Former senior conservator of National Museum, New Delhi, CB Gupta at Patna Museum on Saturday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Oct. 13: Renowned thangka painting restorer C.B. Gupta today expressed co-ncern over the poor condition of the ancient Tibetan silk paintings at Patna Museum.

Thangka paintings are Tibetan silk work with embroidery, usually depicting a Buddhist deity.

“Patna Museum has 232 thangka paintings. This is the biggest collection of such artwork across the globe. Though some paintings are in a comparatively good condition, many are in a bad shape. Several paintings have been affected by humidity and there are stains all over the borders. The paint is fading and the frames are vulnerable to pest attacks,” said Gupta, a former senior conservator at National Museum, New Delhi.

“The conservation of thangka paintings at the museum is poor. There is not a single conservator at the museum. If steps are not taken, the loss would be irreparable,” he added.

Gupta urged the authorities to take immediate steps for conservation of the art form. He also made a presentation on the condition of thangka paintings at the museum in the presence of minister of art, culture and youth affairs Sukhada Pandey and senior officials of the museum.

Sukhada said: “Thangka artefact are priceless. The department would take all steps to ensure their conservation.”