Kolkata: Indian Museum to showcase evolution of Goddess Durga – Times of India

Kolkata News

KOLKATA: Ahead of Durga Puja, Indian Museum is all set to celebrate the evolution of Durga from a divine mother to warrior goddess through a specially curated month-long exhibition showcasing 31 exhibits from Pregnant Lady of 3rd Century BC (Mohenjo Daro) to Ganesh Janani of 20th Century Kalighat Pat.
“Raised above religious and linguistic barriers, the Durga Puja is observed as the ‘universal carnival of humanity. Over the years, Kolkata has emerged as the geographical and cultural heart of the national and global celebration of the festival that signifies ‘homecoming’ or a seasonal return to one’s roots. The exhibition captures the spirit of the festival from antiquity to the present, the imagery and iconography of the divine deity that has proliferated throughout South Asia and beyond,” said Indian Museum director Arijit Dutta Choudhury.
The exhibits include a gold coin of Chandragupta of the Gupta Dynasty (4th Century CE) depicting Simhavahini, Mother and Child of 3rd Century BC (Mohenjo-Daro), Saptamatrika Panel, 10th Century CE, Varanasi, Annapurna seated on a throne, offering alms to lord Shiva C. 20th Century Watercolour on Paper Kalighat School, Mahisasuramardini Durga flanked by Kartika, Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati C. 20th Century CE Chromolithograph of Calcutta Art Studio, Sila Devi (Mahisasuramardini) 19th Century CE, Marble, Jaipur.
The image of the Durga has also inspired generations of artists to depict the mother goddess through their understanding of the epic myth. This Durga Puja, when the world will experience the latest edition of the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity catalogue, the Indian Museum, Kolkata, will celebrate Devi Durga, said Indian Museum education officer Sayan Bhattacharya.
“Aside from transcending religious boundaries, the exhibition will showcase the development of the tradition of worshipping female principles representing fertility, motherhood and creation as the embodiment of earth, which has evolved into the worship of Devi Durga in the form of ‘Matrirupen’ and ‘Shaktirupen’,” said a Museum official.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/kolkata-indian-museum-to-showcase-evolution-of-goddess-durga/articleshow/94314122.cms