A dark stone carving of the elephant-headed god Ganesha seated cross-legged on a throne.

Event information

Various dates

18.00–19.00
See scheduled dates

Room 30

The Sainsbury Exhibitions Gallery

Price

  • £5

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Join Rosie Fuller for an audio-described tour of the Ancient India: living traditions exhibition.

This tour is a specially designed experience that provides detailed verbal descriptions of visual elements of the exhibition to blind and neurodivergent audiences, though is open to all.

Where does the image of the beloved and playful Hindu god Ganesha, with his elephant head and rounded belly, originate? What inspired depictions of the serene Buddha and Jain enlightened teachers?

Reaching back more than 2,000 years, this new exhibition explores the origins of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist sacred art in the ancient and powerful nature spirits of India, and the spread of this art beyond the subcontinent.

One of the first major exhibitions in the world to look at the early devotional art of India from a multi-faith, contemporary and global perspective, it will highlight the inspiration behind now-familiar depictions of the deities and enlightened teachers of these world religions – and how they were shared across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and along the Silk Roads to East Asia.

This event is part of the public programme supporting Ancient India: living traditions (22 May – 19 October 2025).

Booking information

  • Book now to reserve your place.
  • Please meet at the Montague Place entrance at 18.00. View the Museum map for more information.
  • Carers and Disabled people's companions do not need to book a ticket.
  • Assistance dogs are very welcome in the Museum.
  • If you have any access requirements or need assistance booking this event please email [email protected] or phone +44 (0)20 7323 8971.

About the guide

Rosie Fuller is a former field archaeologist who has moved indoors. She now finds ways to enliven gallery spaces and engage people with museum collections. She often works with archaeology, anthropology and social history collections as well as decorative arts and design collections. As a freelancer, Rosie delivers workshops and tours which often include object-handling; making; dressing-up and/or electronic gadgetry and always incorporates lots of looking, discussing and doing. She regularly delivers school sessions at the V&A and the British Museum.