Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v2.c8.s8.8

v2.c8.s8.8

The *Yakṣiṇī* is sitting with her legs almost doubled up. In her hands she holds a musical instrument, over which she has gracefully bent her head while she plays. The head of this figure also is damaged, but when intact must have been one of the most charming of the pictures of women at Ajanta. The part which remains shows an almost round face with full lips and delicate chin. The subtle beauty of the curls of the hair has been indicated by fine brush-lines along the temple and on the crown and back of the head. Among her ornaments the designs of the small ear-rings and of the *kaṅgans* (bracelets) are interesting as they are still in fashion among the agricultural classes of India. The musical instrument is probably one with strings, for the position of her left hand shows that she is playing on them. The thumb of her right hand has come out through a hole in the lower part of the instrument, and she has made a loop (*dharmacakra*) with it and her middle finger, apparently to show that she is playing a tune in harmony with the religious mood of her consort.