Asian Civilisations Museum presents ancient Buddhist treasures from India
updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:02
Featuring some of the rarest objects in Buddhist art, the exhibition at ACM is one worthy of feasting your eyes on.
As we inch closer to celebrating Singapore’s jubilee year, the festivities are only reaching fever pitch of sorts and well, we can’t complain.
The next in line to commemorate the occasion is an impressive exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), titled ‘Treasures from Asia’s Oldest Museum: Buddhist Art from the Indian Museum, Kolkata’. In a bid to chronicle the evolution of Buddhist art from the 2nd Century BC, the exhibition features over 80 important sculptures and paintings highlighting the Jataka stories, scenes from Buddha’s life and symbols used to present Buddha’s concepts.
From Shunga dynasty to ancient Gandhara, the Gupta Empire and Pala Empire, exhibitors can look forward to setting their eyes on a 1.2 metre tall sandstone Standing Buddha from Sarnath (dating to 5th century), a 10th century carving from Nalanda of Queen Maya giving birth to the Buddha and an 11th century Pala scripture of the Avalokiteshvara.
While the exhibition is notable enough on its own, there is more reason to celebrate as this year also marks the 50th year of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore. The longstanding relationship between Kolkata and Singapore can be seen from the Singapore Stone. Originally part of an ancient stone marker at the mouth of Singapore River, it was blown apart in 1843 to widen the passage. Inscribed fragments of the stone were then sent to the Indian Museum, Kolkata and eventually a larger piece was returned to then Raffles Library and Museum in 1918.
Hence judging from the existing shared history between Singapore and India, the exhibition is a befitting one that further cements the two nations’ integral alliance.
So if you’re looking for a good in depth look into the evolution of Buddhist art and marvel at some rare objects, this exhibition would be the place to head to.
The exhibition will be held till 16 August 2015 at the Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555.
Tarandip Kaur
