Collecting Krishna
Thu, November 27 2008
Kunrong, who runs a restaurant at China Town in eastern Kolkata, has been a passionate collector of Krishna idols since 1974.
“It was my 20th birthday and a Bengali friend gifted me a tiny stone idol of Krishna,” said Kunrong. “As soon as I looked into the eyes of the idol I felt a soul connection with him. It seemed as if I am born for him. Since then my Krishna hunt is on.”
Kunrong has a collection of 19,366 Krishna idols, but none of Krishna, Hinduism’s most popular divinity, with his beloved Radha.
“I am too possessive about my Krishna and fantasize myself as Radha as well as Meera (Krishna’s famous devotee). Despite being a Chinese, every day I read translations of Bhagavad Gita (a book containing Krishna’s teachings) and also worship him,” she said. “Every year during Janmashtami (Krishna’s birth anniversary) there is an elaborate ceremony at my place.
Kunrong finds Krishna idols anywhere from roadside stalls to shopping malls.
“Most of the idols I picked up are either from street hawkers or roadside stalls. And obviously, knowing of my passion for Krishna, I get similar gifts from friends and relatives too.”
By Sreya Basu
