Ajanta Painting
Folk Painting
History
The Ajanta murals, located in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district, are among India’s earliest and most iconic cave paintings. Created in two main phases—the Satavahana period (2nd–1st century BCE) and the Vakataka period (late 5th century CE)—they primarily depict Jataka stories of the Buddha’s previous lives. The murals were rediscovered in 1819 by British officer John Smith. They were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and remain a major cultural attraction today.
Raw Materials and Tools
Ajanta artists used mineral pigments derived from local volcanic rock, including yellow ochre, red, black, white, and green. Lapis lazuli, occasionally used, may have been imported. Paint was applied over a mud and lime plaster base. Organic matter like paddy husk and vegetable fibers was mixed into the plaster. Tools included brushes for detail work, likely handmade from natural materials, and trowels for smoothing the surface to achieve a polished finish.
Process
The painting process began with chiselling basalt cave walls to help the mud plaster adhere. This plaster, mixed with sand, clay, and organic fibres, was applied in layers. A final lime coat created a smooth surface. Artists then sketched outlines in red ochre and soot. Pigments mixed with animal glue were applied after the surface dried. The technique is believed to be fresco secco rather than true fresco, as paint wasn’t applied on wet plaster.
Design and Color
Wall paintings depict Buddhist iconography, while ceiling paintings show birds, animals, and geometric designs. Women appear in traditional roles, often in tribhanga posture; men are saintly or ascetic. The murals use a broad palette—red, yellow, black, white, green, and occasionally blue. Bold outlines, detailed shading, and stylized eyes and gestures contributed to a visual style that influenced art across Central and East Asia.
Product Range
Though not commercial products, the murals served educational and devotional purposes. They illustrated stories from the Jatakas, Avadānas, and Buddha’s life, helping monks teach Buddhist philosophy. These visuals reinforced concepts like impermanence and compassion. After rediscovery, many replicas were created—first by British artists like Major Robert Gill and later by Indian students of Sir JJ School of Art. These reproductions, now housed in museums, helped preserve and globally popularize Ajanta’s artistic legacy.