Culture | Oh, gods

The modern relevance of 3,000-year-old religious sculptures

India’s leading museum is hosting a fascinating show, with global support

Visitors look at a female statue in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and its Ancient Sculptures: India Egypt Assyria Greece Rome exhibition.
Marble busts and busty marblesPhotograph: CSMVS Mumbai
|Mumbai

Look around, and marvel at the heavenly matches. Flawless Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and general good-time chap (his nude marble body setting unrealistic beauty standards long before the invention of Instagram) stands next to a tall banner of Bodhisattva Maitreya, the future Buddha, his gaze serene, features sharp, body supple: a perfect man.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Oh, gods”

From the January 27th 2024 edition

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