The foundation of art is based on design principles. When art student joins the school for learning art, his education starts with the learning design principles. Modern design principles include using right colors, typography and selection of right layout for the design. The idea of using design principles is not new. Two thousand years ago in India, Paintings at Ajanta were created based on design principles existed in those times. There were Chitrashala or school of learning art in every major cities in India. Such schools were having galleries to exhibit paintings. Such art galleries were major attractions of the city.
Just by looking at Ajanta paintings, one can wonder how they were created? Art students may want to know secrets of great Ajanta paintings. They may ask , What makes the Ajanta paintings outstanding in the whole world? The answer is that, artists in those period were expert and they followed design principles and knowledge existed in those era.
What are design principles existed two thousand years ago in India?
Six Rules of Painting
In Vishnudharmottara Puran, Chitrasutra are mentioned. It is similar to the guidebook for the artists. It mentions how to create painting and what are defects of the painting. In Eleventh century book ‘Jaymangala‘ by Yasodhara, Six Rules of painting are mentioned. Those principles were in practice for creating art of that time. At Ajanta, these six aspects can be observed in the paintings.
1. Rupbhed 2. Pramana 3. Bhava 4. Lavanya-yojana 5. Sadrushya 6. Varnika-bhang
1. Rupbhed – Rupbhed means identifying the uniqueness of the main subject of the painting. Such unique aspect may differentiate the painting from rest of the paintings. It will also help to add beauty to the painting. Such uniqueness which brings beauty is called ‘Rup’. Whenever a painting is seen by a viewer, Appreciation can be expressed for something unique about the painting. Such thing can be a thing or personality trait or a emotion such as love of mother for child, an expression of lover, a crown of queen, standing pose of a lion. It is what differentiate the subject from the rest of the world.
This is famous ajanta painting of Boddhisattva Vajrapani. Here his crown is unique feature. This type of crown cant be seen in any other ajanta painting.
2. Pramana – Pramana means maintaining correct proportions. It also includes having a good composition. It includes various aspects, like distance between objects, height of an object or person in the painting. In case of Pramana, body proportions of the persons must be proper in the painting. Before drawing, Artist has to plan how much longer will be hands of the person with respect to his body. It’s by using Pramana, the viewer can clearly grasp the differences between the people and other objects in the painting. In Below painting, there is man in front of an adult elephant. Here height of elephant cant be smaller than the height of the man. This is called keeping right pramana or proportions.
An Elephant is taller than a man. Height of an average man is till the eyes of the elephant. Such precise proportions are depicted in the ajanta painting ( Above image).
3. Bhava – The very nature of our true self is peaceful and calm. When such peace is disturbed by some reason, it is called Bhava or emotion. In yogsutra, Vruttis are mentioned. When a mind comes in contact with the things in the outside world, it feels various types of vibrations. Such vibrations can be pleasant or undesirable. ‘Natya-shastra’ book of Bharatmuni has detailed information about the types of Bhavas.
King and Queen feeling love in Ajanta painting (Above image)
It is important to express emotions in the painting, so that viewers can connect with the topic of the painting. Can a dance or drama performance be done without expressing emotions? Ans is No. Same way , a painting must have visual element that will evoke emotion in the minds of the viewres. Such emotion must have correct reason. Eg.A child is happy in her mother’s arms. The reason is she is getting her mother’s love. There is logic behind her happiness which is shown in the painting. Together it will be pleasant experience for the viewer. After watching painting, a viewer must feel relaxed and happy. That is the purpose of the painting, to elevate the thinking of the viewer.
4. Lavanya-yojana – Here the thought is given to add elements, that will enhance beauty of the painting. It may include adding ornaments to the Painting of Princess or adding royal furniture or chandelier to depict scene of the palace.
It also includes an aspect of adding correct lighting in the painting. There must be a balance between highlights and shadows. The right amount of contrast has to be there
5. Sadrushya – It means expressing the similarity between two things or persons. Such similarity can be better expressed by ’emotions’ than the outer shape of an object. It won’t be appealing to show, two people having exactly similar hairstyles and costumes in painting. Rather It is interesting to see two different people expressing same bhavas or emotions.
6. Varnika-bhang – It is about selecting right color combination for the painting. We understand the world around, due to contrast in the colors. Nature has various color combinations such as Green grass over Brown ground, or Red flowers on Green plant. Varnika-bhang means selecting color combinations, that are suitable and appealing for the painting. To have visual harmony, right color combinations must be selected.
