The Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are universally regarded as masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. The paintings in the Ajanta caves predominantly narrate the Jataka tales, which are Buddhist legends describing the previous births of the Buddha. These fables embed ancient morals and cultural lores that are also found in the fables and legends of Hindu and Jain texts. Here are some of the characteristics of Ajanta paintings:
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Narrative: The paintings predominantly narrate the Jataka tales, which are Buddhist legends describing the previous births of the Buddha.
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Emotional expression: The paintings are particularly expressive and present emotions through gesture, pose, and form.
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Bright colors: The walls and pilasters are covered by overlapping figures, brought to life with bright and contrasting colors by the artists.
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Buddhist themes: The Ajanta caves are exclusively Buddhist, and the paintings predominantly narrate the Jataka tales.
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Morals and cultural lores: The Jataka tales embed ancient morals and cultural lores that are also found in the fables and legends of Hindu and Jain texts.
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Classical paintings: The Ajanta frescos are classical paintings and the work of confident artists, without cliches, rich and full.
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Adornments: The paintings depict figures adorned with pearls, amethyst, and other attributes of wealth and status.
Most of the Ajanta caves, and almost all the mural paintings, date from nearly 600 years later, during a second phase of construction.
