Indian Antiquary Vol 03

Author(s): Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 38

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1874.
men sent him were nos equal to the work. "The "For the purposes of art education, no better joints are coarse, and too great freedom was examples could be placed before an Indian art stutaken in stopping up the undercuttings with clay dent than those to be found in the caves of Ajanta. -thus destroying that sharpness and crispness Here we have art with life in it.-human faces which characterizes much of the ornament here. full of expression, -limbs drawn with grace and
The subjects moulded are chiefly in alto-rilievo, action,-flowers which bloom,birds which soar, of buffaloes aud elephants engaged in fight--the -and beasts that spring, or fight, or patiently action in all being most vigorously given. These carry burdens -all are taken from Nature's book old Buddhist artists were perfectly acquainted -growing after her pattern, and in this respect with the elephant-for we find him carved and differing entirely from Muhammadan art, which painted with a knowledge that is truly remark is unreal, unnatural, and therefore incapable of able."
development." Among the drawings is one "giving a general "There are no other ancient remains in India *plan of the cave with an elevation of each wall where we find the three sister arts-Architecture, showing how much of the painting still remains, Sculpture, and Painting--so admirably combined how much was copied by Major Gill, and saved as we do at Ajanta. This surely should be a from the fire, -and how much was copied by me sufficient plea for their betur preservation. To during the past season. I should not have known leave them in their present unprotected, uncaredof the existence of the former if it had not been for condition would be a disgrace to any govern. for a friend in Bombay who possesed photographs
ment." of them which he kindly lent me." From this 1 It is to be hoped these interesting illustrations of drawing it appears that much remains still unco- Indian art will be utilized by publication, and that pied in Cave I.
others will be added to them whilst any may still On the influence of these relies of ancient In- be secured. In a few years scarcely a vestige will dian art on the students, Mr. Griffiths remarks- be left.
LEGEND RELATING TO GREY PUMPKINS.
BY V. N. NARASIMMIYENGAR, BENGALUR. It is perhaps known to few that the Vakkli- tent upon their own domestic affairs, and Bharata garu or cultivators of the Maisor province, and could not get anybody to form his retinue. He doubtless of the neighbouring distriots, have a very was thus obliged to visit his dominions unatstrong traditional dislike to the cultivation and tended, save by a single minister, named Su. eating of the grey ashy kind of pumpkins, which manta, whose fidelity nothing could overcome. are known in Canarese as Badigumbalakayi, and in In this pass, Bharata was advised by an aged Hindustani as Patha. As far as I have been able Vakkalaga to tie to his waist a bell, the ring. to ascertain, there is no record in the Puranas of ing of which was the signal of his approach. On the legend which is given in explanation of the Rama's return and restoration, he one day exacustom. It differs in various parts in details, but mined the treasury, and felt very blank at find. I have no doubt that the principal features of the ing it empty. Bharata was ready to explain the story as given here are current generally amongst cause. Râma hereupon hit upon an expedient for the sadras.
replenishing his treasury. He sent for a grey "In the days of the Emperor Rama', when he pumpkin (Búdigumbalakdyi), took out the scods, was exiled by his father to the wilds of Dandaka, and keeping one for himself, had the remainder Bharata was appointed Regent. The rayats boiled in milk. He then sent for all the rayats of waxed rich, and tried every dodge to cozen the his empire, gave each of them a seed, and told king and defraud him of his revenues. If re. them that as rent each rayat should pay a pumpquired to give to Government the upper crop as kin. He also got his own seed planted in the palace rent, they cultivated roots, ground-nut, saffron, garden. The rayats were elated at the easy terms &c, and brought only the stalks and straw to the they had got from Rama, and planted their seeds, Treasury; and when in the following year the but not one of them grew up. Râma's seed was State officers wanted the lower crop, they sowed of course fertile. At the time of the khiets, the Daddy, rågi, wheat, &c., and the tax-gatherer was rayats pleaded that their seeds were useless, and obliged to be content only with the straw. The on Rama showing them his own pumpkins, they result of this state of things was emptiness of the offered to pay, instead, gold of the weight of one of exchequer, and the ungovernable insolence of the Rama's fruits. The king at once agreed, but the rayats. All the officers of Government were in weighing proved most disastrous to the Vakkali