Early Jain palm leaf manuscripts were painted mainly on their covers (patlis). In what kind of colours were these patlis painted?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Bright colours
Option (1) Subdued colour tones — Incorrect. Subdued colour tones mark Pala paintings of eastern India, with their flowing, sinuous line. The patlis were liberally painted in bright colours.
Option (2) Gold and lapis lazuli — Incorrect. Jain paintings of the later creative phase, about 1350–1450, used gold and lapis lazuli profusely, showing the wealth of their patrons. The early patlis were painted in bright colours.
Option (3) Grey and terracotta red — Incorrect. Kullu painters of the Pahari region made lavish use of grey and terracotta red in the background. The patlis were liberally painted in bright colours.
Option (4) Bright colours — Correct. The narrow and small palm leaves left little space, so painting went onto the patlis, liberally painted in bright colours with gods, goddesses and lives of Jain acharyas.
NCERT (2026-27): “Western Indian School of Painting …Owing to the narrow and small space on palm leaves, painting, initially, was largely confined to patlis that were liberally painted in bright colours with images of gods and goddesses, and incidents from the lives of Jain acharyas. …A period of roughly hundred years from about 1350–1450 appears to be the most creative phase for Jain paintings. …These paintings were lavishly painted with profuse use of gold and lapis lazuli, indicating the wealth and social status of their patrons.” “Pala School of Painting …Unlike the terse lines of Jain painting, a flowing and sinuous line in subdued colour tones characterises Pala paintings.” |