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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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The Essay Podcast

The Essay

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

The Essay: A Short History of Indian Art

The Essay: A Short History of Indian Art: Episode 1: The King of Varanasi's Hunting Expedition

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A Short History of Indian Art

Episode 1

Episode 1: The King of Varanasi's Hunting Expedition

The King of Varanasi's Hunting Expedition

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A mural from the Ajanta caves showing the king of Varanasi on a hunting expedition.

William Dalrymple discusses a mural from the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra state in India showing the king of Varanasi on a hunting expedition.

William Dalrymple tells a remarkable history of India through five classic images of Indian art and sculpture. He describes their place within the major artistic movements of India and their role in the unfolding history of one of the world's most diverse cultures.

He begins with a masterpiece of Buddhist art - the cave paintings of Ajanta, now in Maharashtra State and dating from before the 1st Century BC. He explains the history of these dramatic rock-cut caves and the superbly preserved mural art on the walls inside that tell stories from the lives of the Buddha. 'The Ajanta cave paintings are now recognised as the finest picture gallery to survive anywhere from any ancient civilization'. He is particularly taken by paintings showing the King of Varanasi; bow in hand, out on a hunting expedition.


A Short History of Indian Art is a Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 3. The producer is Anthony Denselow.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

William Dalrymple tells a history of India through classic images of art and sculpture

William Dalrymple tells a history of India through art and sculpture. He describes their place within major artistic movements of India and their role in one one of the world's most diverse cultures

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Episode 1: The King of Varanasi's Hunting Expedition

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