The hallowed caves of Ajanta , Maharashtra India houses probably the worlds oldest and most celebrated specimens of frescos, widely known as Ajanta Murals. These murals intrigue art historians because they involve the complex procedure of fresco.
Painting murals has been a part of
Indian painting traditions since times immemorial. In fact, murals are considered to be the earliest remnants of Indian art. India has a rich tradition of paintings since ancient times and murals stand testimony to that very fact.
What are Murals?
Mural painting refers to paintings on walls, ceilings, or other large permanent surfaces. This style of painting can be traced back to prehistoric times such as the paintings on the Caves of Lascaux in southern France. The term Mural came into being with the Mexican muralista art movement.
These caves are adorned with sculptures of animals, guards and deities, and paintings of courtly life and Buddhist tales. Amidst these are several sculptures of Buddha
History of the Ajanta Murals
The digging of the Ajanta caves was initiated in the 4th century AD. Over the centuries, 29 such caves were dug by Buddhist monks, and used as cells and monasteries. These caves are adorned with sculptures of animals, guards and deities, and paintings of courtly life and Buddhist tales. Amidst these are several sculptures of Buddha
Themes of the Murals
The walls of the caves are covered with mural painting suggesting a fair state of preservation from decay. The scenes depicted are mostly didactic, devotional, and ornamental. The themes are from the Jataka stories (the stories of the Buddha's former existences as Boddhisattva), life of the Gautam Buddha, and those of his veneration.
Today the Ajanta caves are the greatest tourist attraction of the small Indian town of Aurangabad. However art specialists are concerned about the delicate condition of these fragile paintings. They believe that these paintings are so fragile that they are endangered by even human breath.