Ajanta: The Colour and Monochrome Reproductions of the Ajanta Frescoes Based on Photography v4.c16.s8.12

v4.c16.s8.12

The fourth episode is the court-scene in which the *rānī* faints at the sight of the tusks of the benevolent elephant, who was her husband in his previous birth. She is shown stretched on a couch, supported from behind by the rājā. Two round pillows with circular designs at their ends may be seen at the head of the couch, behind the rājā. The couch has short carved feet of a plain type, but its frame has a creeper design. There are several maids in attendance: one of them is rubbing the soles of her mistress’s feet, another is preparing sandal-paste, another is fanning, another is using the *chaurī* (whisk), and another holds the hand of the *rānī* in hers, and is speaking words to revive her. There are also three male attendants, two of whom have long sticks in their hands. The features of the maid who holds the *rānī*’s hand, and of the male servant in the middle, are contorted with grief. The hunter is shown with the tusks placed on a large platter. As the colours of the painting have faded considerably and the outline is also dim, it is not possible to study fully the artistic detail. The ensemble of the figures, however, clearly conveys pathos.