The oldest examples of a fine Indian painting (1st century BC to 8th century AD) can be found in Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra. The spirit of the kindhearted Buddha was their encouragement. Jataka tales related to Buddhist mythology form the themes of these paintings. The world of Ajanta is described beautifully with sensitive characters from the various former lives of the Buddha. Tropical vegetation, insects, birds, animals, human and angelic forms, textiles, jewellery and architecture are shown in varied colours. The themes are presented on the walls as a continuous narrative story. The stream of shapes, as if encircling the world, frequently forms groups, which were held together with the tension of the inner relationship from person to person. A detailed language of gestures deepens the expression. When the ancient Buddhist missionaries went to foreign lands to spread the message of peace, the brush and the chisel accompanied them.
Ajanta became the origin of all Buddhist murals in Asian countries. We notice the impact of Ajanta on the paintings in Sirgirya Caves in Sri Lanka, Bamyan in Afghanistan, China, Korea and Horiyuji in Japan. In India, the mural tradition continued with less momentum in Chalukyan Badami Caves (6th century), Pallava Panamalai (7th century), and Chola Tanjore (12th century). The paintings of Ajanta depict various themes. There are those which depict the pomp and splendour of the royal courts and the romance of love and the joy of feasting, singing and dancing and the man-made world with luxurious products, buildings, textiles and jewellery. Some depict the world of nature – vegetation and flowers, animals and birds.
Many themes depicted are from the Buddha’s life and the jataka stories. All the scenes depicted are full of vitality. The figures are drawn with admirable skill. The intense human appeal gives the message of the unity of life depicted through the panorama of all forms of life. Every form receives the equal attention of the artists and the various worlds of painting combine to give a fuller picture of real life.
The medium through which this is done is the line. In the West what is achieved with color is achieved with line in India. The line used by the Ajanta artists is unique, sweeping over vast areas with firmness and rhythm. It can accomplish with equal skill the calm and serene Buddha and the restless eager crowds in a dance or a market-place. This style in ancient times spread to Central Asia and is evident in wall paintings and in paintings on wooden panels.
