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Objects of attraction
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The International Museum Day, observed on May 18 with a workshop on `Museums and Globalisation', reminds us of the necessity to preserve objects and artefacts for posterity and make these repositories pulsating places, particularly for the young, writes RADHIKA RAJAMANI.
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SPACIOUS HALLS: The new galleries at Salarjung Museum offer better display facilities.
WHEN COMPARED to various forms of entertainment today museums still evoke sighs of `no no' and are looked as dreary places particularly by the younger generation. Barring a few objets de art which youngsters may be interested in museums are still uninspiring and unexciting.
But a crucial point is to be noted - these are the only repositories of cultural objects and remind us of the ancient past. In an era of globalisation cultures seem to be in a melting pot.
Though this idea is gaining momentum and countries like France are worried about being swept in its tide, cultural globalisation took place centuries ago through invasion, conquest, and trade contacts. Through contact and clash, cultures crossed boundaries. India offers a classic example - it assimilated people and ideas and transmitted its culture through trade. With trade travelled religion and culture. This process, however, was spread over centuries.
Today with talk of history being removed from the educational syllabus, it becomes all the more essential to know the past. How does one preserve for posterity? One way is through museums. Indians pay exorbitant rates to see `Mona Lisa' at Louvre, Chapella Sistina (Sistine Chapel in Vatican Museum), our own diamonds in the Tower museum at London or the jewellery at the Kremlin, Moscow or scores of museums all over the world. But in the enthusiasm and eagerness to see we do not mind the cost. However, in our country the attitude is different. We do not boast of seeing the bronze statue of a dancing girl recovered from Mohenjo daro or the Veiled Rebecca at Salarjung museum.
One of the reasons museums are uninteresting is because of poor publicity. There is not much of information about the exhibits and the display is dull. The lighting and other helpful information such as signages is not adequate. A museum is not vibrant and bustling with activity as perhaps museums abroad are.
Not many are aware that the State Archaeological Museum housed in the Public Gardens in the city has a good numismatic collection or an Egyptian mummy. The second one is sure to motivate children to see it. Most of the State museums on account of paucity of funds have become dull and drab.
In today's hi-tech age one has to keep abreast with developments in technology. It is the age of virtual museums too. Sitting in a museum in a city, one can learn about happenings in Smithsonian Institution, U.S.A. with the push of a button. Museums can be made interactive. The science museums and museums of natural history in the country have made some headway in this direction. Walk through galleries in museums are slowly catching up not just in the West but in India too.
IMPOSING STRUCTURE: There are hardly any visitors.
The Kolkata Panorama, inaugurated recently (May 9), has a high-tech story-telling presentation on 310 years history of Kolkata. Through panoramic projection, animatronics, sound and light, virtual reality, computer and multi-media, the history of Calcutta from the Battle of Plassey (where one can walk through the battlefield), through the Bengal Renaissance (interact with the leaders) to the freedom struggle and modern developments is unfolded.
This will certainly stimulate people to take note of history as it is told in an interesting way and makes one feel part of the process. This is somewhat akin to a small museum at Waterloo near Brussels which recreates the famous battle between Nelson and Napoleon through sound, light and visuals.
"It is a challenge for museums to attract children," says S. Chakravarti, director, Indian Museum, Kolkata and Chairman of Indian National Committee- International Council of Museums.
He adds "static and mute objects don't attract or convey anything to children. Children want vibration, and therefore, we need walk through galleries, a new concept in museums. At the Indian Museum, Kolkata we are planning a gallery where one walks through the Indus Valley. The whole civilisation will be recreated through images and structures. Another one will have prehistoric man (Ramapithecus and Australopithecus) speaking out."
At a workshop "Museums and Globalisation" held to mark the International Museums Day N. Gopalaswami, Secretary, Culture, Government of India stressed the need to make museums vibrant, particularly to attract the young to realise the value of our treasures.
This way people can be educated on the need to preserve the priceless treasures for posterity. In the Salar Jung Museum some efforts will be made for visitors to see some galleries on screen with the push of a button soon.
Publications in museums have to be improved and made attractive. The Salar Jung Museum has registered an increase in books souvenir items, replicas and picture post cards informed the director A.K.V.S. Reddy.
PASSING ON: The youth show a fleeting interest.
A museum should expand its sphere of activities. "The museum has been holding exhibitions and seminars/workshops periodically. The summer camp organised for children recently was successful," he added.
"A museum building should inspire people to enter," says A.K.V.S. Reddy, and therefore, the exterior façade of Salar Jung is being given a facelift. The museum will also see new galleries in the new extensions. "The State Archaeological Museum too will have two new galleries in the coming months," said Ramalakshman, Director, State Archaeology.
Twinning museums with the department of tourism will also ensure more visitors and more revenue. Paucity of funds is one of the main factors inhibiting improvements and upgradations in smaller museums like the State Museum of Archaeology. Some funds and grants have been notified towards this and one hopes that the museum will benefit by this.
Museums narrate the tales of the past and have to be enlivened in tune with the changing times.
Photos: P. V. Sivakumar & Satish H
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