Consider the following historical places:
- Ajanta Caves
- Lepakshi Temple
- Sanchi Stupa
Which of the above places is/are also known for mural paintings?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- None
Explanation
Ajanta caves is correct
- Ajanta is a series of rock-cut caves in the Sahyadri ranges on the Waghora River near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. There are a total of 29 caves there of which 25 were used as Viharas or residential caves while 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer halls.
- The figures in these caves were made using the fresco painting technique and demonstrate considerable naturalism. The colours were obtained from local vegetation and minerals.
- FRESCO: A technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid or wet lime plaster.
- The outlines of the paintings were done in red colour and then the inside was painted. One of the striking features is the absence of blue colour in the paintings.
- Cave No. 16 is one of the most elegant specimens of cave architecture.
- The paintings are generally themed around Buddhism – the life of Buddha and Jataka stories. Of the 29 caves, five were developed during the Hinayana phase while the remaining 24 were developed during the Mahayana phase of Buddhism.
Lepakshi Temple is correct
- Located in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, mural paintings were executed on Veerabhadra temple walls at Lepakshi in 16th century. Made during the Vijayanagara period, they follow a religious theme based on Ramayana, Mahabharata and incarnations of Vishnu.
- The paintings show a complete absence of primary colours, especially blue. They depict a decline in painting in terms of quality. The forms, figures and details of their costumes are outlined with black colour.
Sanchi Stupa is incorrect
- Sanchi is known for sculptures, not murals.
- Built by Ashoka and expanded by the Sungas, featuring Jataka story carvings on its gateways and a symbolic triple umbrella representing the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
