2 days ago
Rare terracotta sculptures unveiled in Chausa museum
Buxar: Rare terracotta sculptures unearthed from Chausa Garh in Buxar are set to reshape Indian art history, said former Rajya Sabha MP Nagendra Nath Ojha at a programme held during the inauguration of a dedicated gallery at the Sitaram Upadhyay Museum on Tuesday.
Ojha called for research into the artisans' lives and practices behind the ancient works. The gallery, based on Ram Katha, was jointly inaugurated by Ojha, Buxar Municipal Council chairperson Kamrun Nisha and a representative of the erstwhile Dumraon estate.
Museum head Shiv Kumar Mishra said that between 2011 and 2014, the department of art, culture and youth excavated a Vaishnav terracotta temple under Umesh Chandra Dwivedi's supervision.
"The site reveals traces of four cultural layers, suggesting a civilisation dating back 4,000-5,000 years," Mishra said.
Among the rare finds is a fourth-century clay sculpture of Shiva-Parvati's marriage, believed to be India's oldest. Others depict Vishwamitra, Menaka and Shakuntala, Hanuman, Kumbhakarna, and Ram with some bearing inscriptions in ancient scripts.
Mishra added, "Scenes such as Sita's abduction and Ram striking Kumbhakarna with an arrow showcase remarkable craftsmanship." Clay figures of deities, monkeys and mythical beings are also on display.
Bronze Jain statues from 1931 found at the same site are preserved in the Bihar Museum. Chairperson Kamrun Nisha commended the museum for preserving Buxar's heritage and pledged continued support.
