Report on International Seminar on The Art and Religion of Xinjiang
* By Dr. Radha Banerjee
The rich geographical, historical and cultural heritage of Central Asia has been both a strong foundation for fostering a dynamic cultural pluralism in the region and cross cultural dialogue.
Most
part of Xinjiang (Tarim Basin) is arid and inhospitable. It is surrounded
on all sides by the mountains, on the north by the Tianshan, the Celestial
mountain, on the south by the Kunlun which separates Central Asia from
Tibet, on the east by the Nanshan and on the west by the mountain mass of
Pamir. The redeeming feature of this region was the oasis towns which
flourished along the northern and southern edges of the Tarim basin. The
Silk Route trade which invariably passed through them made this region
economically prosperous and rendered the migration of the people from one
state to another, less strenuous and easy. Thus, Xinjiang became the
centre of many religious beliefs and art traditions. There arose here a
cosmopolitan and composite culture because of the vigorous intennixing of
the people who came to live here
Xinjiang occupied a
highly strategic position. It served as a gateway for the transmission of
Chinese ideas, influencing the West and the corning in of western
thoughts, art and religions to China. It is well known that Buddhism came
first to Central Asia and from here spread to China, Korea and Japan.
Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and Nestorian Christianity too gained a strong
foothold here. Buddhism made a significant contribution to the growth of
Xinjiang art and culture.
The
very name Xinjiang conjures up before our mind a picture of vast Buddhist
cave temples and shrines adorned with beautiful paintings and sculptures
representing the compassionate Buddha, Bodhisattvas and Jataka scenes
adored by monks and laymen, soldiers and merchants alike.
Xinjiang
has left a rich legacy of Buddhist culture and art. Manichaeism too left
its mark on certain aspects of its culture. The vast quantities of
antiquities discovered from here by various explorers throw great light on
the multifaceted nature and traits of this Central Asian culture. Central
Asian antiquities bear testimony to the active cultural intercourse that
existed between India and this region during the early centuries of
Christian Era.
The
Central Asian antiquities discovered by Sir Aurel Stein and other scholars
are vast in number and fall into various categories comprising mural
fragments, textiles, silk paintings and banners, wood carvings, stuccoes,
paper drawings, manuscripts in thousands (especially from Cave 17 of
Dunhuang), Kharoshthi documents, etc dating from about the 2nd-3rd century
to the 10th century A.D. and they throw welcome light on the forgotten
civilization of Central Asia which was greatly influenced by Buddhist art
and culture.
The seminar was organized in two phases in collaboration with
the Museum Fur Indische Kunst, Berlin and the Hongkong University ,
Hongkong. The fIrst phase of the seminar was held in the Hongkong
University, Hongkong from 7d1 to 9d1 December, 2000 and the second phase
in IGNCA on the 11d1 and 12th December, 2000.
The discussion in the
seminar centered round the art and culture of Xinjiang with special
reference to Kizil caves. Kizil and Kucha was a very important ancient
centre of Buddhist culture dating from the 2nd century A.D. to 9th century
A.D. The most famous Buddhist scholar Kumarajiva belonged to Kucha.
Scholars discussed at length on the chronology and dating of the Kizil caves. Further, there was a lively discussion also on the other aspects of Central Asian art and culture including the Buddhist Narratives and the Iconographical styles of the Kizil art, the Art of Ajanta and Kizil, the Otani Collection from Central Asia with special reference to Kucha reliquary, Tantric art in Khotan, Trade Monasteries at Khotan, Trade and Commerce in Xinjiang, Hindu deities in Central Asia etc. The papers were interesting and informative and were followed by fruitful discussions. This seminar was attended by scholars from China, Hongkong, India and Germany.
*Dr Radha Ballerjee, a Chillese scholar, Is a Research Associate on Cultural Asia, working in Kala Kosh division.
