Excerpts from a series of films Benoy Behl made in 2005 on the subject of The Paintings of India. In this first playlist I feature the documentaries on sacred art.
India Untouched – Stories of a People Apart
A documentary about the scourge of caste and untouchability in modern-day India, covering the subject in a comprehensive way amongst all walks of life.
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: The Untold Truth
Louis Malle’s Calcutta (India 1969)
French filmmaker Louis Malle’s film about Calcutta, which records in intimate detail the lives of the people in the city.
Sita Sings the Blues
A modern retelling of the Ramayana story by Nina Paley featuring the music of the 20s blues singer Annette Hanshaw.
Siddhartha, A Musical Journey to Enlightenment
Extracts from a musical produced by the vibrant Fo Shang Guan community in the Philippines tracing the Life of Siddhartha until his Awakening and his return to his home town – a special for Vesak.
Bronze Technology in Cambodia
A very interesting talk given as part of the Aspects of Angkor series which traces the introduction of bronze work in SE Asia, and also the technologies that are involved in the work.
Reconstructing the Ruined Buddhist Complex of Banteay Chhmar
A presentation by Oliver Cunin on Banteay Chhmar, a Mahayana Temple, which is the largest of the Angkorian sites outside of the main complex itself.
Divine Dwellings: The Architectural Context of Khmer Sculpture
A very good overview of the development of Khmer architecture and statuary given by Helen Jessup as part of the Aspects of Angkor series of lectures at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington
