Bagh Paintings : Identification and Interpretation/Meena Talim. New Delhi, Somaiya, 2002, xvi, 107 p., $33. ISBN 81-7039-251-2.

Contents: Foreword. Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Site and situation. 2. History of exploration. II. Identification and interpretation: 1. Malini – Vastu. 2. Vidhura pandita Jataka. 3. Miracle of the Buddha. 4. Dance sequence. 5. Horse – procession of the Licchavis. 6. The procession of elephants. III. A word on the frescoes: 1. Selection of topics. 2. Padmapani Bodhisattava. 3. Padmapani Bodhisattava : Cave II. 4. Padmapani in Cave IV. IV. Scroll paintings. V. The Bagh and Ajanta frescoes: a comparison. Conclusion. References. Bibliography. Index.

"Buddhist art in India which flourished from the time of King Ashoka (3 century B.C.) to that of the Pala dynasty (A.D. 13 century) is devoted to monumental and sculptural art. Fresco painting is a salient feature of this period, particularly during the reign of the Guptas.

"While the frescoes at Ajanta are a favourite subject of art critics and historians, those at Bagh in Central India seem to have been overlooked. Very few scholars worked on the Bagh frescoes which are now almost destroyed.

"Dr. Meena Talim has attempted to collect all slender strings of information about the paintings and bring forth a clear and complete picture of the Bagh frescoes. Her approach is guided by the belief that Buddhist art cannot be truly evaluated without the help of Buddhist texts." (jacket)