He produced over 100 records, 23 films and published more than a dozen books in his lifetime and much of his work was carried out under the auspices of UNESCO.

Sunday Wilson – a producer for the overseas service, commissioned him for six five-minute programmes, which garnered £30.6.0.

The London-based company Argo Records Ltd. that specialized in classical music also advanced £25 and paid for the Gaumont-British machine, and the tapes against future royalties.

Upon his return, the BBC edited the material into two films: Kathakali, the classical dance drama of South India, and Storytellers From Rajastan.

This led to film making in Romania, Tibet, China, Bangladesh, Nepal and many other countries.