Wall Paintings from Central India

Murals of Ajanta and Bagh, miniatures of the Moghuls and Rajputs and from the hilly tracts of Himachal, Illustrated manuscripts and the like are well-known and have been studied in detail by several scholars over and over again through the centuries. Likewise the Architectural edifices-1 stupas, rock-cut, architecture, palaces, mansions and havelis scattered throughout the length and breadth of our country, besides the plastic art have attracted the attention of many savants, foreign and Indian with many times written about them. In Central India, while the architectural monuments have been exhaustively studied, area was terra incognita for as well paintings were concerned. This book fills up the lacuna.

The book is divided into six chapters of which the first is of the nature of introduction. The second traces history- bundelas from their early origin through their growth, fragmentation of their territories and final suppression of their power by the British after the first war of Indian Independence in 1857 The chapter on paintings deals in detail, the towns, locations-temples, mahals, cenotaphs, etc-where the paintings are found, chronology, theme mostly epic and puarnic with a few secular ones like hunt etc. thrown in between-floral and faunal design. human figures and their models.etc. The next chapter brings on the technical aspects of the murals viz, fresco-buono and secco tempera and s'graffitto together with the various stages preparation of the ground, tracing of the drawings, preparation and application of colure, etc- involved in the artistic achievements. The penultimate chapter dealing with the style is the unique contribution. After Madanpur paintings the earliest of the series dating to the 12" century, there is a gap of about four centuries. The spurt starts with the bundelas in the middle of the 16th. century. Here other is the recognized clear impacts of the Moghals, Rajasthani (that of Amber and Jaipur and towards the end in the 19" century Maratha, beginning from the times of Peshwa Baji Rao I who was given a jagir for his help by the bundela ruler, in the Bundela idiom.

The book, the first of its kind bringing to light the existence of wall painting in this region with a local style, later influenced with line drawings and numerous photographs A glossary of technical terms and a short bibliography add value to the book.

R. A. AGARAWALA (b.1942) a most unassuming scholar, who has already won great appreciation at the hands of such. outstanding scholar in the field as the late Dr. VS. Agarwala and the late Shri Rai Krishnadasa, obtained his master's degree in Art as well As in Ancient Indian History and Culture. He was awarded Ph.D. degree for his work on 'Material Culture in Rajasthani and Himachal Paintings' in 1968. and the degree of D.Litt. on his thesis entitled 'Rajasthani Wall Paintings, from the University of Agra, in 1975. He has a rare privilege of receiving guidance on Art Appreciation from a very well-known Art Critic, Prof. V.R. Amberkar of Bombay, during his stay at Sir J.J. Institute of Art, Bombay for All India Sequential Courses in Art in 1970 and 71.

Dr AGRAWALA has held many positions in different National and International art oraganisations, and in various committees of a number of universities and Education Boards. He is a widely travelled man. Among his many many books mentioned the fundamental of Art, Marwar Murals, Evalution of Style in Indian Paintings and History Art and Architecture of Jaisalmer. His present scholarly work on wall paintings from Central India is perhaps unique in its field. Also, he has contributed several research papers in foreign journal of repute. He is presently on the staff of the Art Deptt. of Post-graduate studies and research in Meerut College.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages