Dr. Jyoti Rohilla Rana is a distinguished scholar of Art History and is currently serving as a Professor and Head of the Department of History of Art at Banaras Hindu University. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Delhi College of Art and a Master’s in History of Art from the National Museum Institute, New Delhi. Her doctoral research was on “The Sculptural Art of Amaravati” that has been widely recognized and published. In addition to her academic qualifications, Dr. Rana has knowledge of conservation of paintings and as well as working knowledge of the ancient language Pali. With over 21 years of teaching experience, she has mentored numerous research scholars and has presented her work at various prestigious seminars and institutions, such as the National Museum, Oslo Met University, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Gyan Pravaha, Lumbini Buddhist University, Lumbini, Nepal, etc. Her recent research includes a focus on the Cultural Art Heritage with her latest article, “Pilgrimage Archetype and Cultural Heritage of Jagannath Temple in Varanasi,” published in the reputed international journal Esempi di Architettura, Italy.
Abstract of the lecture
Buddhism in South India- The Amaravati School of Art and its influence on South and South east Asia
Buddhism in South India flourished during the 3rd century BCE under the influence of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Later it flourished to a great extant in Andhra region and Amaravati became the important centre for artistic activities as it was major centre for trade. The Amaravati stupa was one the largest and most decorated stupas of India and it was unique as it saw the evolution of the Buddha image from Aniconic to Iconic representation. The Amaravati School of Art emerged as a significant Buddhist artistic tradition that influenced not only South India but also extended to South and Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Cambodia, where similar artistic elements were adopted. This lecture will highlight the of evolution of Amaravati School of Art and its importance as a major contributor to the artistic traditions in the foreign lands.
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