Private screening of ‘Have You Seen My Gods?’ documentary on Nepal’s stolen statues & repatriation

KATHMANDU: The screening of the thought-provoking documentary “Have You Seen My Gods?,” was an overwhelming success on Oct 2nd, 2024, at 8 PM at QFX Chhaya Center, directed by Amitabh Joshi.

This exclusive event aimed to gather insights and feedback from both experts and the public prior to the film’s official broadcast in the United States, with the goal of raising awareness about Nepal’s ongoing repatriation initiatives.

The documentary reflected the passion, insight, dedication, and creativity on the part of the producer Amitabh Joshi.

Moderator, Neeva M. Pradhan, Founding Member and Past President, Daya Foundation welcomed the esteemed guests, dignitaries, friends, and family. Diplomats from the American, Australian, European-Union, Malaysian, British Embassies, along with dignitaries from various organizations were present with a total of over one hundred and thirty participants.

At the heart of the film was the poignant story of the 1984 theft of the Lakshmi-Narayana statue and its eventual return to its original temple in Patan in 2021. The narrative was further enriched by the filmmaker’s personal connection, as he reflected on his ailing grandmother’s belief that her illness was linked to the stolen statues. The bittersweet timing of her passing, coinciding with the statue’s return, added a profound layer of emotional resonance to the film.

As a work in progress, this documentary featured insights from esteemed journalists Kanak Mani Dixit and Alisha Sijapati, along with the dedicated efforts of artists and activists such as Lain Singh Bangdel, Jurgen Schick, and Joy Davis. Together, they chronicled decades of struggle to reclaim Nepal’s cultural heritage, igniting a crucial dialogue on whether these sacred objects should remain in museums or be returned to their rightful cultural contexts.

The sponsorship, support and encouragement provided by Daya Foundation, was invaluable and much appreciated. The foundation’s vision is the upliftment of Education, Health and Culture and has been in existence for over fifteen years. From the culture sector the key objective in recent years has been to motivate and inspire youth to express their understanding and experience of culture through poetry writing, speech, singing, video making contests and other creative channels. The overall theme being, “Culture Through the Eyes of Youth”.

Moderator, Neeva M. Pradhan said, “Daya Foundation’s goal to foster interest in cultural heritage through dialogue is vital for shaping well-rounded, culturally aware youths who can contribute positively to society. Engaging in cultural dialogue ensures that traditions, languages, and practices are passed down from generations.

A strong connection to cultural heritage can empower youth by instilling pride in their history and helps young people develop a sense of identity and belonging. We hope one day this documentary will be accessible to youths in Nepal and in the diaspora communities globally.”

Along with Daya Foundation, Nepal Investment Mega Bank and National Art Council’s support in reaching out to historians, art and culture enthusiasts was commendable.

Have You Seen My Gods? is produced by Vacant Light, a production company co-founded by Amitabh Joshi and Erik Spink. The filmmakers have received acclaim from prestigious institutions, including the Academy of Motion Pictures, The Ford Foundation, and the Center for Public Broadcast.

The Q & A session was vibrant with exchange of dialogue between the producer Amitabh and the audience with valuable input to help incorporate in the film at the next phase of its completion. Moderator, Pradhan initiated few pertinent questions such as “What inspired you to make this film?” and “What do you want your audience to take away from the film?”. This was followed by few questions from the audience. Journalists Kanak Mani Dixit and Alisha Sijapati, gave closing remarks regarding the future of this search for the statues and its preservation.

The documentary was a beautiful mix of family and cultural values alongside the critical search and retrieval of the famous statute. “ The audience was very impressed and touched by the depth and quality of the documentary.

The story telling was intricately woven to reflect the importance of connection to one’s roots and cultural heritage which was the key essence of the film.

The screening was a significant event that sought to illuminate the importance of cultural heritage and the efforts to reclaim it.” Moderator Pradhan said.