The Assam government has signed a loan agreement with the British Museum to bring back the historic Vrindavani Vastra for public display in Assam in 2027, marking the first homecoming of this priceless textile in over a century.

Background

• During his stay at Patbausi in the Koch kingdom, Naranarayan and Chilarai respectfully asked Srimanta Sankardeva to narrate the complete story of Krishna’s childhood in Vrindavan. 
• Deeply pleased by his narration, the royal brothers humbly requested him to present the Vrindavan episodes in visual form, leading to the creation of the Vrindavani Vastra.

About Vrindavani Vastra

The Vrindavani Vastra is a 16th-century silk textile depicting the life of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. It was created under the guidance of Srimanta Sankardeva, at the request of Koch King Naranarayan’s brother, Chilarai.

Key Features of the Vrindavani Vastra

• Woven by weavers of Tantikuchi (Barpeta) along with master weaver Gopal, later honoured as Mathuradas Budha Ata.
• Weaved under the supervision of Sankardeva and Madhavadeva.
  • Under Madhava’s supervision, about 4 inches of extra cloth could be made in one day. Pleased with this progress, Srimanta Sankardeva praised him and gave him the title Badhār Po.
• Created using the rare lampas weaving technique, which requires two weavers working simultaneously.
• Originally 120 cubits long and 60 cubits broad, crafted as 15 separate silk panels later stitched together and it took about six months to finish the weaving.
• Designs were woven with a large variety of colored threads like red,white, black, yellow, green, etc. 
• Some colors were evidently mixed colors or ‘misravarna’ like Kāch-nilā, Gaura-syāma,etc.
• Presented to Chilarai, with due ceremony only a little before the passing away of Sankaradeva, Chilarai kept it at the Madhupur Sattra.
• Contains woven visuals of Krishna’s leelas and fragments of Sankardeva’s poems.
• A symbol of Assamese Vaishnavite spirituality, artistic excellence and cultural fusion.
• Significance: Symbol of Assam’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, reflecting the devotion and vision of Sankardev. 

Journey of the Textile

• Believed to have travelled from Assam to Tibet (17th–18th century).
• Collected by British explorers (Perceval Landon) in the 19th–20th century.
• Acquired by the India Museum in 1904 and later transferred to the British Museum.
• At present it is on display in 4 museums in the world – one each in London, Paris, Boston and Los Angeles. 
  • The biggest fragments of the Vaishnavite textiles are on display in the museums of London and Paris.

The British Museum has agreed to lend the Vastra for 18 months, contingent on Assam building a state-of-the-art museum meeting global conservation standards—an area where the state has historically lagged.

Exam Hook: Prelims MCQ

Consider the following statements regarding the Vrindavani Vastra:

1. It was woven using the lampas weaving technique.
   
2. The textile is currently displayed only in the British Museum in London.
   
3. It depicts scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.
   

Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 

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