The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi historian makes it to National Geographic

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Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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Delhi historian makes it to National Geographic

Kunal Diwan

Benoy K. Behl’s achievements to feature in the renowned magazine’s January 2008 issue

For 15 years the National Geographic team followed my work, says photographer
Has been invited to deliver lectures at 24 major universities in Europe, U.S., Asia

UNDERSTANDING THE MOTHERLAND: Art historian Benoy K. Behl and assistant director Pooja Kaul during one of their travels across India to capture the country’s rich art heritage.

NEW DELHI: Delhi-based art historian Benoy K. Behl, known for his work in documenting the vast art heritage of India, has now accomplished the singular achievement of featuring in the renowned magazine National Geographic in its January 2008 issue.

“For 15 years the National Geographic team followed my work and, earlier this year, their photographer and writer accompanied me and my team in our travels across India. They interviewed me about Indian art and history and realised that ancient Indian art was one of the most sublime in the world,” says Behl.

Known for his prolific output over the past 25 years, Behl has taken over 30,000 photographs of Indian monuments and art heritage and shot over 100 documentaries on art history. Exhibitions of his photographs on the Ajanta caves, various Buddhist sites, the churches of Old Goa and other subjects have been organised in 24 countries around the world.

His exhibitions are on a permanent display at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Jade Buddha temple in Shanghai, Dun Huang Research Institute in Dun Huang, and at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar.

An authority on Buddhist and Indian art history, Behl has been invited to lecture at various universities and museums while his book on the Ajanta caves is studied around the world. He has delivered illustrated lectures on the ‘Art of Ajanta’ and ‘The Murals of India’ at several universities and museums and made major breakthroughs in photographing important and ancient paintings in the dark confines of caves and temples.

“Next year, from April 5 to June 6, I have been invited to deliver lectures at 24 major universities in Europe, the United States and Asia. I am grateful for the warmth and interest with which my work has been greeted,” he says.

Many of his films on “The Paintings of India” and “The Sculpture of India” have been telecast by Doordarshan on a regular basis.

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