Cave Painting

Cave Painting

Cave paintings of India date back to the prehistoric times. The finest examples of these paintings comprise of the murals of Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Sittanavasal, etc, which reflect an emphasis on naturalism. Ancient cave paintings of India serve as a window to our ancestors, who used to inhabit these caves. In the following lines, we have provided more information on the ancient Indian rock paintings.

Methods of Painting

Prehistoric people would have used natural objects to paint the walls of the caves. To

etch into the rock, they could have used sharp tools or a spear. The paint or color that they

probably used was from berries, clay, soot, or charcoal. The tools used to apply the paint could

have been made by attaching straw, leaves, moss, or hair to sticks. They might have used hollow bones or reeds to spray the color on, similar to an airbrush technique.

Bagh Caves

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 religious, 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.

Ellora Paintings

Ellora caves are nestled amidst the Chamadari Hills, lying approximately 18 miles to the northeast of Aurangabad city. Paintings can be found in five caves. However, all of them are today preserved only in the Kailasa temple. The rock paintings of Ellora were painted in two different series. The first series, which were done when the caves were carved, revolve around Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The second series, painted centuries later, illustrate procession of Shaiva holy men, Apsaras, etc.

Cave Painting

Cave paintings of India date back to the prehistoric times. The finest examples of these paintings comprise of the murals of Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Sittanavasal, etc, which reflect an emphasis on naturalism. Ancient cave paintings of India serve as a window to our ancestors, who used to inhabit these caves. In the following lines, we have provided more information on the ancient Indian rock paintings.

Methods of Painting

Prehistoric people would have used natural objects to paint the walls of the caves. To

etch into the rock, they could have used sharp tools or a spear. The paint or color that they

probably used was from berries, clay, soot, or charcoal. The tools used to apply the paint could

have been made by attaching straw, leaves, moss, or hair to sticks. They might have used hollow bones or reeds to spray the color on, similar to an airbrush technique.

Bagh Caves

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 religious, 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.

Ellora Paintings

Ellora caves are nestled amidst the Chamadari Hills, lying approximately 18 miles to the northeast of Aurangabad city. Paintings can be found in five caves. However, all of them are today preserved only in the Kailasa temple. The rock paintings of Ellora were painted in two different series. The first series, which were done when the caves were carved, revolve around Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The second series, painted centuries later, illustrate procession of Shaiva holy men, Apsaras, etc.