Jaina art and aesthetics principal author, Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari

Like Buddhism, Jainism is one of the world’s oldest religions – which arose in India, in the 6th century BC, as a revolt against the Brahmanic ritualistic practices.

Essentially a heretic, altogether independent faith, its basic tenets are non-violence, renunciation, austerity, and non-acquisition – which are distinctly reflected

in its arts as well.

The Jaina millennia-long art tradition: from the 3rd century BC down to the present day, claims the author, has never compromised with these basic tenets – as can be

seen in the figural representations of the vitaragi Jinas (or Tirathankaras) and Bahubali.

This book is an effort to highlight the landmarks of Jaina

Art: in all its multiplicity and vast variety, and also how it is positioned in Indian art and culture. The study also reveals that Jaina art has never been

monotonous, as observed by many scholars. Not only Jaina texts eulogize the beauty of the dhyana-murtis of Jinas, but its sculptures and paintings also express

their beauty brilliantly, at once aesthetically. The intimate relationship between Man (including Jinas and other divinities) and Nature is prominently emphasized in

all forms of Jaina Art.

Over the time, the Jainas also came to assimilate, directly or indirectly, many deities of the Vedic-Puranic tradition into its pantheon.

With a comprehensive

overview of Indian art and culture, the book presents the landmarks of Jaina Art – its

architecture, sculptures, stupas, rock-cut caves, temples, paintings, murals, and manuscripts; besides studies on Jaina aesthetics, socio-philosophical values, texts

on aesthetics, aesthetic appeal of Jaina sculptures and temples, among other aspects. Also examined here, in meticulous detail, is the iconography of Jina (or

Tirthankara), Yakshas-Yakshis, Mahavidyas (or Vidyadevis), of Bahubali and of many other Jaina divinities. The book is immensely enriched with inclusion of over 300

exquisite photographs: about 150 in colour.

Dr Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari is Professor in the Department of History of Art, Banaras Hindu University (BHU),

Varanasi – where the co-author, Dr Sinha is Assistant Professor.