Great Tales in Asian Art
Filmed on location in Asia, this 90-minute special tells the beloved stories of India, Indonesia, Korea and Japan, through the masterpieces of visual art and the stirring performances these tales have inspired for centuries. Great Tales In Asian Art is an imaginative and entertaining introduction to the traditions, ideas, and beliefs of these four countries, interpreted in-depth by stimulating personalities. Sumptuous Indian paintings and filmed dramatic performances are skillfully interwoven with Indonesian sculpture and live Javanese shadow play to tell The Ramayana, the epic adventures of Rama, India’s legendary hero. Social satire is blended with bawdy humor and comic dance in the Korean Masked Dance-drama. India’s great erotic poem with mystical overtones, the Gita Govinda is interpreted in sensuous painted images, Indian music, and a beautiful dance performance. Finally, the Tale of Genji is told by a Japanese story-teller in Heian period costume, as colorful paintings from scrolls and screens vividly illustrate Japan’s most famous romantic novel.
Linking certain common threads in Asia’s artistic expression, Great Tales In Asian Art also reveals the unique and highly individual nature of each country’s artistry. This program is an unprecedented cross-cultural journey which promises to enthrall international audiences with luminous colors, sensuous forms, exotic locations, and thought provoking ideas.
Produced for PBS
Produced for PBS