Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c8.s1.t1.3

c8.s1.t1.3

The palmyra tree, which yielded palm-leaves for writing and painting, is known tāla in Sanskrit, its Hindī and Gujarātī equivalent being tāḍ. This palmyra is of two species śrī-tāḍ and khar-tāḍ, the latter grows in Gujarāt and elsewhere and its fronds are thick, liable to break at the slightest pressure, and its fibres have the tendency to rot and weaken in the course of time. Palm-leaves from this variety are not used for writing or allied purposes. Śrī-tāḍ, the second variety, grows abundantly in Madras, Ceylon, Burma, Bengal and elsewhere. Its fronds are smooth and delicate, measuring at times more than 37" × 3", which is their usual size. Its fibres do not decay easily and its elasticity prevents it breaking even under undue pressure. The fronds of this palmyra yielded palm-leaves for writing.