Exhibition - Dhokra: A Traditional Craft of India

Birth and Early Stage of Buddha's Life

Siddhartha, better known as Gautama, the Buddha, was also called Sakyasimha, the Lion of the Sakyas’ and Sakyamuni, ‘the Sage of the Sakyas’ as he was born in the Kshatriya clan of the Sakyas, of which his father Suddhodana was the chief.  

Buddha In Meditation

The Buddha is seated in the attitude of meditation. There is a prominent urnaon his forehead and a large nimbus behind. The raised hairline is prominent and the wavy hair is swept back over theushnisha. The loose garment covers both his shoulders. The pedestal contains the scene of the worship of the bowl. The image in every respect is a typical example of the Gandharan idiom.

The Life of Buddha in Indian Art

The Indian Museum, Kolkata organised an exquisite exhibition titled Indian Buddhist Art, showcasing masterpieces of Buddhist Art from different parts of Indian sub-continent. The exhibition travelled to Shanghai Museum, China,  Tokyo National Museum, Japan,   Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore and National Museum, New Delhi.  After its great success, the exhibition returned back to Indian Museum, Kolkata. In the Indian Museum, Kolkata , the exhibition opened to the public on 2nd February 2016 and continued till 31st May, 2016. Buddhism originated in the Indian sub-continent and flourished to neighbouring regions- South and South-East Asia.  The objects showcased in the exhibition illustrates the inspiring life story of the Buddha.