The British Museum in London has unveiled Ancient India: Living Traditions, a captivating exhibition presenting 189 historic artworks spanning from 200 BC to AD 600. Highlighting the evolution of sacred imagery in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, the exhibit traces the transformation from symbolic representation to human-form deities, revealing the deep roots shared by these traditions.
A standout piece is the two-sided sandstone panel from Amaravati, which juxtaposes the symbolic Buddha (50 BC) with his later human depiction (AD 250). Central artworks across the three religions—like Yakshi bronzes and Jain Tirthankara carvings—demonstrate both cultural continuity and artistic innovation, often crafted in shared workshops in Mathura.
Curator Sushma Jansari emphasizes the exhibition’s modern resonance, noting it’s the first to explore all three traditions together, and offering a multi-sensory shrine experience enhanced with natural scents, drapes, and soundscapes. It’s a thoughtful journey where ancient artifacts meet living traditions, reminding audiences that these artworks remain spiritually vibrant millennia later.
