The art to be a depiction of life as a beautiful and colored whole—‘a glorious epic harmony’—resulting in one of the most remarkable creative achievements in the history of mankind.

In ancient India, citra-salas (halls of paintings) were constructed by kings for entertainment. An old Jaina story tells of how a certain King Jiyasattu, consigned a hall to the painter's guild delegating work to each family. It so happened that the daughter of an old painter, who used to bring her father's meals to him in the hall, one day, painted a peacock's feather in colors on the paved floor, entirely true to nature. Later, as the King was considering the paintings, he saw the peacock's feather and reached to pick it up. So much for the power of illusion!

The art of painting has flourished in India from very early periods; it was one of the 64 arts and sciences practiced according to the tradition in ancient India. But because of its perishable nature, only a few tantalizing examples have survived. The classic examples of mural paintings—huge works executed on the walls of solid structures—can be found in Ajanta and Kailasanatha temple, Ellora. No doubt, the artists of Ajanta understood art to be a depiction of life as a beautiful and colored whole—`a glorious epic harmony'—resulting in one of the most remarkable creative achievements in the history of mankind.

Medieval Indian Murals, Perennial Legacy paintings, Vishnudharmottara, Nandi mandapa at Ellora, Indian literature, Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram, Chitrasutra, Ajanta and Sittannavasal, Brihadeesvara temple, Concise Medieval Indian History,Maurya Dynasty, Asoka Dynasty, Pala Dynasty, Gupta Dynasty.