Guwahati, Nov 16 – Assam’s chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, landed in London on Sunday to kick off talks that could bring the famous Brindabani Bastra back to its homeland. The Bastra is a hand‑woven textile from the 16th century, created under the guidance of the legendary Neo‑Vaishnavite teacher Srimanta Sankardeva and his top disciple Madhabdeva. It tells stories of Lord Krishna’s childhood and is prized as a masterpiece of Assamese craftsmanship.
Over the last two centuries, parts of the Bastra left Assam during the British era and now sit in museums in London and Paris. According to officials who traveled with Mr Sarma, initial conversations with UK authorities are already underway. The talks set a clear path to move the artifact to Guwahati, where it will be displayed in a new, state‑of‑the‑art museum built with modern preservation technology.
The chief minister confirmed that the Assam government has earmarked land in Guwahati for this museum. The facility will store the Bastra safely while also showcasing other pieces of the Neo‑Vaishnavite legacy.
A key day of the visit will be signing a memorandum of understanding between the Assam government and the London museum. The MoU, expected to be formalized later today, will spell out the transfer process, conservation protocols, and how the Bastra will be exhibited.
A senior official said that returning the Brindabani Bastra would be a huge cultural moment, boosting global awareness of Sankardeva’s contributions and the lasting impact of the Neo‑Vaishnavite movement. Meanwhile, other fragments held in Paris and London are also being studied for future collaborative projects.
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