The Sword and the Flute

The Sword and the Flute 1959 Directed by James Ivory

Visual images consist entirely of Indian miniature paintings, while an off-screen narrator traces the rise of this art form within the courts of Akbar (1542-1605), who united what is now India and Pakistan, and his son Jahangir (1569-1627). Two schools of the miniature paintings, done by anonymous artists, flourished after Akbar established unity and peace across what had been many smaller states: the Moghul (Islamic) school and the Rajput (Hindu) school. The Moghul paintings record the events of the court, while the Rajput school connects physical beauty and, in particular, the longing of women to the transcendent values of the spirit.

Country USA

Production Countries India , USA

Language English

Spoken Language English

Gnere Documentary

Production Company Merchant Ivory Productions

Release Date 1 January 1959

24 mins