The Eye In Art

From the Jacket: "In eyes lies love, in eyes rest all manners, in eyes are letters of refinement.. In eyes reside all passions and attributes, in eyes abide the secrets of good and evil." Thus of all sensory functions, vision is the most important. It helps in the representation of the world in three dimensional solidity.

Rajendra Bajpai's "The Eye in Art" is a pioneering research in a totally neglected but very important field. There are twelve chapters in the volume covering a wide range of survey. Though the main emphasis is on eyes noticed in the Ajanta, Rajasthani and Pahari paintings evaluating the efforts made by the classical and post classical painters of India, the author gives a detailed survey on the general approach of his subject by covering a study of eyes both in the Western and Eastern traditions.

Bajpai has also taken notice of the literary background of the Indian artistic traditions. The stamp of acute insight and literary exposition is evident everywhere in this volume. This valuable study on the eye in art will delight scholars and laymen alike.

Reviews:

"Dr. Bajpai has painstakingly investigated into and collected valuable material relating the "Eye in Art" and deserves applause for his efforts
Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan.

It is not surprising that most artists take greater pains painting eyes than any other part of the body. This is more so in India than elsewhere. See the slanting, languorous eyes of paintings in Ajanta, Kishangarhand the Pahari schools. Long before Picasso was giving women eyes outside their faces, Jain manuscripts down to Jaimini Roy had done so with telling effect.

To the best of my knowledge the only art book devoted entirely to depicting the beauty of eyes is Dr. Bajpai's recently published The Eye in Art with special reference to Ajanta, Rajput and Pahari Paintings (Publication Division). It's a pleasant compilation to browse through. Besides many glorious illustrations it has apt quotations on eyes from Sanskrit poets down to Shakespeare.
Khushwant Singh

About the Author:

A first class M.A., Ph.D., with a diploma in German, the author has taught Art History and Aesthetics (Oriental & Occidental) in the Post Graduate classes over the years and has been sponsored by foreign governments for research in painting. As the Indian delegate, Dr. Bajpai represented India in the International Art Experts Conference in Berlin in 1980 and participated in the study tour programme for various Museums and Art Galleries in Germany.

Besides delivering lectures on Indology in universities abroad, the author has also been giving Radio Talks and TV Interviews on cultural subjects from time to time, in addition to the publication of his articles in the leading papers and magazines, both in India and abroad. Earlier, the Ministry of Information & broadcasting produced a Feature Film, "AANKHEY", based on his research work, for telecasting on Doordarshan (TV).

The very first publication of Bajpai on Japanese Painting won him a Govt. Award in 1971. Encouraged by the state recognition, he made further contributions, all recommended for studies in the University classes in Fine Arts and Philosophy:

Dr. Bajpai is presently a class I Officer in LIC, Bombay, Serving as the Art Director and also a Vtg. Professor at Sir JJ School Or Art, Bombay University, and SNDT University.