E-Paper
Gupta era idols to be displayed at Paris exhibition in March
TWO IDOLS, preserved at Allahabad Museum, will be displayed in an exhibition based on Gupta Art at the Grand Palasis in Paris in March 2007. The idols and objects of Indian origin have been invited from 20 institutions of India. The idols of Mahishasur Mardini and Dikpal have been selected for the display. According to Dr Sriranjan Shukla, assistant keeper Allahabad Museum, both the statues in reddish stone belong to Gupta period and they were excavated from Bhumara in Satna.
TWO IDOLS, preserved at Allahabad Museum, will be displayed in an exhibition based on Gupta Art at the Grand Palasis in Paris in March 2007. The idols and objects of Indian origin have been invited from 20 institutions of India.
The idols of Mahishasur Mardini and Dikpal have been selected for the display.
According to Dr Sriranjan Shukla, assistant keeper Allahabad Museum, both the statues in reddish stone belong to Gupta period and they were excavated from Bhumara in Satna.
“The striking feature of Mahishasur Mardini idol is that the goddess is not shown as sitting on a lion. This clearly indicates that till Gupta period, lion was not shown as her carrier, rather she is shown involved in an encounter with the demon in disguise of a buffalo. The idol of Dikpal symbolises him as the protector of South direction.
He is also known as Yam and it is a rare statue since it is not found easily,” he added.
The idols would also be insured for Rs 50 lakh each and the proposal for which had been approved by the National Museum. There was a lot of risk involved during the transportation of such items, added Dr Shukla. The entire event is being coordinated by National Museum, New Delhi.
A photography team from Delhi visited the Allahabad Museum on Tuesday to take the photographs for the curate catalogue. “The curate catalogue of this exhibition will be prepared by Munish Chandra Joshi, ex-Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),” said Dr Shukla.
The exhibition has been organised jointly by Tourism and Cultural Ministry under the Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme.
