For More Information:

Julie Coan
(713) 743–8460
jcoan@houstonpbs.org

For Immediate Release

The Story of India airs Mondays, January 5-19, 2009 on

HoustonPBS/Channel 8
Historian Michael Wood takes a dazzling journey through modern India to uncover its history
and future in this six-part series from PBS.

Houston, TX (December 19, 2008)-- Michael Wood’s fascinating journey through the
history of the Indian subcontinent, the first history of India on western television,
chronicles the incredible richness and diversity of its peoples, cultures and
landscapes; outlines the originality and continuing relevance of its ideas; and relates
some of the most momentous and moving events in world history. This six part series
airs Mondays, January 5-19, 2009 from 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. on
HoustonPBS/Channel 8.

The world’s largest democracy and a rising economic giant, India is now as well known
in the U.S. for its mastery of computer technology and its business and industrial
strength as it is for its many-armed gods and its spiritual traditions. But India is also
the world’s most ancient surviving civilization, with unbroken continuity stretching
back into prehistory.

Like other great civilizations, India has renewed itself several times, enjoying several
brilliant golden ages in art and culture. Its great thinkers and religious leaders have
permanently changed the face of the globe. Now, in the era of globalization, India is
once again becoming a leading player in the world and an increasingly important
strategic partner and friend of the U.S. Home to more than a billion people, it is a
land of amazing contrasts: It contains both the high-tech brilliance of Bangalore’s
Silicon Valley and the archaic splendor of the Kumbh Mela festival, where 25 million
pilgrims bathe in the sacred river Ganges on a single night. While moving at high
speed into the modern world, India is still in touch with her ancient past.

India’s history is filled with fascinating figures and amazing tales, including successive
invasions from Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Tamburlaine, the Moghuls and the
British. India has also been famous for its spiritual traditions, giving birth to four
world religions and accepting many others. The subcontinent is home to great artistic
traditions and an extraordinary spectrum of music, dance and literature, along with
great leaders who have changed the face of the globe. India ushered in many aspects
of modern science, including the decimal system and absolute zero, and gave rise to
some of the most remarkable individuals in world history, including the Buddha,
Mauryan emperor Ashoka, Moghul emperor Akbar the Great and political leaders
Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.

Wood embarks on a compelling journey through India, “seeking in the present for
clues to her past, and in the past for clues to her future.” The deep-rooted
equilibrium of India’s past has always shaped and sustained it, but do the teachings of
the Buddha, Ashoka, Akbar, Gandhi and others still inform both India and the modern
world? The answer to that question may predict not only India’s future, but the future
of the world it occupies.

■ THE STORY OF INDIA companion Web site (pbs.org) will highlight the
documentary’s photography and provide a wealth of information about India’s history,
culture, arts, sciences and historic figures. The site will include a timeline and video
excerpts from the film. Visitors will be able to contribute their own stories about
India and to ask Michael Wood questions about his work and experiences. A teacher’s
guide will help foster discussion of historical and cultural issues in Indian history.

For more information visit www.houstonpbs.org.

About HoustonPBS

HoustonPBS/Channel 8 serves to empower, engage and enrich the lives of the people
of Southeast Texas. HoustonPBS provides content and services that advance civic
engagement, create an environment for learning and encourage the exchange of
diverse perspectives. Millions of people tune in each month to watch quality programs
about culture, arts, science, news, national and world affairs as well as award-
winning children's programming.

HoustonPBS/KUHT-TV is a service of the University of Houston supported through

the Association for Community Broadcasting

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Julie Coan
Director of Communications & External Relations
HoustonPBS
LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting
4343 Elgin
Houston, TX 77204
wk 713-743-8460
fax 713-743-8860

HoustonPBS serves to empower, engage and enrich the lives of the people of
Southeast Texas. Channel 8, the nation’s first educational television station,
reaches millions of viewers with quality programs about culture, arts, science,
news, national/world affairs, and outstanding children's programming.
HoustonPBS initiates community outreach programs and special events on topics
ranging from foreign policy to health and education. Support comes primarily
through the generous contributions of viewers with additional money from grants,
special events and the local business community.