Journey Through Time: India's Spiritual Art Unveiled at British Museum

The British Museum presents "Ancient India: Living Traditions," a compelling exhibition illustrating the transformation of spiritual expression in India across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Featuring sculptures, paintings, and artifacts spanning 2,000 years, the exhibition invites visitors to experience a rich cultural narrative and the multi-sensory ambiance of ancient shrines.

A captivating new exhibition titled "Ancient India: Living Traditions" has opened its doors at the British Museum in London, offering an insightful glimpse into the evolution of India's spiritual art over the centuries. Curated to feature 189 incredible objects, it spans a vast timeline, showcasing everything from ancient sculptures and paintings to detailed manuscripts that trace the progression of sacred artistic expression in India.

The transformation of artistic representations from around 200 BC to AD 600 marked a significant period in the Indian subcontinent's religious landscape. Artistic imagery depicting deities, enlightened beings, and divine figures underwent a shift from symbolic interpretations to forms that resonated more closely with human likenesses. Throughout this era, three major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism—shared a common cultural heritage while each negotiated their transformation in religious iconography.

According to Sushma Jansari, the exhibition's curator, "Today we can't imagine the veneration of Hindu, Jain, or Buddhist divine spirits or deities without a human form, can we? Which is what makes this transition so interesting." The exhibition's layout is divided into five sections, documenting the journey from nature spirits to the distinct influences of each religion and ultimately their artistic ramifications on regions beyond India—like Cambodia and China.

One of the remarkable artifacts on display is a two-sided sandstone panel that vividly illustrates the evolution of the Buddha's representation. One side, dating back to AD250, depicts the Buddha in human form, while the other side, from around 50-1 BC, symbolically portrays him through a tree and an empty throne, encapsulating an extraordinary moment in artistic representation history.

The Hindu section features a bronze statue that marks the gradual evolution of sacred visual art through depictions of goddesses, fusing aspects of nature spirits with iconography that became standard for Hindu deities. Jain religious art, on the other hand, highlights the 24 tirthankaras—enlightened teachers—recognized in intricate details, including their sacred symbols.

What sets this exhibition apart is its unique treatment of all three religious traditions collectively, rather than in isolation. It emphasizes the craftsmanship originating from common workshops in ancient Mathura, explaining the visible similarities in artistic style across religions.

An innovative multi-sensory experience, the exhibition immerses visitors with scents, vibrant colors, and sounds that evoke the spiritual ambiance of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rituals. Short films featuring contemporary worshipers further bridge the ancient and the modern, illustrating that this art form remains alive and relevant for millions today.

"Ancient India: Living Traditions" is running at the British Museum from May 22 to October 19, drawing from a rich South Asian collection and featuring loans from several museums and libraries around the world, making it an unmissable event for art lovers and spiritual seekers alike.