The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York will display various Hindu deities in its upcoming exhibition “Lost Kingdoms” from April 14 to July 27.According to reports, it will exhibit sculptures, some as old as early 5th century CE, of Krishnaholding Mt. Govardhana from southern Cambodia, an ascetic Ganesha from central Vietnam, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Surya, Garuda, Rishis, Kalkin, Harihara, Aiyanar, Skanda, Devi, Vishnu Mounted on Garuda, Shiva Linga, Shiva Trident, Shiva’s Footprints, Shiva’s Bull, Brahman Priest, etc.
Applauding Met for organizing Hinduism focused exhibit, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged major art museums of the world, including Musee du Louvreand Musee d’Orsay of Paris, Los Angeles Getty Center, Uffizi Gallery of Florence (Italy), Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern of London, Prado Museum of Madrid, National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, etc., besides Met, to frequently organize Hindu art focused exhibitions, thus sharing the rich Hindu art heritage with the rest of the world.
This ground-breaking exhibition will feature some 160 sculptures and includes rare international loans from Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam; many designated national treasures. It also includes stellar loans from United Kingdom, France and USA. Majority of the works are in stone; with others in terracotta, bronze, stucco, gold, and silver, reports indicate.
Founded in 1870, Met, one of the top art museums of the world, has large collections of ancient art, including Greek, Roman and Near Eastern. The Met’s mission includes art that “collectively represent the broadest spectrum of human achievement”. Thomas P. Campbell is Met’s Director and CEO.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.