The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c16.s2.30

v2.c16.s2.30

Artists during this period not only possessed consummate skill in delineating both human and animal figures in a vivid style, but their decorative genius in adorning ceilings, pedestals of columns, and door- and window-frames created patterns and motifs of kaleidoscopic variety, each exhibiting extraordinary powers of conception and a highly developed technique. The panel in the ceiling of cave I (Plate XLIX *a*) representing two freakish animals sporting with one another,³ or the parrot in the ceiling of the same cave perched on a lotus-stalk, or the *arhat* shown flying in the ceiling of cave II (Plate XLIX *b*), or the panel of fabulous animals in the hall of cave XVII (Plate L *a*), or the delightful pairs of merry-makers on the door-frame of the latter cave (Plate L *b*), as well as hundreds of other subjects similar to these, show the versatility of the artist's mind, his love of beauty, and his joyous outlook upon life.