The Art Of Ajanta

Pauranic Prana-aesthetics, a finer shade different from that of vitalistic aesthetics )the earlier having breathing-rhythm of Ksaya-Vrddhi --diminuation and augmentation--other than the latter`s emphasis only on the rhythm of augmentation), has been delineated in this study with examples from the world`s two of the best art-monuments: Ajanta (India), now not remaining unknown even to the most casual connoisseur, and Sopocani (Yugoslavia), the most significant and monumentally beautiful work of Byzantine art. Tracing Prana-aesthetics as the aesthetics of inner-light coded in the creeper-motif by the artists of Ajanta, this work emphasises decoding of the creeper-motif by Byzantine artists culminating into the frescoes of Sopocani done in Hellenistic-Byzantine aesthetics beatifield by Hesycast meditation to which that of Buddhists was not unknown. Comparisons of various determinant aspects, aesthetics and artistic denominators, and constraints not allowing similar consummation are properly investigated to substantiate the thesis that Prana-aesthetics transfigures at Ajanta but transubstantiates at Sopocani. The significance of the anabolic aspects of this aesthetics is highlighted especially as a way out from the reductivistic tendencies of the present day visual-arts straining them upto the stage of catabolic dissolution.

This book about the cave paintings of Ajanta. In this book, it was the objective of the author to reveal out the pulse of those ancient paintings of Ajanta cave, in the light of his artistic knowledge and some hidden backgrounds he discovered from several resources. His artistic discussion is not only related to the grammatical aspects of art but also enlightens the soul of Buddhist spiritualism which is necessary to realize the inner-soul of those paintings. There are numerous books about Ajanta cave highlighted the several aspects of this controversial cave; however, not a single one discussed the insides of those paintings, including the ancient grammatical concepts and rules. This book is only a documentation of the ancient Asian art which followed some secret rules and grammars to compose those world-famous paintings.

New in paperback, this stunningly photographed book was hailed by The Times Higher Education Supplement as one of the most gorgeous and stimulating books of Indian art ever produced.

The exquisite murals and stone sculptures of India's Ajanta caves--located some 200 miles northeast of Bombay--rank among the world's most important cultural treasures. In his photographs, using long exposures that capture the natural ambient light, Benoy Behl recreates the experience of visiting the caves with an accuracy and detail never before thought possible. 250 illustrations, 225 in color. 2 maps.