User:Mikhailcazi/Frescoes of Ajanta

Frescoes in Ajanta
The Ajanta Caves are situated near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. They are carved out of a large rocks. Inside many of the caves are Frescoes.

Frescoes are paintings which are done on wet plaster in which colours become fixed as the plaster dries. Ajanta Frescoes have a special importance of their own. They are found on the walls and cielings at Ajanta. The paintings reflect different phases of Indian Culture from Budddha's birth to his Mahaparinirvana in the 8th Century AD. Natural colours like white, green, brown, yellow, black, and a wonderful colour of blue is found.

The frescoes seem as fresh as ever. They depict themes of court life, feasting, processions, men and women at work, festivals, various natural scenes including animals, birds and flowers. The artists used shading to give a three-dimensional effect.

Similarly, at Bagh Caves, 150 km away to the north of Ajanta, beautiful frescoes have been found. Though the themes in these paintings are both secular and religous, they do depict some aspect of Buddhist life and rituals. One of the most famous paintings show a procession of elephants. Another depicts a dancer and women musicians, These have been influenced by Ajanta style of paintings. The most beautiful one is that of Avalokiteshvara Padmapani. Her jewels sparkle in light, like diamonds, even though it is paint !