Ganges Art Exhibition Cancelled
Vishnu Statues Stolen from Bangladesh Airport Recovered – Smashed
The Bangladeshi government cancelled a French exhibition of 184 artworks from its museums after two sculptures of the Hindu god Vishnu were stolen and later found broken.
In what has become an unfortunate chapter in the diplomatic history of France and Bangladesh, the South Asian nation cancelled an important exhibition of its art after two invaluable statues of the Hindu god Vishnu were stolen before shipment and later found smashed. Masterpieces from the Ganges Delta: Collections of the Bangladesh Museums was to appear at Paris' Musée Guimet from January 9 to March 31, 2008. The art to have been displayed spanned the Maurya period (321-184 B.C.) to the 19th Century A.D. and included Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Islamic works that have never left the country. The objects' exportation met popular and academic protests in Bangladesh.
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Hindu preserver of the universe. He represents goodness and mercy. The god is usually depicted as a dark-skinned man with four arms; they hold a club, conch shell, discus and lotus flower. According to myth, the Ganges River emanates from Vishnu's feet. Usually attired in yellow garments, Vishnu is often shown reclining on a coiled serpent in the cosmic ocean nara (water). He is widely revered by Hindus, attesting to his overwhelming popularity among his worshippers. Repetition of his 1000 names is believed to confer spiritual rewards and benefits. Vishnu is frequently seen with Lakshmi, his companion and the goddess of wealth and good fortune.
The Theft
According to Agence France-Presse, the Musée Guimet had already received a consignment of 42 artworks in 10 boxes. It was then reported on December 22, 2007 that a statue and bust of Vishnu were missing from the last shipment of 142 objects boarding an Air France cargo flight to Paris from Zia International Airport. The remaining 140 works were returned to the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka, the government demanded the immediate return of the objects already in Paris and the exhibition was cancelled on December 25, 2007. Police has since arrested 23 people in connection with the thefts.
Bangladesh feared that the pair of 1500-year-old terracotta sculptures, valued at $65,000.00, could be smuggled into India. So border security was increased to high alert and an intensive week-long search operation ensued.
Recovery and Aftermath
Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported on December 28, 2007 that disclosures by eight detainees helped Bangladesh's Rapid Action Batallion retrieve the two 7th-century A.D. religious relics. The priceless masterpieces were abandoned in a garbage dump on the outskirts of Dhaka and smashed into 13 pieces sometime after their theft became international news.
Bangladesh's termination of its cultural accord with France over the crime strained relations between the two countries. And Dr. Ayub Quadri resigned from his position as Bangladesh's Minister of Culture. Details about the two statues' restoration have not been released.
