The full title of this film by Benoy K Behl, whose films I have featured on this site many times, is “Art of Compassion, Buddhist Heritage of the Western and Eastern Deccan”, which describes the subject matter perfectly.
I have visited and photographed most of the sites shown from the western Deccan and it is inspiring indeed to see such an appreciation of the sites, which still seem to me to be undervalued, especially by Buddhists themselves.
These are some of the finest artistic creations of mankind and remain as a testimony to the wonderful civilisations that arose in India in the Middle Ages, and their vision of the spiritual world.
The first half of the film which covers the western Deccan, includes, amongst other places: Bhedse, Karle, Pitalkhora, Kanheri, Aurangabad, Ajanta and Ellora.
The second half of the film if anything inspires me even more, as I haven’t been to these sites yet. I was surprised to learn that there are over 140 Buddhist heritage sites in the Andhra region.
Throughout we see some of the most sublime sculptures, reliefs and rock-cut cave temples that were built during this period (2c BCE – 12c CE), and it also covers the beginnings of Indian painting.
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