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A Cosmic Expanse
Ajanta Painting
Speakers
It has been said that a visit to the Ajanta Caves is one of the ‘great human experiences’. Painted on its walls are frescoes illustrating the Jataka Tales with Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, men, women and naga deities of great sensual beauty, and palaces and gardens and forests that brim with the wonder of nature. The richly illustrated talk will describe this great ancient site and treasure of Indian painting that influenced the art of the entire Buddhist world and continues to inspire and entrance artists, scholars and laypeople. We will share some singular ways of understanding its riot of eventful episodes interspersed with moments of still repose and spiritual calm. Even after two millennia, Ajanta painting throbs with life and visions of material and natural splendor and faith.
Speakers
Suresh Chabria
Prof. Suresh Chabria taught Political Science at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, before joining the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, as Professor of Film Appreciation. He was Director of the National Film Archive of India, during which period he initiated several restorations and programming events showcasing Indian film heritage. He has published several articles on cinema and a book, Light of Asia: Indian Silent Cinema 1912-1934, which is perhaps the most authoritative publication on the subject. Associated with the Film Society movement for more than four decades, Chabria is perhaps best known as a teacher and his short courses and workshops on film appreciation are much sought after. He was on the Advisory Committee of the National Museum of Indian Cinema and the Advisory Board of the Public Service Broadcasting Trust. After retirement, he continues working as a film historian, art scholar and teacher. His other interests are photography and far eastern poetry.
