Myth & Memory: Hindu Mythology in Indian Wall Paintings
Hilde Lauwaert
For over a decade, photographer Hilde Lauwaert travelled across Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh in search of India’s extraordinary wall paintings. In this book, she reveals a world of divine storytelling through frescoes across centuries-old temples, palaces, forts, and the havelis of merchant families dating from the eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries.
Through more than 100 mythological themes and characters that bring to life an enduring tradition, this richly illustrated volume explores ancient lore, epics, beliefs, and festivals that continue to shape everyday life. A celebration of spirituality, storytelling, and cultural memory, Myth & Memory is also an appeal to preserve these remarkable but fragile works before they disappear.
Hilde Lauwaert is a Belgian photographer whose work documents India’s endangered wall paintings. Combining photography and cultural heritage, she seeks to preserve these remarkable visual narratives and inspire greater appreciation of India’s rich mural tradition.