Jain Paintings in India

In ancient India, paintings were considered to be the pre-requisite of a civilised citizen. Ajanta and Bagh paintings in North India and Sittannavasal in South India during the Gupta period depict the inner meaning, spirit, general direction and atmosphere there, secular, courtly and sophisticated. Dating back to 7th century A.D. Jain paintings of Sittannavasal are fabulously created by expert artists.

Sittannavasal in Padukottai region of Tamil Nadu is the name of a long range of hills. Here Jain temple of Arhat (a cave temple) can be found where now, only a few paintings can be seen on the ceilings, beams and upper parts of the pillar. The ceiling depicts a padma vana, a magnificent lake. Swans, fish, buffaloes, elephants and lotuses are the highlights which is seen being gathered by the youth. Brilliance of colours, richness of expression, pulsation with life and happiness and delicacy of feelings in these Jain Paintings have given supremacy to this art form.

Sittannaval cave temple. (pic source: Wikipedia)

Jain paintings are also found in Shravana Belagola. Jain cloth paintings and Jain paintings on Tarpatra ( palm leaf) are very impressive. The tarpatras are found in Jain bhandars which are obtained in Mudbidri in Mysore and Patan in Gujrat. Paintings on Tarpatras are beautiful and artistic and form a class by themselves.