VIVACITY | Saturday, January 23, 2010 | Email | Print | 
Khajuraho revisited
Team Viva
When I first heard that noted historian Benoy K Behl, known for his tireless work is coming up with a new photographic exhibition Khajuraho — the grandest temple city at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, I couldn’t resist from not being there and see his works. As I reach the venue, I’m taken aback by the large frames that are holding beautiful apsaras and finely made deities on the temple walls. Detailed captions below it give meaning to the particular work.
As I walk around, I notice Benoy is standing next to one of the paintings. I approach him to know more more about the exhibition. “It’s the first of its kind exhibition where one can witness the detailed and close-up photographs of the art of the Khajuraho Temples,” he tells proudly. I compliment on his work and ask about the reason behind choosing this subject. “The temples of Khajuraho,” he explains, “form a strikingly homogenous group and were made within a relatively short period. The concerted effort of making so many grand temples in one place speaks of the dynasty’s desire to create a great place of worship & learning. The massive platforms on which these temples are built are ornately carved with depictions of the life of the times,” he reasons.
He now takes me to give a close accounts of some of his works. Passing by his works, an interesting (artistic as well) picture of men carrying a stone catches my attention. Sensing my reaction, he explains that it immortalises the anonymous workers who built the temples. There is an exuberance of details in these panels which speaks of the vitality and prosperity of the times. Great armies, musicians and hunters march in an endless procession around the entire base of these temples. These moments frozen in stone are also valuable as they are the only record of society then.
There is a profusion of depictions of women in every possible posture on the walls of the temples. “As in ancient stupa railings and in later art, these women portray the rich abundance of nature and the joy of life. It is a celebration of the feminine principle,” concludes the lensman.
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