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This atmospheric exhibition explores the evolution and artistic intertwining of three major religions in India – Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism – through their sacred art and devotional objects. At the heart of Ancient India: living traditions, which recently opened at the British Museum in London, is the intriguing story of how, between 200 BC and AD 600, depictions of gods and other sacred figures in all three of these faiths underwent a dramatic transformation, changing from more abstract, symbolic representations to human figures.
This artistic revolution – as well as how all three religions have interacted with, and influenced, each other over the centuries, and their continuing legacy today – is vividly illustrated by over 180 artefacts, paintings, manuscripts, and sculptures drawn from the British Museum’s own South Asian collections, together with community, national, and international loans. The gallery in which they are displayed has been turned into a meditatively peaceful space, dimly lit with flowing veils dividing sections dedicated to each religious tradition, and filled with the sounds of water and birdsong. None of the areas are crammed with objects, giving visitors plenty of room to wander and calmly contemplate serene-featured figures and fragments of temple decorations – but that is not to say that there is not plenty to see, and more to learn.
In one section, you can examine a small but ornately decorated, gold, cylindrical reliquary that possibly dates to the late 1st century AD and bears what is thought to be the earliest representation of the Buddha as a man (he was previously depicted using more symbolic imagery, such as footprints or a tree). In another you can encounter instantly recognisable figures like the elephant-headed god Ganesha, who is revered by Hindus as well as some Jains and Buddhists: in one of the sculpted forms on display he is shown dancing joyfully, while in another (ABOVE) he sits more sedately with his feet together, in an interpretation more typical of Javanese artists, showing how creative ideas evolved as religious beliefs travelled outside India. Elsewhere visitors can find out about how beliefs about ancient nature spirits influenced all three artistic traditions.
Some of the sculptures date back 2,000 years, but this exhibition is not focused solely on ancient history – accompanying videos illuminate how these traditions continue to influence the daily lives of some two billion people around the world, including in diaspora communities within the UK. It was interesting, too, to read about how the exhibition itself had come together: the curators worked closely with an advisory panel of practising representatives of all three religions, who offered guidance on how sacred objects should be displayed. Accordingly, Ancient India uses only vegan-friendly glues, fabrics, and paints in all of its designs.
Further information: Ancient India: living traditions runs at the British Museum in London until 19 October. See http://www.britishmuseum.org/ancientindia for more details.
All images: © The Trustees of the British Museum
