25 years ago, when Monk Krishnman visited the MET, the absence of Nepali instruments at the Museum did not go unnoticed by him.
Determined to showcase the rich musical heritage of his homeland, he offered the museum a set of traditional Nepali instruments called ‘Pancha Baja’. Krishnaman’s efforts have paid off, as the museum accepted the instruments 1993 and finally in 2003, the MET designated Nepal window with his Pancha Baja display and making Nepal a part of its diverse musical collection at the MET. This accomplishment is a proud moment for Nepal and its people, as it marks the recognition of their unique cultural identity on a global stage.
A deeply religious man, he joined the order of the Mahayana Buddhists to become a monk in 1992. He then began to play a larger role in life, writing books, organizing international peace walks and has now become a sort of a cultural historian. I met him during his Peace Walk from Washington to New York in 2002.
As he recalls, “While I was in America, I visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. There I noticed that the museum had musical instruments from all over the world, but none from Nepal. So he made his mission to collect those instruments and donated to the MET.
But those instruments were not displayed for a long time. With the help from the Friends of Nepal-NJ and many other organizations as well as US Ambassadors, we were able to meet with the director of the museum and convince him the importance of musical instrument. He was very proud that it was accepted, and Nepal has been represented in such a prestigious museum.
Unfortunately, during recent renovation of the MET, display pieces were reduced, and they were able to display only two pieces of instruments along with similar sets from India.
At the age of 92, Monk Krishnaman, determined to convince the MET staff, he visited again last week to have a full display of his Pancha Baja instruments at the MET.
Monk Krishnaman has been promoting Nepal and Nepalese music and culture for a long time. Let’s hope that his wishes will come true and have a full display at the MET soon. That is his last wish and he made 7000-mile trip at the age of 92 to convince the MET staff.
As the Bhagvat Gita says: “Do your karma, but do not expect anything in return. If you do it to get something back, you will be disappointed.” He is confident that full display of his Pancha Baja will take place soon.
Every trip I made to Nepal he came to meet me to get his message to the MET staff and finally we were able to get him visa to come for the visit. Hopefully, his last wishes will come true soon. Hopefully his last mission will keep him focused and continue his last fight.
May his last wish will come true.
Monk Krishnaman was also instrumental in setting up an Interfaith Peace program in New Jersey. Last week we dedicated the Interfaith Peace Garden at the NJ Buddhist vihara. Unfortunately, he was not able to visit, due to his ill health and his son Ashok Manandhar, represented him at that Peace Celebration and presented special Buddha on behalf of his father to Ven Bhanthe Hungampola Sirirathana Nayaka Thero.
The Asha Project 