Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

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JAINA PAINTINGS
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right (but there are exceptions as mentioned earlier). All actions are confined to a single plane. In panels where different events are painted in the same space, the difference is indicated by a change in the background or location like, in a palace or forest; they are not demarcated by lines.
It seems by the Vijayanagar period, there was a standardisation regarding the themes to be depicted and the manner in which they were to be depicted. Initially, it was perhaps only the Samavasarana or important events in the life of a Tirtankara which were depicted. Perhaps later in the Cola - Vijayanagar period, there was a slow transition with introduction of narrative themes with stories illustrated for easy comprehension of the laity. The labels added below, further aided this purpose and people were able to learn the myths about the Tirthankaras in an effortless manner.
As regards the technique, the artist has used many colours (in contrast to the earlier phase of the paintings in the same mandapa) such as red, green, yellow, black, white, blue and orange and a mixture of all colours. He has used a fine brush to capture minute details with great care.
The Tiruparuttikunram paintings are centred on the lives of Tirthankaras and the main occasions in their lives. They are narrative in character and they are basically meant to enumerate the stories and myths associated with the Tirthankaras. They are neatly organised and symmetrically painted. But, the paintings look repetitive as they describe similar events in the lives of the masters and can be identified only by the labels they bear. As most of the figures look very similar, monotony sets in as regards the theme.
But the symmetry and penchant for detail of the Jaina