________________
Galta Frescoes
A ROYAL PROCESSION:
A mural in a lunette on one of the walls of a 'chatri' erected on the edge of kund, a spring of running water, near Galta, a religious centre of pilgrimage for Vaishnavite in the vicinity of Jaipur. The procession is headed by an infantry, chariot, camel, horse and elephant riders bearing the royal standard followed by drummers and standard bearers. Behind this group a footman is leading a fully caparisoned horse without a rider and again followed by a group of soldiers followed by the king riding in a howdah on a richly decorated royal elephant with a mahāvat in front and an attendant at the back. The king is again followed by the infantry, cavaliers, riders on elephants and camels. The whole scene of the king and his entourage is enacted on a sloping hillock against the evening glow of clouds shown on the horizon. The very interesting feature of this mural is the fine depiction of the royal elephant, giving an idea of the continuity of the Ajanta and Moghul traditions of painting of this noble and intelligent beast. The finish and the details of this pictorial essay are excellent. The border of the lunette is designed with leafy foliage which is a little garish and recent. VEHICLES A panel-picture showing the type of vehicles employed by the elite and the laity for conveyance in the days when these murals were painted. Mark the bullock, camel and horsedriven chariots besides the riders on the elephants and horses. It is a charming little panel on one of the facades of this pavillion at Galta. DĀNA-LILA: A miniature painting transferred to the wall surface. Though the execution is folkish in style, it has all its deliciousness of expression and movement. It is dramatic in feeling. Look at the way in which Krishna is snatching away the curd-pots of the two milk-maids trying to evade him; and also the 'gopa', the cow-boy, preventing, with his lotus-stalk stick, the two milk-maids from running away. What delicate sentiments it expresses! The two monkies in the righthand corner of the picture, licking the emptied curd-pots give sense of humour to the scene. The trees and bushes are traditionally treated. 22 ]
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
