Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s3: The Royal Hunt Scene: Not Identified
Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s3
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The Royal Hunt Scene: Not Identified
v4.c16.s3.1
Plate IV c
v4.c16.s3.2
*The scene is painted on the left wall of the veranda, to the left of the cell-door above subject IV b in Cave XVII.*
v4.c16.s3.3
THE scene represents a forest where trees with broad leaves like those of the teak (*Tectona grandis*) which abounds in the hills around the Ajanta monasteries, may be noticed. The people represented in the painting are shown on a march, as if returning from a camp, and either going home or moving to another camp. Beginning from the top left corner, first a grey horse may be noticed and close to it the head of an elephant, which is very dim in the reproduction and of which only by the animal's eyes can be made out. The royal party was apparently riding on the elephant and the horse, but owing to the damaged condition of the fresco their figures cannot be made out. In front of the horse, towards the right, two bullocks may be seen, led by a man with a string, which was probably passed through the nostrils of the bullocks in order to keep them under control. Below, near the elephant's head, is a stalwart figure of a greenish complexion, conventionally representing a forest tribesman. The head of the figure is defaced, but the body is intact. In front of the latter is a woman with a child on her hip and a large tray on her head. In the tray she is carrying either a bundle tied with string, or the royal pillow with a trimmed cross-design. The woman is wearing a *sārī* of a striped material. In front of the woman are two soldiers or hunters, one armed with a short curved sword and a rectangular shield, and his companion with a bow and a quiver. They are clad in short *dhotīs* (loin-cloths) and have only scarves across their chests to cover the upper part of the body. Both of them are wearing sandals with leather straps round the ankles. The drawing of the legs suggests quick movement. Lower down, again beginning from the left, may be seen an attendant who holds a staff with the representation of a crown at the top. He may be the royal staff-bearer, this guess being made more likely by the dress of the attendant, who is clad in a long white coat and is also wearing a cap. Above his head a square bamboo umbrella may be seen, for protection against the sun. In front of this attendant is a bearded man carrying a pair of baskets hung with strings from a curved bamboo which he holds across his shoulders, immediately behind his neck.
v4.c16.s3.4
The painting is much damaged, but such figures as are intact show a firm outline and also washes of deep colour to give the impression of figures in the round. The leaves of trees have been painted green, but their edges and texture are cleverly tinted dark or light to add to the artistic effect.