The Altar of Time: A History of India's Christian Art
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Latest episodes
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How Roman Catholic Saints Became Goan
June 24, 2023 · 14 minWhether we’re talking about bodhisattvas in Buddhism, Alvars in Vaishnavism, Nayanars in Shaivism, or pirs in Islam, all South Asian religions have their own version of the ideal devotee, worshipped as saints. In densely Catholic places…
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Nirmala Matha, in Konkani
April 29, 2023 · 15 minThe year is 1973, and a young first-year theology student from Goa is assigned room number 65 at the Papal Seminary in Pune. There he sees a mysterious object: a pearl-white statuette of an elegant lady, wearing an Indian crown, standing…
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Nirmala Mata: Indian Nationalism and an Ivory of the Virgin Mary
April 23, 2023 · 13 minThe year is 1973, and a young first-year theology student from Goa is assigned room number 65 at the Papal Seminary in Pune. There he sees a mysterious object: a pearl-white statuette of an elegant lady, wearing an Indian crown, standing…
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Lisbon to Lanka: The Incredible World of Indo-Portuguese Ivories
April 15, 2023 · 13 minFrom Europe to Africa to Sri Lanka, Goan ivories are among the most cosmopolitan art objects of this most cosmopolitan region. They also show us, beyond the often-touching stories and devotions that they inspired in their owners, that art…
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Easter and the Paschal Candlestand
April 8, 2023 · 17 minElaborately carved in wood, enthroning a great candle, the Paschal candlestand is one of the most important objects in the celebration of Easter. From Italy to India and beyond, we trace out its history and intertwining with the…
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The Sorrowful Virgin in Global (and Goan) Catholic Art
April 2, 2023 · 13 minOver the centuries, a large body of music, art and sculpture has explored the sorrow and pain borne by the Virgin Mary, whose son, Jesus Christ, was crucified in front of her eyes. From Flanders to Goa, we trace out the history of…
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Malabar Ivories and Calvary Images
March 25, 2023 · 11 minDelicate ivory figurines of Jesus, carved on the Malabar Coast using materials from Africa, tell a story of globalisation and the Passion of Christ. Join us as we explore Catholic belief and Portuguese trade using the Museum of Christian…
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A Painted Monstrance, A Painted World
March 11, 2023 · 10 minOver the last few episodes of The Altar of Time, we’ve seen richly made textiles, incense boats, and holy water containers, among many other objects. Now we move to perhaps the most recognisable of Catholic art objects: paintings, using a…