National Geographic magazine story and interactive map on Benoy K Behl's documentation of ancient Indian art: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2008-01/india-ancient-art/interactive-map.html 

Articles on the history of Indian art by Benoy K Behl

Limca Book Record for having travelled to all corners of India, as well as for taking over 30,000 photographs of Indian monuments and art heritage.

Consultant to Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for the successful UNESCO World Heritage Listing of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.

Authored a major book published by Thames and Hudson, London on THE AJANTA CAVES, comprehensively illustrated with colour plates of my photographs.  The Literary Editor of The Times, London writes, “The Ajanta Caves is one of the most gorgeous and stimulating books of Indian art ever produced.”  The American edition is published by Harry Abrams, New York.

Delivered illustrated lectures on the ‘Art of AJANTA ' and ‘The Murals of India’ at Universities and Museums in USA, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and in India.  Also delivered illustrated talks on ‘History of Indian Painting’, ‘The Compassionate Art of Buddhism’, ‘Ladakh: A Cradle of Buddhist Art’, ‘The Champa Temples of Vietnam’ and ‘The Churches of Old Goa’ at universities, museums and other cultural institutions in various countries.

Structurally repaired and conserved two important Monasteries in Ladakh (circa 11th and 13th centuries), with the support of UNESCO, the Indian Army, leading scientists and the people of Ladakh..

EXHIBITIONS:

AJANTA: THE UNSEEN JEWEL Photographed by Benoy K Behl : A major exhibition of the photographs of the Ajanta paintings created by the National Museum of India. 

*  The National Museum, New Delhi: 21-6-2002 to 4-8-2002, inaugurated by the honourable Minister for Tourism & Culture, Government of India.

*  Lumbini: November–December, 2004, inaugurated by the honourable Prime Minister of Nepal, held as part of the Second International Buddhist Conference.

*  Kathmandu: 5-1-2005 to 19-1-2005, Nepal Art Council.

*  Bhutan: 2004

*  Guwahati: March 2003

*  Shillong: April 2003

AJANTA REDISCOVERED: An exhibition of photographs of the Ajanta paintings

*  Hong Kong: The Fung Ping Shan Museum, 1995, inaugurated by H.E. the Consul General of India

*  Mumbai: Cymroza Art Gallery, March 1993, inaugurated by H.E. the Governor of Maharashtra and Goa

Photographs of Indian and Asian mural paintings are on permanent display in the Paintings Gallery of the National Museum, New Delhi.  

Ajanta photographs are on permanent display in the Media Room of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, South Block, Secretariat, New Delhi.

THE PATH OF COMPASSION, Photographs of Buddhist Monuments and Art Heritage: An exhibition covering 48 major Buddhist sites all over India and other Asian countries. This exhibition has been sent to numerous countries around the world by the Ministry of External Affairs (XP Division), Government of India.  It has also been held independently by institutions in India and other countries.  

*  Kyoto: Otani University, 7-9-2004 to 27-9-2004, inaugurated by the President, Otani University and H.E. the    Ambassador of India.  

*  Kyoto: Ryukoku University, December 2004.  

*  Matsushima: Zuiganji Temple, March 2005

*  Tokyo: Naritasan Temple, 1-4-2005 to 20-4-2005

*  Tokyo: Komazawa University, May 2006

*  Bussho Gonenkai, Japan, 2005

*  Kyushu: Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 2005

            *  Berlin: Embassy of India, 2-4-2008 to 14-4-2008.

*  Bangkok: National Gallery of Thailand, September-October, 2004

*  Bangkok: The Festival of India, 1996  

*  Bangkok: Mahidol University, August 2006.

*  Colombo: National Art Gallery, October 2003, inaugurated by the honourable Minister for Human Resource     Development, Education and Cultural Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka and the honourable Minister of External Affairs, Government of India.

*  Mandalay: Maharmuni Pagoda, 23-1-2005 to 15-3-2005, inaugurated by H.E. the Ambassador of India.

*  Shanghai: Jade Buddha Temple, on permanent display from January 2006.

*  Dun Huang Research Academy: On permanent display from 31st May, 2006, inaugurated by Honourable Defence Minister, Government of India. 

*  Beijing: December 2004.

*  Beijing: 26-1-2005, Embassy of India, as part of the celebrations of the Republic Day of India.

*  Ulan Bator: On permanent display from 2004.

*  The Government has also held this exhibition at Washington DC, Paris, and Phnom Penh.

*  Moscow: 27-1-2004 to 9-2-2004, Oriental Center of Russia, State Library.

*  Travelling exhibition in Yugoslavia, 2004

*  Taj Mahal, Agra: 19-11-2002 to 15-1-2003, held by the Archaeological Survey of India.  

*  Spiti: Tabo Monastery, on permanent display from March, 2005.

*  New Delhi: Hotel Ashok, 31-1-2003 to 28-2-2003, inaugurated by the honourable Minister for Tourism & Culture, Government of India.

*  The National Museum, New Delhi: February-March, 2004, inaugurated by the honourable Minister for Tourism & Culture, Government of India.

*  Varanasi: Buddha Mahotsav, 2000.  

*  Kuala Lumpur: Buddhist Maha Vihara, 7-5-2005 to 22-5-2005, inaugurated by honourable Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Government of Malaysia.

*  Vientiane:  April 2006, National Cultural Hall, Laos.

*  Mithila Museum, Niigata will be holding the exhibition in every part of Japan at over 100 locations from 2005-2006 onwards.

*  Seol: October 2006.  Is scheduled to also be held in many parts of South Korea for a period of one year, up to October 2007.     

VELHA GOA, an exhibition of photographs of the churches of Old Goa.  This exhibition has been sent to numerous countries around the world by the Ministry of External Affairs (XP Division), Government of India.  It has also been held independently by institutions in India and other countries.  

* Copenhagen: Asia House, 28-1-2005 to 2-2-2005, inaugurated by the Bishop of Copenhagen.

* Rome: Cineporto, “Roman Summer”, Festival of the City of Rome, 10-7-2004 to 18-7-2004, inaugurated by H.E. the Ambassador of India.

* Arequipa: University of Arequipa, December 2004

* Agra: The Taj Mahal, 17-4-2003 to 16-5-2003, held by Archaeological Survey of India, inaugurated by Bishop of Agra and Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of Portugal

* Delhi: Embassy of Portugal, November-December 2003, inaugurated by H.E. the Ambassador of Portugal.

* Kolkata: West Bengal Cultural Centre, 26-8-2003 to 9-9-2003, inaugurated by H.E. the Ambassador of Portugal.

* Goa: Mariott Resort, June 2003, inaugurated by H.E. the Ambassador of Portugal.

* Dublin: 11-4-2005 to 23-4-2005

*  Berlin: Potsdam, April, 2005

* Lima: March, 2005

* Ica: March 2005

* Paris: Chapelle, Missions Etrangeres de Paris, 11-03-2005 to 19-05-2005.

* Lisbon: June, 2005, inauguration by the honourable Foreign Minister, Government of Portugal.

* Sacramento: University of Sacramento, California, April to December, 2005 

*  Washington DC: Embassy of India, May 2008.

 * Salvodor: National Palace, Brazil, 5-10-2005 to 31-10-2005.

* Panama, 2005

* Bogota, Colombia, 2005

* Havana: Cuba, September 2005

LADAKH: A CRADLE OF BUDDHIST CULTURE: An exhibition of photographs of the monasteries of Ladakh, Photographed by Benoy K Behl. 

*  New Delhi: Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, 1997, along with a Seminar on the Monasteries of Ladakh where the keynote paper and a Proposed Action Plan for the Conservation of the Monasteries of Ladakh were also presented. 

*  New Delhi: India Habitat Centre, 1998, inaugurated by the honourable Minister for Defence, Government of India.  

MURALS OF INDIA: An exhibition of photographs of the scarcely-seen early wall paintings of India. 

INDIA: A CONFLUENCE OF CULTURE:  An exhibition of photographs of the multi-cultural heritage of India, photographed by Benoy K Behl.  To be held by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India at 11 cities, including the following:  

*  London: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  Paris: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  Tokyo: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  New York: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  New Delhi: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  Mumbai: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  Chennai: 27-09-2005 onwards

*  Brussels: The European Parliament, 16th to 21st October, 2006.

*  Frankfurt: Frankfurt Book Fair, 2006.  

THE LEGACY OF AJANTA: The classic murals of India and other countries of South Asia, photographed by Benoy K Behl. An exhibition held by IGNCA 

*        New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, 25-11-2005 to 10-12-2005.

THE PATH TO NIRVANA: Photographic exhibition to commemorate the 2550th anniversary of the Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha, held by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India.  (Two-thirds of the exhibition is my photographs). 

*  New Delhi: Vigyan Bhawan, 13-05-2006, inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Honourable Prime Minister of India.

FILM-MAKING:  Produced and directed acclaimed documentary films on subjects of Indian art and culture. These include:

"THE PAINTINGS OF INDIA" a series of 26 documentaries made for DOORDARSHAN, on the tradition of painting in India, from pre-historic times till the present day.  This series addresses the entire subject for the first time and includes filming of ancient painted caves and temples and in museums across the world.
Many sites of mural paintings have been photographed and documented for the first time in this project, all over India and also in other countries of Asia.  Over 2,500 selected masterpieces of miniature paintings have also been archived for the first time.  The Limca Book of Records has listed this shooting schedule as the most extensive shooting which has ever been carried out. The series is the first documentary series to be telecast on Sunday morning primetime on the National Channel of Doordarshan. The DOORDARSHAN: PRASAR BHARATI (Broadcasting Corporation of India) calendar for 2003 was on the theme of the series THE PAINTINGS OF INDIA. 

"IMMORTAL VISIONS"  a series of documentaries made for DOORDARSHAN, on the World Heritage Monuments of India made for television, as part of the celebration of 50 years of India’s Independence

PHOTOGRAPHY & DOCUMENTATION:

List of subjects photographed   

Pioneering photography of the previously-unphotographed 10th century Chola and 17th century Nayaka paintings in the narrow and dark confines of the inner ambulatory of the BRHADISVARA temple at Thanjavur, on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts.  Also made archaeological discoveries of numerous sculptural figures while carrying out this assignment.

Pioneering photography of remote but important sites of mural painting in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia and Myanmar.

Carried out first-ever photography of the mural paintings in the early monasteries of Bhutan.

Comprehensive photo-documentation of KOODIYATTAM, the ancient Sanskrit classical dance-drama and oldest performing art of India, on behalf of PARISAR, Government of India.

Detailed photo-documentation of the ancient CHAM TEMPLES and sculptures all over VIETNAM, as well as the small Cham community who still survive in that country, for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Government of India. These monuments and culture are what is left of the Champa kingdom that ruled most of Central and South Vietnam from the 2nd to the 16th centuries.

Carried out documentation of the sites associated with the LIFE OF THE BUDDHA and the development of Buddhism, in India and other Asian countries.  An exhibition of the photographs entitled THE PATH OF COMPASSION has been held in many cities around the world.  .

Detailed documentation and study of the paintings of the BUDDHIST MONASTERIES OF LADAKH , SPITI AND KINNAUR in the Indian Himalayas.  These are a very important link between the previous Buddhist art of India and the later art to follow in other Asian countries.  This work has been presented in illustrated lectures held by the India International Centre, New Delhi; The India Habitat Centre, New Delhi; The Japan Foundation, New Delhi; The National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai; The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai; the Department of Fine Arts of the University of Hong Kong; and the Mahidol University, Thailand.


Images of selected masterpieces of Ajanta paintings have been digitally restored. This has been carried out with extreme care and intimate knowledge of the paintings. Graffiti has been removed and faded color restored. The work has been done in a minimal manner with due ethics and care.

Research and documentation of the ancient Buddhist monasteries in the State of Arunachal Pradesh and drawn up a report for their proposed conservation as an Advisor to the State Government.

Special workshops in ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY on behalf of the Government of India, for the students of premier educational institutions, including the National Institute of Design, the M.S. University Baroda, the School of Architecture and others.

CD-ROM on BUDDHIST SITES & ART HERITAGE produced for the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Government of India.

Prepared reports for the Departments of the Government of India on subjects related to HERITAGE CONSERVATION and presented papers at International and National Conferences on Conservation and on DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY.

Made major breakthroughs in the photography of important and ancient paintings which are in the dark confines of caves and temples in India and were previously not photographed with accuracy.  This has been done with the development of a technique of photographing accurately in conditions of extremely low light.  In fact, it has been noted by eminent experts world-wide that this technique has captured the colours and details much more vividly that conventional photography with the use of strong lights.

 In the words of the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India “I have a feeling of pride on your successful achievement.  You have really conquered the darkness.”

 Dr. Sadashiv V. Gorakshkar, Director, Prince of Wales Museum of Western India,. Bombay says about these Ajanta photographs that they “reveal a lot more than met the eye.  There is no doubt that his work will compel a re-evaluation of the art and style of Ajanta paintings.”

 Dr. Milo C. Beach, Director, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery & Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA states “You have provided the most thorough and the best documentation of Ajanta that I have ever seen, and I hope it will inspire new study of the wall-paintings at the site.”  

• DATE OF BIRTH : 10th September, 1956.
• ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS : Indian School Certificate Examination, 1972. Mount St. Mary's School. Delhi Cantt.
• B.A. (Honours in English), 1976, St. Stephen's College, Delhi University.
• Diploma, Integrated Course in Cinema, The Film & Television Institute of India, Pune, 1981.
• Senior Fellow of the Department of Culture, Government of India (1994-97).
• Member Advisory Board, National Academy of Art (Lalit Kala Akademi, 1997-99).
• Member of National Committee on Eco-Tourism and Mountains, Government of India.
• Consultant to Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for the successful UNESCO World Heritage Listing of the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.
• Member, Heritage Committee, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Press Writeups

• Benoy Behl and the Ecstasy of Aesthetics - Hindustan Times, August 10, 2001
• On a mission for Indian art - Mumbai Midday, September 24, 2001
• Bridging the Art Divide - India Today, March 18, 2002
• Travelling Around to Preserve Cultural Heritage - The Times of India, October 2, 2001
• Different colours, different strokes - The Hindu, Delhi, May 3, 2001
• Camera sheds light on dark inner sanctum - Hongkong Standard, February 19, 1995
• Revolution in night photography - Indian Express, New Delhi, September 29, 1991
• PM's pat for photo feat - The Hindustan Times, March 6 1992
• History in the times of war
• Divine search for forgotten monasteries

Fuzzy spelling: Binoy K Behl / Benoy K Bahl / Benoy Behl / Binoy Behl