Ajanta Cave Paintings
Ajanta remains the only surviving example of Indian painting from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE.
The themes of these murals are almost entirely Buddhist, with the exception of decorative motifs found on the ceilings and pillars.
The paintings primarily illustrate scenes from the Jataka tales, which narrate the previous incarnations of Lord Buddha.
Notable Examples:
The earliest paintings at Ajanta are located in Caves IX and X, though only a fragment in Cave X survives today. This surviving piece, on the left wall, depicts a king accompanied by his attendants, standing before a tree adorned with flags. The scene shows the king visiting the sacred Bodhi tree, likely to fulfill a vow related to the prince seen beside him.
One of the most celebrated works at Ajanta is the painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani in Cave I, dating to the late 6th century CE. This iconic image features a richly adorned, slightly stooping figure, holding a lotus flower in his right hand. The painting is life-size and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of ancient Indian art.
In Cave XVII, which likely dates to around the 6th century CE, there is a painting that illustrates Buddha’s visit to the residence of Yashodhara in the city of Kapilavastu. In the scene, Yashodhara is shown stepping out with her son Rahula to greet the Buddha, referred to here as the Great King.
A graceful representation of feminine beauty is seen in the depiction of Maya Devi, the mother of the Buddha.
In addition to the Buddhist themes, the cave also contains a few Brahmanical figures of iconographic significance.
One such example is Indra, the Hindu god, shown flying through the clouds alongside celestial nymphs holding musical instruments.
A notable example of ceiling decoration is also found in Cave XVII, dating to the same period.
Among these intricate designs is a pink elephant, part of the decorative painting, which remains clearly visible in detail.
