Author: Sreya Basu
Publication: Hindustan Times
Date: November 21, 2008
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=678deed4-dc25-45d8-896d-04a66e8feb0f
You could call Wen Kunrong, a 54-year-old
Chinese woman, a devotee of Hindu God Krishna, but she would rather be called
his 'gopi' (consort). She has collected nearly 20,000 idols of her favourite
deity, not just from across India but from different countries.
Kunrong, who runs a restaurant at China Town
in eastern Kolkata, is a passionate collector of Krishna idols since 1974.
Ancestors of many residents in the area migrated from southern China in the
19th century. Kunrong's family has been in Kolkata for five generations.
"It was my 20th birthday and a Bengali
friend gifted me a tiny stone idol of Krishna. 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. All I look out for anywhere I go
is Krishna and I can't control myself on seeing his idol," Kunrong told
IANS.
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 fantasise 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. Every year during
Janmashtami (Krishna's birth anniversary) there is an elaborate ceremony at
my place," Kunrong said.
She has collected Krishna idols not only from
across India but also from different countries.
"I have collected idols from almost every
corner of India, including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mathura, Vrindaban,
Mumbai, Chennai, as well as from Tibet, Nepal, China, Australia, America,
Japan, Costa Rica and Spain," Kunrong said.
"My addiction to Krishna has made me
want to capture him in all possible moods and I christen them as I wish -
Hanging Krishna, Angel Krishna, Baby-face Krishna, Flute-less Krishna, Swan-rider
Krishna, Buddha-Krishna, Laddu-Gopal and Makhan-chor Gopal are some of them,"
Kunrong said.
When it comes to getting a Krishna idol, Kunrong
makes her pick from roadside stalls to shopping malls.
"Most of the idols I picked up are either
from street hawkers or roadside stalls. Some are from shopping malls and curio
shops as well. And obviously, knowing of my passion for Krishna, I get similar
gifts from friends and relatives too.
"I don't go by the price tag while getting
a Krishna idol. Prices for the idols in my collection range from Rs.10 to
Rs.100,000. I am a single woman and don't have a family as such. So whatever
I earn is for Krishna," Kunrong added.
