Vastu-shastra (Vol. I: Hindu Science of Architecture; Vol. II: Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting) v2.c78.s2.53

v2.c78.s2.53

**Backgrounds.**—Bāṇa was conversant with all the three pictorial backgrounds Paṭṭa, Paṭa and Bhitti—the wooden board, the canvas and the walls of buildings. “It was not an uncommon practice in India to draw and paint creepers, dragons and such things on the body to heighten the beauty of the particular spots which on that account fromed the ground. This practice was not restricted to the human body alone. Majestic elephants of royal courts were profusely decorated with designs of creepers. Drawing and painting on vessels is an age-long custom in our land. Another and a more natural ground is the floor or the bare ground, giving ample scope for clever women to draw fine free-hand-drawings in colour powders. All these are too well known to Bāṇa and what is more, he is very well aware that any ground is alright for a good drawing provided one has cleverness of excution; and the stone salb that served the purpose of a canvas or board when neither was procurable to gladden the heart of a lover by a picture of the beloved one is not overlooked.” (12).