CONTENTS:- I. Buddhism in South India; II. Jatakas in Buddhist Literature and Art; III. Jatakas in South Indian Art; IV. Conclusion.
DESCRIPTION
Jatakas in South Indian Art Early Buddhist monastic establishments of South India between 2nd century B.C., and 5th century A.D. were embellished with sculptural paneis depicting the life events of the Buddha and his former births. These visual narratives were created with a view to educate the pilgrims, patrons and also general public about the morals and ethics contained in them. Though the sculptural panels depicted with Jatakas recovered from various sites were published in different journals and excavation reports, some of them were left untouched and unidentified perhaps due to lack of interest and research on this particular aspect. The book entitled ‘Jatakas in South Indian Art’ is first of its kind in which the author has made a sincere attempt to corroborate the panels with original textual sources and identified the Jatakas untouched by the earlier scholars. Fresh discoveries are also incorporated. An attempt is also made to compare the Jatakas of South India with those found in the North Indian sites in order to obtain a clear picture regarding the distribution and their diffusion to distant lands. Attention is also drawn to the ethics and morals from the Jatakas. The book critically examines already published data in addition to the fresh discoveries reported from South Indian sites. The publication is thoroughly supported by good illustrations.
