Mahavira Jain Vidyalay Suvarna Mahotsav Granth Part 1

Author(s): Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya Mumbai
Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Page 887

388: SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME Folio 4 A Game of Gendi-daḍā (Border decorations of the Kalakakatha.
The border decorations of this folio on its four sides as also in the central margin again illustrate Muslim soldiers in various attitudes, but the principal theme of illustration is the game of ball and stick (gendi-dadā), referred to in the text. According to the story when young boys (of the Sähis) were playing this game the ball fell in a well. The Sahi soldiers could not succeed in raising the ball on the surface of water with their skill in archery but Kälakācārya showed his mastery in archery by raising up the ball from the bottom of the well by shooting arrows. This is shown in the miniature painting on the left end of the folio which is divided into three compartments, the two lower orders showing youngsters playing the game while the top panel shows a well with a Persian wheel and Kalaka and a muslim. soldier trying their skill on the two sides of the well. The typical Persian wheel represented in the printing is of rare occurrence in Indian art. Especially noteworthy is the treatment of the trees in a stylised way and also in some cases the tradition of the Mughal period. Beginning of what is known as Rajasthani painting are certainly to be placed in a period not later than the age of this manuscript. Size: 7x 11 cm. approx.
(Fig. 12)
Folio 78 B: Obstacles in the path of Jaina monks and nuns.
Border decorations of this folio are interesting as illustrating contemporary men and women. According to the text on this folio, the illustrations would at best refer to the fourfold Jaina Samgha and the various disciples or followers of Mahavira, but instead as stated in a short inscription on top of the left hand border the decorations. as well as the miniature on Folio 78 B, depict the various obstacles in the path of the Jaina monk or nun. This is an interesting miniature not common to Kalpa-sutra illustrations. In the upper panel a lady is resting on a mattress with a cobra behind her, and being shampooed by a disciple nun. The lower panel shows a teacher attended upon by a disciple monk. The scenes refer to some Jaina story. The border. decorations of course refer to certain obstacles in the path of Jaina. monks. But the representations are lively. Size: 7x 11 cm. (Fig. 13). Border decorations of the Kalpa-sutra.
One of the folios shows beautiful border decorations of stylised and other trees and monkeys jumping on rocks and trees, parrots by the sides of trees. Mughal influence on the treatment of rocks and trees is noteworthy. Size: 27 x 11 cm.