.

Mother with her child: This beautiful painting of mother caressing her child depicts the universal mother – child relationship which is so true even today. The warmth, love, care which is seen on the mother’s face and the feeling of security and satisfaction which is seen on the child’s face is one of the most lovable scenes even today.

Miscellaneous Paintings:

Children playing merrily with elephants.

An emperor facing crowds or watching some entertainment happening in one the galleries of his palace while his wives are sitting just below his chair – One thing to observe: women were not given equal treatment even in that period in a dynasty which was following Buddha’s teachings and philosophy.

Huge and grand War Paintings

These are few of the paintings which intrigued me to think deeper about them. Most of the paintings are fragmented though. Even then, the paintings are highly appreciable for the mere art which existed in that period, the tales they were trying to depict, the beautiful and spiritual scenes that they show and the vivid colors that they have used and above all, because these are the paintings about humans, and their relationship with their God, Bhagwan Gautam Buddha.