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CHAPTER XXI
PĀȚALI
(Wooden Book-covers) In medieval times wooden panels were used to period A.D. 1050 - A.D. 1350 exhibit a remarkable generally by the merchants to note down their daily freedom in their style as well as content. The subjects transactions, which they transferred to the account books and the factors applied in manuscript illustrations did at their convenience. The writers used the wooden not apply to the Pătalis. They were confined to portrayals panels to write the rough versions of their books before with an iconic bias. The earlier examples belonging to transferring them to the palm-leaf or paper manuscripts. 11th century A.D. show the beautiful floral creepers In the middle ages the wooden panels known as Patalis around birds, animals like elephant, lion, fishes, tortoise were used as book-covers for Jaina palm-leaf etc. and human beings. Another group of Patalis manuscripts. In such cases the Patalis (wooden panels) documents the events of historical importance. Such were often illustrated with various scenes. The linear events include the episodes as the consecration of the conception of Western Indian School is quite apparent temple of Mahāvīra at Marot in Marwar and dispute in these paintings with pointed nose and chin. Generally, between Svetāmbara and Digambara sects protogonists. the colours used in Pātalis are red, pink, indigo-blue, The Pătali (12th century A.D.) showing the scene of yellow, black on the red or brick-red background. The religious discussion between Svetāmbara monk Vādi Patalis also served as exercise books for children. Often, Devasüri, a great logician, and the Digambara monk the alphabets were painted on these Patalis for the Kumudacandra is one of the important examples of children to copy. The oldest Patali was discovered by Patali (Pls. 243-44). Possibly, the Pătali was painted late Sri Punyavijayaji from the famous Jñana-bhandāra at Patana which was a centre of Jaina learning. A of Jaisalmer. The Pătali is painted on both the sides- detailed description of this discussion is given in the obverse and reverse. On the obverse it shows the temple Prabhāvakacarita, Prabandhacintamani etc. which deals of Neminātha, and the preaching hall of Devasūri. The with the life and works of Vādi Devasūri. Another painting is done in unwashable colours. In the centre example documents the famous Jaina legend partaining of the cover is represented the inner side of a Jaina to battle between Bharata and Bahubali (Pl. 245). The temple with a Jina image in the central square and an example of Pātali is also known from Jaisalmer bhandara. attendant on each side. In the compartment on the right The painted Patali in Jaina Jñāna-bhandara, Jaisalmer, are two worshippers standing with folded hands, two showing a Jaina temple with the Jaina image, also drum-players, two female dancers and at the top a represents worshippers, drummers and dancers, flying Kinnari flying in the sky. Besides, the worshippers with Kinnara and Kinnari, Acārya, Jaina monk, persons folded hands, flying Kinnara, vyākhyānasabhā (discourse hearing discourse of Acārya with sthāpanācārya hall) of Jinadattasūri with the figures of monk, laymen (Pl. 243). The border of the manuscript has leaf design. hearing the discourse of Acārya are also treated. The There are other Patalis which represent Jina seated in borders of the panel are decorated with the leaf design. padmāsana in the centre with seated and folded hands The earliest Pāțalis known so far from Gujarat and devotees and Acāryas discoursing with each-other (12th Rajasthan are the Pătalis of Niśītha-Bhāşya (11th century century A.D.) etc. With brick-red colour background A.D.) with decorated roundels. The Pāšalis belonging there are Patalis which represent the seated figure of
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