Jaina Art

The present text contributes to our knowledge and understanding of the Jaina paintings and minor arts which are of great interest as being the oldest known Indian paintings on paper. In order to make them fully comprehensible the author first describes and illustrates the actual paintings by a short account to Jainism and of the legends of Mahavira and Kalakacarya, which are main subject of the pictures. Beginning with a short account of Jainism, the author depicts the life of Mahavira and other Tirthankaras based on Kalpa Sutra in the first three chapters. Chapter four describes the faithful dealings of the holy monk Kallika with the wicked king Gardabhilla. Chapter five gives in detail the explanation of various terms used in the painting. Chapter six studies the whole cosmos according to the Jainas. The author is very clear in his mind about the artist's creation of aesthetic excellence, described in chapter seven. Chapters eight and nine account for the reproduction given in figures which have been taken from the pages of the Jaina MSS. Abbreviated reference is made in the descriptions facing the plates. Author's cogent and remarkably well-documented writings reveal the masterly pen recording the thought of a great master born to interpret Indian art for all time.