Essay name: Arts in the Puranas (study)
Author:
Meena Devadatta Jeste
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute Pune
This essay studies the Arts in the Puranas by reconstructing the theory of six major fine arts鈥擬usic, Dance, Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, and Literature鈥攆rom the Major and Minor Puranas. This thesis shows how ancient sages studied these arts within the context of cultural traditions of ancient India.
Chapter 5 - Painting in the Puranas
32 (of 45)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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- 273 - Vartana, the artists at Ajanta demonstrated the superiority of line drawing as given in the Visnudharmottara. The lines composing the figures painted at Ajanta are sure, rich in form and depth, and recall the lines in praise of the effective line drawing in the 'Viddhasalabhangika. 啶︵啶多啶い啷� 啶啶班啶� 啶啶班啶むた啶� 啷� [d峁浥泍ate p奴r峁嘺 m奴rti岣� | ] r fordu where by a few lines sketched, the maximum effect of form is produced."56 Thus the scientific paintings at Ajanta, as long as they survive will tell the story of the genius and the skill of artist in most glorious terms. CONVENTIONS IN THE PROPORTIONATE MEASUREMENT Pramana or proportionate measurement is also a very essential element in the art of painting. There are also certain conventions in the proportionate measurement which have to be observed. These are clearly presented by the Visnudharmottara. 57 in giving the details of appearance, the Visnudharmottara
describes the different types of men. There are five
standardized types of men called mahsa, Bhadra, Malavya,
hucaka and Sasaka. The other types are vividly described
in movements, habits and features, peculiar to their class,
and most of them belong to one of the five standardized types
of men. There respective measurements should be 108, 106,
104, 100 and 90 Angulas. According to Brhat Samhita, their
respective measures are 108, 105, 102, 99 and 96 Angulas.
