The link between art and emotion is direct. In man-made environment, a painting brings the positive feelings in the mind. An art of any kind brings happiness. In natural environment, sweet sound of birds create pleasant feeling in the mind. On the other hand, Shouting of dogs create another feeling. What changed here is the object of thought. At first it was bird singing, later dog came into the picture and feelings changed. Same happens in case of a painting. A drawing of child smiling create feeling of love and care. A drawing of warriors create one feeling and A drawing of couple generate another feeling. In each case, an artist has depicted something based on emotion, that resulted in creating sentiments in the mind of the viewer. This psycological effect of painting was well known to the authors of the Vishnudharmottara purana. In vishnudharmottara purana, chapter 43, shloka 1 mentions types of chitra rasas. They are emotions aroused by painting. Following are the chitra rasas mentioned in Vishnudharmottara purana – “The Sentiments represented in the paintings are said to be nine. Sringara which is erotic sentiment, Hasya which means humourous, Karuna which is sadness, Vira which means Heroic, Raudra which means furious, Bhayanaka which means fearful, Bibhatsa which means disgusting, Adbhuta which means causing wonder, Shanta which means peaceful.”
Vishnudharmottara purana not only gives the list of sentiments but also tells what to include in painting in order arouse specific emotion. For example in Shloka 2 mentions “That which is full of beauty on account of splendour, sweetness and a fine detail lines of the dress and ornaments according to the taste of the learned painter causes Sringara Rasa.”
In order words, when beauty, loveliness are depicted precisely with fine details, it creates Sringara Rasa. Similary In Vishnudharmottra purana information is given about what to include in the painting to generate specific sentiments. It is also mentioned in Chapter 43, shloka 11 that “Pictures at home should depict Sringara, Hasya and Shanta rasas. The rest sentiments should never be used in the house of anyone.” It means paintings related to fear, disguist and anger should not be kept at home, as it will arouse same feelings in the mind of the resident.
Chapter 43, Shloka 20 mentions, “Painting which has not proper position, which is devoid of appropriate rasa, and which is empty to look at, hazy with darkness and devoid of life-essence or chetana is not called praiseworthy.”
In that way, Vishnudharmottara purana hightlights profound effect of painting with respect to emotions and also highlights importance of arousing emotion through painting. With this knowledge an artist can plan his drawings which will generate particular sentiment. In case of Ajintha paintings, Sentiments expressed are based on Jataka tales of Lord Buddha. As Ajintha Monastery was a place for Buddhist monk, the ultimate goal of all ajintha paintings was to bring Shanta rasa ie peaceful calm state of mind.
Abhinaya or acting
There are four types of acting mentioned in Vishnudharmottara purana, chapter 20, 14-15. They are as follows – by costumes, by facial expression or expression of emotions, using speech, using body language.
“The picture which seems as if dancing by its posture or appears to be frightened, laughing or graceful appears to be as if living.
The picture which is as if breathing or alive is endowed with good qualities.” – Chapter 43, Shloka 21,22
Above verses of Vishnudharmottara purana mentions that, in order to arouse emotion, an artist can display characters doing acting in the painting. In order words, If a character is shown with expressions and postures, then that will make that character alive on the canvas. A viewer will then able to relate with that character better.
the story in the painting is such that, queen Sivali is trying to persuade her husband king Janaka to stay in the palace in various ways. King Janaka’s raised outer eyebrows show that he is questioning his wife’s persuasion. When a single person is surrounded by many people, it appears that they are putting some pressure on him. Such subtle effect can be seen in this painting, where queen Sivali with other people is trying to persuade king Janaka. King Janaka’s legs are crossed. From a body language point of view, it is called the Scissors.Such crossed leg shows a closed, submissive or defensive attitude1. It is interesting that 2000 years ago, Artists accurately showed King Janaka’s denial through his negative body language.
