Asit Kumar Haldar
(1890 - 1964)
Conversion of Greek Heliodoros to the Hindu religion of Vaishnavism
The present lot by Asit Kumar Haldar is the carefully detailed rendition of a historical scene from the 2nd century BC. As indicated by the title, it depicts the ceremony of the religious conversion of Heliodoros, an Indo-Greek ambassador, to Vaishnavism. Sent to the Indian city of Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh by Antialcidas, the king of Taxila, it is believed that Heliodoros, like others before and after him, was enamored by India; "from the...
The present lot by Asit Kumar Haldar is the carefully detailed rendition of a historical scene from the 2nd century BC. As indicated by the title, it depicts the ceremony of the religious conversion of Heliodoros, an Indo-Greek ambassador, to Vaishnavism. Sent to the Indian city of Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh by Antialcidas, the king of Taxila, it is believed that Heliodoros, like others before and after him, was enamored by India; "from the epigraphic records in the Karle, Nasik and Junnar caves and also from various inscriptions, it is known that... the Greeks, Sakas, Pahlvas "succumbed to the charm of Hindu culture and religion."" (Dr Radha Kumud Mookerji, Indian Culture at a Glance , Lucknow: The Department of Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, 1960) Heliodoros adopted the title "Bhagavata," and erected a magnificent pillar in Vidisha with an inscription commemorating his visit and devotion, which is likely one of the earliest known inscriptions on Vaishnavism in India. In Haldar's painting, the Greco-Roman costumes of the subjects, and the deity and pillar in the background, show the process and nuances of this conversion.
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Lot
3
of
67
EVENING SALE | NEW DELHI, LIVE
12 SEPTEMBER 2019
Estimate
Rs 7,00,000 - 9,00,000
$9,860 - 12,680
Winning Bid
Rs 8,40,000
$11,831
(Inclusive of Buyer's Premium)
ARTWORK DETAILS
Asit Kumar Haldar
Conversion of Greek Heliodoros to the Hindu religion of Vaishnavism
Signed in Bengali with artist's stamp, bearing a number '8' sticker and an indistinct inscription (lower left), inscribed 'ASIT K HALDAR' (lower right) and bearing a plaque (lower centre); signed and dated 'AK.Haldar/ 26/2/52' (on the reverse)
1952
Gouache on paper
27.75 x 19.5 in (70.3 x 49.8 cm)
Inscription on the plaque reads 'Conversion of Heliodores to Vaishnavism/ (2nd. Century B.C.)' in English and Devnagari
PUBLISHED Dr Radha Kumud Mookerji, Indian Culture at a Glance , Lucknow: The Department of Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, 1960, pl. 8 (illustrated)
Category: Painting
Style: Figurative
ARTWORK SIZE:
Height of Figure: 6'