Assam govt hopes to bring back Vrindavani Vastra from UK: Assembly Speaker

Guwahati, June 27 (IANS) Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass on Saturday expressed confidence that the historic Vrindavani Vastra, an iconic 16th-century Assamese textile masterpiece preserved in the United Kingdom, would be brought to the state for public display, adding that efforts are also underway to showcase another rare Assamese textile housed in a museum in Paris.

Speaking to reporters, Dass said the initiative to bring the Vrindavani Vastra to Assam has been pursued for several years and has now received strong support from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

He added that, while associated with the Cultural Department, he had visited London and Paris in connection with this issue, and that it was an international matter requiring sustained effort.

He noted that with the Chief Minister’s intervention, arrangements had already been initiated to bring the Vrindavani Vastra from the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK to Assam for exhibition.

The Speaker said the people of Assam have long cherished the dream of seeing the priceless textile in their home state.

He expressed confidence that the aspirations of the people would soon be fulfilled and that by 2027, the people of Assam would be able to witness the Vrindavani Vastra here.

He added that they were also hopeful that another important Assamese textile preserved in a Paris museum could be brought for public viewing in the future.

The Vrindavani Vastra is regarded as one of Assam’s greatest cultural treasures. Commissioned by the 16th-century Vaishnavite saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankardeva and woven by master craftsman Madhavdeva’s associates at Tantikuchi near Barpeta, the textile depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna and the Bhagavata Purana through intricate silk weaving.

Originally measuring several metres in length, the textile is considered a remarkable example of Assamese craftsmanship, blending religious devotion with artistic excellence.

Today, surviving portions of the historic fabric are preserved at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, making it one of the most significant surviving artefacts of Assam’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The Assam government has been pursuing efforts to bring the textile to the state, at least on loan for a public exhibition, as part of initiatives to preserve and promote the state’s rich civilisational legacy.

–IANS

tdr/dan