There is a Chaturmukh Shiva Linga kosh in the collections of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst; it is made of gilded copper, and has four faces. Such an ornately crafted metal cover is consecrated with prana (life energy). It is part of a Shiva Linga: an emblem or symbol of Shiva, a central deity in Hinduism.
Filmmaker and visual anthropologist Deepak Tolange embarks on a journey of discovery to explore the meaning and provenance of the Shiva Linga kosh held in the collections, as well as to rediscover, relearn and reconnect aspects of Shiva and Shiva Linga. For his visual research project, he documents daily rituals and some of the central festivals of Shiva worship in Nepal with his camera. He meets experts, priests and community representatives , especially in the neighbourhood of the Gyaneshwor Temple, to discuss the significance of sacred Hindu artefacts – and also about what their absence means for the local community.
In Berlin, Deepak Tolange works with the museum teams and, in particular, provenance researcher Sophia Bokop to explore the history of the Shiva Linga kosh. Deepak Tolange weaves the diverse methodological approaches together into a documentary film for international audiences. In this way, the film explores the profound connection between Hindu communities and their sacred cultural belongings, conveying an impression of the role these play in their everyday lives, their identity and their beliefs. At the same time, it aims to raise public awareness about the absence and loss of art and cultural heritage in Nepal.
Project Key Info
Region: Nepal
Cooperation partner: Deepak Tolange
Research: Deepak Tolange, Sophia Bokop, Lilla Russell-Smith, Henriette Lavaulx-Vrécourt
Project funding: CoMuse
Project duration: 2023 – 2025