By Lauren Codling
A NEW collection of historical treasures from the subcontinent has opened at the British Museum in London.
The Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia underwent a major refurbishment
before welcoming visitors last Thursday (14).
Imma Ramos, a curator of the south Asia collection at the British Museum, showed Eastern Eye around the display, which includes a sitar that belonged to the late sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and a sari worn by suffragette Sophia Duleep Singh.
The gallery shows off an array of objects, some of which date back 1.5 million years.
“It was an incredibly exciting prospect because it involved choosing which objects
we wanted to display,” said Ramos. Having only worked at the museum for two years,
this is her first major exhibition.
Initially opened in 1992, the gallery has been regenerated to include previously unseen
light-sensitive material such as Mughal paintings of Hindu yogis and a new presentation
dedicated to the origins of Sikhism.
“The really exciting thing for us was that we could finally include light-sensitive materials.
We have a huge collection of south Asian paintings, textiles and popular prints and for the first time, we are able to show that material,” Ramos said. “That really allows us to bring the story right up to the present day.”
The gallery is brightly lit with various sections dedicated to south Asian history and culture, from resistance against British rule to the independence and partition of India.
Organised in chronological order, the exhibition allows visitors to follow a narrative that takes them on a journey from ancient times to contemporary Asia.
Each display has a “gateway” object that is chosen to encapsulate everything else in
the case. The idea was that visitors, who may not have a huge amount of time to spend on each item, could focus on one object that could summarise the section.
“That would be the star object,” Ramos explained. “It should stand alone as an important
item, but it should also try and capture the spirit of everything else around it.”
One such “star object” on display within the roots and south Asia diaspora case is a sitar owned by renowned musician Pandit Ravi Shankar.
The beautifully carved stringed instrument was gifted to the museum by Shankar’s wife, Sukanya, and his daughter, Anoushka, last month.
“We are using this sitar to talk about the south Asian diaspora because [Shankar] really popularised Indian classical music internationally. He brought it to the world,” Ramos said.
An acclaimed musician in her own right, Anoushka recently visited the museum to play
the instrument for the museum’s YouTube channel in a celebration of the gallery’s opening.
Other highlights include a shadow puppet display depicting freedom icon Mahatma Gandhi; a sword and ring once owned by Tipu Sultan, who ruled Mysore in south India; and a two-sided limestone relief from the Great Shrine at Amaravati.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.