KUALA LUMPUR – The National Art Gallery has come under heat online after the image selected by the gallery to convey Thaipusam wishes depicted several deities, none of whom were Lord Murugan, the deity being celebrated.
A picture can convey a hundred words, and social media users did not take kindly to the implications behind the gallery’s decision to post a painting unrelated to Thaipusam while cheerily wishing devotees a safe celebration.
Besides having no correlation to the festival, the image posted was of an oil painting by Chinese artist Kok Yew Puah, causing some to question the erasure of Indian talent.
“Were there no artworks by Indian artists? Also, none of the gods in the art have anything to do with Thaipusam,” Instagram user @vissyarts pointed out.
Netizens did not hold their tongues in rebuking the apparent ignorance of the gallery, and seeing as how Lord Murugan is an integral part of Thaipusam festivities, Instagram user @aandavan_063 questioned the thought process behind the gallery’s decision.
“Thaipusam = Murugan. So where is Murugan? What are these shirtless people supposed to represent? Actually, what was on your mind when you did this? Enlighten us,” he commented.
User @neeshakrish voiced the discontent felt by many, saying: “A day so sacred and important to the Indian community has been incredibly misrepresented on what is supposed to be a national platform.
“There’s really no point in posting wishes to marginalised communities if they are callous and thoughtless. This only shows us the cracks within your institution and, sadly, how disconnected you really are.”
The user, like numerous others, further called on the gallery to take down the post and issue an apology to those it had offended.
Meanwhile on Twitter, user @Sivavmn expressed his incredulity over the apparent ignorance of the art selection and lamented the lack of Indian representation on an occasion special to the community.
“Not @BalaiSeniNegara and @ilhamgallerykl sharing non-Indian artwork depicting deities not relevant to the festival to wish Hindus for Thaipusam.
“Do you need more Indian friends?” he queried.
Not @BalaiSeniNegara and @ilhamgallerykl sharing non-Indian artwork, depicting deities not relevant to the festival to wish Hindus for Thaipusam ☠️
— Siva ?️? ??️⚧️ (@Sivavmn) January 18, 2022
Do you need more Indian friends? https://t.co/G2CmAI916P
Ilham Gallery also posted to their Facebook a black-and-white and cropped version of the image as part of its Thaipusam greeting, along with some brief information on the celebration. – The Vibes, January 19, 2022
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