Sending rare Bengal treasures to Paris exhibition protested, Legal notice served on RU authorities
Anwar Ali, Rajshahi
A decision of Rajshahi University (RU) to send 24 rare Bengal treasures from Barendra Research Museum (BRM) to Paris for a 'great global exposure' drew criticism from different quarters.
Advocate Ankur Sen served a legal notice on RU authorities yesterday demanding cancellation of the decision within seven days.
Sen pleaded that sending the rare treasures of BRM, one of the oldest research museums in the sub-continent, would hamper research work. It will be an irreparable loss to the nation's heritage if those are lost or not returned, it said.
A group of 326 RU teachers on Sunday submitted a memorandum to RU Vice-chancellor to press the same demand. The precious archeological assets might not be returned they apprehended in the memorandum. The BRM is run by Rajshahi University.
Signatories to the memorandum included senior professors like Muhammad Shafi, Shafikunnabi Samadi, Abdus Sobhan, Mizan Uddin, Dr AHM Zehadul Karim, Moloy Kumer Bhoumik and Fakuzzaman.
The BRM Advisory Committee and the RU Syndicate in February decided to send 24 treasures to Paris following a government decision to help Bangladesh get a 'global exposure through an international display'.
RU VC Prof Altaf Hossain told newsmen earlier that France's famous Guimet Museum, dedicated to Asian arts, will sponsor a four-month exhibition styled 'Sonar Bangla', scheduled from October 24 this year to March 3 next year.
Some 120 objects selected from Bangladesh National Museum, Mahasthangarh, Paharpur and Mainamati Archeological Museums and BRM will be displayed at Guimet Museum, he said.
The BRM assets include two 5th century manuscripts and 22 sculptures dating back to 7th to 12th century. These include a unique gold coated bronze statue of Manjusri, said BRM officials.
The 'Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita' manuscript is a rare collection of texts of Mahayana doctrine in 32 chapters and 8000 lines. It has 49 polychrome miniatures representing 'gods' and 'goddesses' of ancient Vajra family.
The sculptures include 7th, 9th and 11th century Suriya, 10th century Bara Havtara and 12th century black-stone statues of Ganga, Ardha Nariswar (half female and half male god), Shiva, Shiva Ardhanari Nritta Ganapati and Karttiketa.
However, RU Syndicate in October last year denied transferring the treasures following street protests. It reasoned that any transfer or exchange of the treasures, donated by many for public interest, was prohibited by the Charitable Endowments Act of 1880.
Established in 1910 by Dighapatiya Zamindar Kumar Sarat Kumar Roy, the BRM has a rich collection of 10,000 archaeological treasures. It draws an average of 300 visitors daily.
A 7th century sculpture at Barendra Research Museum, one of the 27 rare Bengal treasures, likely to be sent to Paris for exhibition. PHOTO: STAR
A decision of Rajshahi University (RU) to send 24 rare Bengal treasures from Barendra Research Museum (BRM) to Paris for a 'great global exposure' drew criticism from different quarters.
Advocate Ankur Sen served a legal notice on RU authorities yesterday demanding cancellation of the decision within seven days.
Sen pleaded that sending the rare treasures of BRM, one of the oldest research museums in the sub-continent, would hamper research work. It will be an irreparable loss to the nation's heritage if those are lost or not returned, it said.
A group of 326 RU teachers on Sunday submitted a memorandum to RU Vice-chancellor to press the same demand. The precious archeological assets might not be returned they apprehended in the memorandum. The BRM is run by Rajshahi University.
Signatories to the memorandum included senior professors like Muhammad Shafi, Shafikunnabi Samadi, Abdus Sobhan, Mizan Uddin, Dr AHM Zehadul Karim, Moloy Kumer Bhoumik and Fakuzzaman.
The BRM Advisory Committee and the RU Syndicate in February decided to send 24 treasures to Paris following a government decision to help Bangladesh get a 'global exposure through an international display'.
RU VC Prof Altaf Hossain told newsmen earlier that France's famous Guimet Museum, dedicated to Asian arts, will sponsor a four-month exhibition styled 'Sonar Bangla', scheduled from October 24 this year to March 3 next year.
Some 120 objects selected from Bangladesh National Museum, Mahasthangarh, Paharpur and Mainamati Archeological Museums and BRM will be displayed at Guimet Museum, he said.
The BRM assets include two 5th century manuscripts and 22 sculptures dating back to 7th to 12th century. These include a unique gold coated bronze statue of Manjusri, said BRM officials.
The 'Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita' manuscript is a rare collection of texts of Mahayana doctrine in 32 chapters and 8000 lines. It has 49 polychrome miniatures representing 'gods' and 'goddesses' of ancient Vajra family.
The sculptures include 7th, 9th and 11th century Suriya, 10th century Bara Havtara and 12th century black-stone statues of Ganga, Ardha Nariswar (half female and half male god), Shiva, Shiva Ardhanari Nritta Ganapati and Karttiketa.
However, RU Syndicate in October last year denied transferring the treasures following street protests. It reasoned that any transfer or exchange of the treasures, donated by many for public interest, was prohibited by the Charitable Endowments Act of 1880.
Established in 1910 by Dighapatiya Zamindar Kumar Sarat Kumar Roy, the BRM has a rich collection of 10,000 archaeological treasures. It draws an average of 300 visitors daily.
A 7th century sculpture at Barendra Research Museum, one of the 27 rare Bengal treasures, likely to be sent to Paris for exhibition. PHOTO: STAR
I hope the University is getting some money for sending these to Paris. It is quite common these days to send things to another country on exhibit. Even the Louvre is planning to open a branch in Abu dhabi and Mona Lisa will be on display there for some time of the year. Take it easy, folks.
ReplyDeletethank you for leaving your comment. The university is getting no money but global exposure...
ReplyDelete