Assam govt sets time line for exhibition of Brindabani Bastra in Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday directed the Cultural Affairs Department in a meeting held at Brahmaputra State Guest House to take all-out measures to hold the exhibition of the Brindabani Bastra housed in different Museums of the world in the month of October 2017.

This unique piece of textile that stands as a catalyst to the Vaishnavite traditions in the State, will remain on display for three months from October to December, 2017 and for this purpose the Government will set up a special state-of-the-art Exhibition Hall at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra fulfilling all requirements needed for proper conservation of the Bastra.

The Brindabani Bastra is presently in possession of British Museum and Victoria Albert Museum in London, Guimet Museum in Paris, New Ark Museum in New Jersey, Museum of Venice and Calico Museum of Textile in Ahmedabad.

This divine cloth housed in the British Museum is the largest in size. The Guimet Museum has two Bastras in its possession.

They are made of pure silk with double layered weaving. All these pieces reflect the textile skill of different ages.

Adding that the Brindabani Bastra is a piece of cloth with divine touch which highlights the skill of Assamese weavers and showcases Sankardev’s hardowrk and artistic temperament, Sonowal asked the Cultural Affairs Department to coordinate with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi under Ministry of Culture, Government of India for bringing the Bastra to Assam for display and also to make necessary provision of fund in the ensuing State Budget for the same.

Earlier in the meeting, MLA from Sarbhog LAC Ranjeet Dass informed about the verbal confirmation received from the museums in London and Paris during his recent visits to the nations for lending the Brindabani Bastra for exhibition in the State.

Sonowal lauded the role played by Dass and asked the Cultural Affairs Department to proactively act on holding the Exhibition adding that the Brindavani Bastra has spiritual attachment for the people of Assam and its display will fulfil a long pending demand of the people of the State.

Meanwhile, the Assam CM has also directed the Cultural Affairs Department to take immediate steps for revamping the State Museum located at Ambari in the city.

Sonowal also underlined the need for drawing up a roadmap for making Dighalipukhuri front as a prime tourist location.

Sonowal further asked the Cultural Affairs Department to prepare a Master Plan outlining symmetrical design covering all the buildings from District Library to Ravindra Bhavan and develop the same as a Heritage Zone.

The Assam CM also directed to install ornamental lights on the periphery of Dighaliphukhuri to boost up its tourism potential.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)