Madurai :
Centuries-old rare sculptures belonging to early and later Pandya period are left to the mercy of weather at the Government Museum in Madurai for want of adequate infrastructure and apathy of officials to provide at least temporary shield or security to them.
About 90 rare artifacts, inscriptions and burial urns which were obtained by the museum after strenuous efforts are left in the open at the museum located at the Gandhi Museum campus. The relics, which were collected from various places including Madurai, Theni and Dindigul are lying unattended, exposing them to damage caused by weather. Experts say that it is rare to see such a wide collection of historic objects at one place.
The callous attitude of the museum authorities is shocking. Maxine Delrico, from France, who visited the Government Museum, said that he was surprised to see such disregard to heritage. “I thought that the relics are modern sculptures. When I asked a local person he said they belong to 7th and 8th century. Though, they are centuries old they are displayed poorly. No one would be curious to know about the sculptures if they are not displayed well,” he said. .
The priceless relics are now toyed with by children. “Due to lack of protection, school children who come from nearby areas play with the sculptures. They may damage the historic objects. Before something goes wrong they should be safeguarded,” said V Karupaiya of Palanganatham.
Talking about the importance of the sculpture V Vedachalam, a senior epigraphist, said that it is hard to come across such sculptures spanning from 7th century to recent times. “A Perumal statue which was found in Vaigai river belongs to the 7th century. Several such old sculptures, including rare early and later Pandya era ones, are also lying here. Similar sculptures could only be noticed in cave temples,” he said.
N Sulaiman, former top official in the department of art and culture, who was involved in the procuring the items have called for their protection. During his 18-year stint at the museum Sulaiman was instrumental in collecting more than 18 sculptures from Madurai and neighbouring districts. “Tremendous hard work has gone behind their collection. The relics should be safeguarded. The importance of such relics can be carried to the next generation only if they are displayed well,” he said.
When contacted, A Periyasamy, curator of the Government Museum, Madurai, said that a proposal for the construction of a building has been sent to the higher authorities. Soon the construction work is expected to be commenced. The sculptures will be shifted inside the building once the works are completed.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Madurai / by V. Devanathan, TNN / March 28th, 2013