S04E08: Body(s) Set in Stone

This episode takes a look at Anisha Anantpurkar‘s archival work at the Major Gen. S. L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum. Anisha discusses the gleanings from past studies on human sculptures at various South Indian temples. The discussion focuses on the attempts to document anatomically accurate bodies through ancient and medieval sculptural traditions. We push the envelope to view art as mirroring lived realities of diverse bodies, ailments, body types, etc., represented on temple reliefs in South Asia – all from the rich collection at the museum archives!  

The series, 'Rooh', is the outcome of a Foundation Project within the purview of the Archives and Museums Program of the India Foundation for the Arts in collaboration with the S.L. Bhatia History of Medicine Museum, Library and Archives, Bangalore, to explore the many themes of the History of Medicine. Part funding was also provided by the Parijat Foundation.