Buddhist Heritage of the World

Benoy K Behl's films, photography and writing have been significant to the study of Asian art, traditions, culture and heritage for the past 34 years. He has made over 100 documentaries and has taken in excess of 35,000 photographs across China, India, Tibet, Vietnam and Thailand. Behl's exhibitions have been showcased globally and he holds the Limca Book Record for having travelled to all corners of India. Many feel that the vastness of Behl’s documentation presents a wide and new perspective in understanding the art of Asia.

A 16 page feature in Frontline Magazine recently profiled Behl and his latest, globally displayed, exhibition, 'Buddhist Heritage of the World'. The first article written by the art-historian uncovers the legacy of Buddhism and features his own photography, capturing early Buddhist sites and art in India, from the 3rd century BCE until the 2nd century C.E.

Now onto the second instalment, Behl's latest article explores Dynamic Forms in Buddhist art from 400 CE onwards. The detailed piece uncovers the change in Buddhist art at the turn of the 5th Century, analysing a number of important sculptures, monuments and cave paintings from the period. As Behl notes, at this time there was "a change in the artistic representations. Now, beauty and grace are used to transport us, to elevate us through the joy of the aesthetic experience. Perfected beings, full of sublime compassion, are painted and sculpted".