In this episode, we’re joined by renowned art historian T.K. Sabapathy to delve into the ancient roots of Nusantara art. Taking us back to the pre-modern era, T.K. explains how archaeologists and philologists, rather than art historians, were the first to apply the term “art” to Southeast Asia’s heritage, as they encountered works framed within Hindu-Buddhist cosmologies. Through two key examples of early Hindu-Buddhist art of Prambanan and Borobudur temples in Java, T.K. illuminates the symbolic depth and historical significance embedded in these ancient art forms, offering us a rare look into the foundational layers of art in the Nusantara region. Join us for this enlightening exploration of Southeast Asia’s rich artistic legacy.