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| Kathmandu, Wednesday March 05, 2003 Falgun 21, 2059. |
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Welcome return
Artifacts, images and idols reflect how the
society has evolved. They represent culture and religion of their respective era. In
Nepal, Gods and other religious images are respected and worshipped as a symbol of faith.
More than 200 pieces of such artifacts have now found their way to the National Museum.
These pieces stolen from various temples and places of worship in different parts of the
country have been recovered by the police after sincere and praiseworthy investigations.
The idols handed over to the Museum by Police Chief Shyam Bhakta Thapa include the 10th
century traditional drum, precious stone works and beautifully carved images, which depict
the culture and religion from Shivaism to Buddhism—and all that in between as well as
the tantra cult. What could be a better news than the return of these precious idols to a
place where they can be protected ?
But, it will still be a long and strenuous
job for the National Museum to arrange in order and preserve the cultural artifacts and
idols which were almost smuggled out of the country. Apparently, a sizeable quantity of
such idols have been sold abroad in a lucrative but heinous crime that erupted in the
country in the late sixties. Even rare and sacred idols located in the temples were lifted
by the local agents of international syndicate, and it would be safe to say that such a
large scale exodus of our preserved heritage may not have been possible without the help
of certain people in high positions, aiding such a crime. In the past, some ancient idols
have been returned and restored, thanks to the relentless initiatives of the people like
the late Lain Singh Bangdel. But the seizure of more than 200 artifacts by the police
indicates that these idols could not make their way to the international market where
their return would have been much more difficult, if not impossible.
The police administration deserves all praise for the
recovery. But facts like who all are involved in the business, stage of investigation or
trial, and punishment awarded to the smugglers or their agents should also come to the
public notice. This would prove to be a deterrent in such trade in the future as well. It
is also equally necessary that the police department sets up a permanent unit with experts
in the investigation of this kind of crime which has not yet stopped. The disappearance of
idols from Bhimeshwar in Dolakha only last year reminds that the gang is still active. Our
idols have got both archaeological and religious values. Therefore, the departments
concerned should ensure that particular idols be sent back to the place of their origin,
if such a demand has come from the locals. In the absence of such demands, the National
Museum is certainly the right institution to catalogue, preserve and protect them. |
