Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

SR No.: 012002
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 950
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 30 MB

Page 948

NEW DOCUMENTS OF JAINA PAINTINGS : 419
and bowing down to the Jaina monk. The monk is dressed in a red garment. Haribala is dark grey in complexion and wears a turban, a short dhoti and a scarf. Green background. Flowering plants shown on the ground. Size : 6.5 x 9 cm.
(Fig. 35)
Folio 18 A : Vasantasiri and Haribala.
In the illustration, Vasantasiri and Haribala are shown riding on horseback on the way to a city. In the foreground is a small river with shrubs on the bank. The draughtsmanship is neat and the figures are depicted with a mixed expression of eagerness and fatigue on their faces. Green background. Size : 11 x 6.9 cm.
GROUP VII
Candrarāja Rāsa dated V. S. 1869 (= 1812 A. D.) copied in Poona from the collections of Muni Sri Punyavijayaji. Size : 24.3 x 11.5 cm.
Total folios : 233 This Canda-raja Rast was composed by Mohanvijaya Gani in 1726 A.D. in Rajanagara (Ahmedabad) according to the colophon on folio 229. According to the colophon the work was called Candanacaritra. Many manuscripts of this text are available in Jaina Bhandaras some of which are noted by M. D. Desai, Jaina Gurjara Kavio, Vol. III, part 2, pp. 1383-87.
We have an interesting post-colophon long entry on f. 230 which informs us that in V. S. 1869 (= 1812 A.D.) another Mohanavijaya, from Kaurala (modern Koral or Kurala, near Sinor in Baroda District, Gujarat), has copied this manuscript while staying in Budhavar Peth, Poona (Maharashtra). This he copied at the request of Vakhāriā Hirāchand and others, originally hailing from Vijapur (in Gujarat), and at that time residing in Poona. Mohanvijaya Muni (and possibly) some other Jaina laymen) had gone to Poona (probably to collect funds) for the temple or temples known as 'gavādā nā derā'.
This entry is noteworthy for a proper appreciation of the style of the miniature paintings of this profusely illustrated manuscript. The figures wear Deccani dresses, and the influence of Deccan painting is obvious. It is not at all clear whether the miniatures were done by Mohanavijaya himself or whether a local artist was employed. What is noteworthy however about these miniatures (figure from f. 73 A) is