Svasti

SR No.: 007006
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nalini Balbir
Publisher: K S Muddappa Smaraka Trust
Publication Year: 2010
Total Pages: 446
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 119

Further Observations on Western Indian Miniatures
Klaus BRUHN
Considering the limited number of Jainas through the ages, the amount of Jaina literature is unusual; it defies all attempts at exhaustive investigation. Furthermore, the sheer number of manuscripts is enormous. Finally, many works have given rise to illuminated manuscripts, some to a considerable number of such manuscripts. There is much repetition in the field of book illustration, but repetition is combined with variation, and variation has many faces. Minute differences between miniatures deserve as much attention as obvious differences. Roughly speaking, most miniatures have been identified by now, but at this stage there is a particular need for accurate analysis as the second step after identification. It is hoped that the present study will give an idea of this situation. The material on which the present paper is based is identical with the material of our Uttarādhyayana study (2005).' However, the labels on the relevant slides (always "Utt...") are confusing. The situation is described below: The thirteen slides from Muni Punyavijaya's collection (BRUHN 2005: 38-39) are, according to the labels, all Uttarādhyayana slides. In the case of the six slides published in BRUHN 2005 this is correct for figs. 3-6 (Bild 3-6), but figs. 1-2 (Bild 12) may be Uttarādhyayana Sūtra or Kalpasūtra ("general motifs"). The seven slides of the present article have Plate 7 definitely from Kalpasūtra, Plate 6 definitely from Uttarādhyayana Sūtra, Plates 1-2 and 3-4 from Uttarādhyayana Sūtra or from Kalpasūtra ("general motifs"). Plate 5 is also uncertain. - Refer for Utt in general to BRUHN 2005: 38-39. The thirteen miniatures with their warm colour and careful delineation of motifs are among the best specimens of 15th century painting. The sharp (and crude) contrast between different colours (cf. MORGENROTH/HICKMANN 1979) is absent. All specialists know that 15th century paintings are of uneven quality.
→ Previously published in: VANAMĀLĀ Festschrift A.J. Gail - serta adalberto joanni gail LXV. diem
natalem celebranti ab amicis collegis discipulis dedicata. Eds. Gerd J.R. Mevissen & Klaus Bruhn.
Berlin: Weidler Buchverlag, 2006, pp. 28-36. A small collection of 13 slides is the basis of BRUHN 2005 (6 slides) and of the present paper (7 slides: Plates 1-7). See BRUHN 2005: 47, Appendix. The slides belong to the collection Mevissen (BRUHN 2005: 37, fn.1).