|

 

|
  PULSES OF INDIA

Dr. Gautam Chatterjee  

 
 
 



 

 

 
Home > Indian Culture Heritage >

RARE PAINTINGS HAVE NO PLACE TO BREATH!

by Dr. Gautam Chatterjee

ASIATIC SOCIETY OF INDIA

Way back in 1784 Asiatic Society made history as it was a forum of ‘new awakening and neo thinking’.  Interestingly Asiatic Society was the mother of Indian Museum! Since then the organisation grew to become an heritage institutions with its rare collections. But today this institution has become a victim of ‘politicking’and resultant fund crunch! With its closed door policies heritage was not even made public and scholars are groping in dark! In a recent ‘facilitated’ rare and exclusive visit, I have come across the massive holdings and monumental neglect of rare paintings which are lying on the floor and gathering dust ! Prof. Sarkar, General Secretary of the Society explained that ‘Society has no space to keep it, but we are interested to create a Musuem of those rare 48 paintings’.

Interestingly the heritage holdings of Asiatic Society remained ‘Unsung’ by the Government of India during its much publicised ‘Celebration’ of Indian culture, ethos and heritage. Prof Sarkar explained ‘Government calender of celebration never mentioned Asiatic Society in the ‘Yugpad’. Moreover, as ‘Golden Jubilee’ gift the fund allocation for the society was slashed to half!

Except a chosen few, Government is perhaps not aware of its holdings. During the visit I was told that there are 48000 rare ancient manuscripts which are kept in vault. Research and upkeeping is an ongoing process. The earliest Mss. I could see was the Kubjikamata Tantra of 7th Century old. There are many Buddhist Manuscripts and two tankha. Some are too brittle to be touched. Prof. Kajol Sen, Incharge of Mss. and rare books explained that those Mss.are being microfilmed and would be ready for scholars access. One can see very rare Asokan Edic of 250 B.C. written in blingual fashion .The script is Brahmi and languages are Prakrit and Sanskrit. The edict explains the ‘Dharma’ of Lord Buddha’s philosophy. Some of those rare collections are kept in five ‘make-shift’show- cases and they call it a ‘Museum’. Well there are more than one lakh rare books available in Asiatic Society and the oldest is a Book a Venice Publication of 1497 A.D.

Amidst rare holdings, I came across rare original paintings of 19th century which if valued commercially would fetch several million dollars. All those are kept on the ‘floor’ for lack of Space. Those rare paintings are of Robert Home, Daniell, Lemekalli, Raynolds etc.

‘Two Daneills’ by Home; ‘Cupid’ by Sir J. Reynolds,the paintings of youthful William Jones would really amaze even art historians. Dr. S. Sengupta the Art Historian (Author of pioneering book ‘Highlights and Halftones: The Raj View of Indian Arts’) on seeing these rare photographs said "This is really rare original collection and heritage we inhereted need to be studied by all and be preserved in a scientific manner for posterity". Yes, if those paintings are not kept well then we would end up spending millions of dollars for repairing those rare works as happened in Victora Memorial.

However, it is gathered that Asiatic Society is going to bring out an album on this subject and Museum is still a distant dream as ‘space’ is the wanting factor. Prof. Kajol Sen said that ‘We need Corporate help to upkeep our vast heritage and show it to the world as well through an exclusive Museum.’

These paintings are of immense value aesthetically and Historically. If you see the paintings of Radhakanta Deb drawn by F.R. Say in a standing posture with white clothes with one hand placed atop of an open book kept over a table with pinkish table cover and the other hand he is holding his traditional shawl. This painting would enthuse the interplay of colour temperatures and historical value as well. Dr. Ranjit Sen of Calcutta University explained ‘Radha Kanta represented the paradoxes of 19th Century as he stood for most powerful Hindu orthodoxy of the country as well as he projected the most sensitive impulses originating from western nationalism and liberalism that eventually mainfested in his personage of education and culture so this photograph highlights the anthetical balance of History--its a rare collection indeed.’ 

‘Cleopatra’ by Guicle would remind you of renaissance days of European paintings. The gesture of looking at sky with bare body is a marvellous play of light and shade. The celestial Cupid fast asleep within the cloudy horizon not only expresses sublimity but the aesthetics of the subject as well. Then once you see the Daniell’s Ghat of Benaras would mesmerise the onlooker. The shades of brown played in harmonized fashion with silhouette of Mandir and houses with stairs going down the Ganga would nurture your inner mind for a rare aesthetic pleasure. The Pelican by Holmes is not only for nature lovers but an aesthetic lesson for students of arts world-over.

But nobody would be able to see those rare original works if those are stored on the floors for some more years. If the heritage of Asiatic Society to be kept alive then ‘Space’, ’Fund’ and ‘Will’ are mandatory. It may be noted that there is no dearth of talents in Asiatic Society to upkeep those rare collections, as I have personally seen well managed manuscript kept in the vaults and high-standard ‘document reparing’ work which in many way equates the standard of National Archives of India. Thus expertise is within the reach barring Space and Fund management!

Prof Sarkar said ‘We are planning to have a permanent Museum of those paintings but the space and fund remains the buffer... we expect Corporate participation as well to preserve our ‘Heritage Collection’. Well! This can be a subject of Millennium Celebration for the Corporate World! Is there any taker?


If the heritage of Asiatic Society to be kept alive then ‘Space’, ’Fund’ and ‘Will’ are mandatory. It may be noted that there is no dearth of talents in Asiatic Society to upkeep those rare collections, as I have personally seen well managed manuscript kept in the vaults and high-standard ‘document reparing’ work which in many way equates the standard of National Archives of India. Thus expertise is within the reach barring Space and Fund management!

 

 
Copyright © Dr Gautam Chatterjee