The Ajanta Caves: Ancient Paintings of Buddhist India [Paperback]

Benoy K. Behl (Author, Photographer), Milo Cleveland Beach (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2005

New in paperback, this stunningly photographed book was hailed by "The Times Higher Education Supplement" as one of the most gorgeous and stimulating books of Indian art ever produced.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Some 2000 years ago, the first of the magnificent temples of Ajanta were carved directly into the great volcanic cliffs of the Waghora River in western India. In a series of creative bursts over the centuries, they were decorated with hundreds of subtle and beautiful murals depicting scenes from the lives of Buddha and the Buddhist cosmology. Although most of the other ancient temple murals of India disappeared long ago, those in Ajanta have survived in the dark of the cavelike temples. To further the murals' preservation and enhance the viewer's understanding of how beautiful they are in their original setting as seen by an oil lamp's dim light, the author has photographed the murals for the first time without using strong artificial lighting. Since Buddhist art spread with the wandering monks into Southeast Asia, China, Korea, and Japan, these murals are a fascinating glimpse at the wellspring of a great deal of Asian art. The 189 superb color photographs are complemented by a concise text and a series of explanatory line drawings and maps. Highly recommended.?David McClelland, Philadelphia
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

The ancient caves of Ajanta in western India, rediscovered by British soldiers in 1819, are the only known examples of Buddhist carvings and paintings from an epoch of extraordinary vitality. The earliest of the 31 designed caves along the Waghora River date from the second century B.C., when the first Buddhists forbade representation of the Buddha himself, leaving artists free to employ a lexicon of symbolic figures. Six centuries later, the most splendidly realized of the caves were created to express the visions of the Mahayana order. Here the Buddha is lovingly portrayed seated, and the story of his life is depicted in sensuous detail. As adept a commentator as he is a photographer, Behl provides fascinating explanations of the techniques used to carve the animated reliefs and paint the richly detailed murals. He writes, "It is the life of the spirit rather than that of worldly existence which pervades these paintings," and, indeed, their contemplative beauty inspires a joy not unlike a foretaste of the purported ecstasy of enlightenment. Donna Seaman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500285012
• ISBN-13: 978-0500285015
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Arts & Photography > Schools, Periods & Styles > Ancient & Classical
  • #87 in Books > Arts & Photography > Religious

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best photographs of the Ajanta murals, November 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ajanta Caves: Artistic Wonder of Ancient Buddhist India (Hardcover)

The Ajanta caves can be considered among the wonders of the ancient world, both in terms of their artistic and their spiritual value, and this book captures the beauty and detail of the remarkable murals. If I were to make one criticism, it would be that it emphasizes the murals at the expense of largely neglecting the sculptures, which are magnificent in their own right. The book might better be titled, "Murals of the Ajanta Caves." I ordered it without seeing it first, and I was a little disappointed to see how few photographs were included of the sculptures. Nevertheless, the beautiful and clear photographs of the murals alone are worth the price of the book, and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone interested in the Ajanta caves, or in ancient Indian or Buddhist art.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of the Adjanta Caves, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ajanta Caves: Artistic Wonder of Ancient Buddhist India (Hardcover)

This book offers the best color photographs of the Ajanta caves that I have seen. The text offers an excellent explication of the history and iconography of the images. Having been to the caves, I can honestly say that you see the paintings more clearly in this book than at the caves themselves. (This is due to crowded conditions and poor lighting at the caves.) This book is an important adjunct to any study of Buddhist art and inconography. If you're planning to travel to Ajanta, buy this book first.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Photographed, February 23, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ajanta Caves: Artistic Wonder of Ancient Buddhist India (Hardcover)

If you are planning a trip to India, you should consider visiting the caves at Ajanta. If you are planning to visit the caves, you should read this book before the trip. You will get a lot more out of the experience of the caves if you know the Jataka stories and understand the Buddhist iconography described in this book.

Even if you have no plans to travel to Ajanta, the boook contains beautiful photograpghs which will make a nice addition to any collection of art books or, for that matter, to any coffee table.