Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National ... - IGRMS

282 Multiple Heritage: Role of Specialised Museums in India
Tribal Habitat was the first open air exhibition complex designed to be
developed on the south-eastern hill top of the campus. Unique dwelling types of
architectural marvels from different tribal communities were selected to represent
from the Gangetic plains of Uttaranchal, lush green forest areas of North-east
India, the arid region of western India, plateau region of central India, hilly tracts
of eastern India, the Nilgiri (blue-mountain) tracts of south western India etc.
The initial set of about ten habitats were re-erected, and the Exhibition was opened
for public in January, 1988. Presently, there are over thirty house-types, youth
dormitories, shrines and other centres of cultural interactions clustered together
in this section . These dwellings represent the Warli community of Maharashtra,
Kutia Kondh, Saora and Gadaba communities of Orissa, Rathwa and Chodhri
tribes of Gujarat, Boda Kachari, Mishing and Karbi tribes of Assam, Agaria and
Bhil communities of Madhya Pradesh, Kars and Rajwars of Chhattisgarh, Santal
tribe of Jharkhand, Jatapu tribe of Andhra Pradesh, Bhumij from West Bengal,
Tangkul and Kabui Nagas from Manipur, Chakhesang Naga of Nagaland, Reang
tribe of Tripura, Toda and Kota communities of Tamilnadu. The most striking
feature of this Exhibition is that the exhibits are life-size dwellings built by the
different tribal communities themselves, based on their traditional ground plans
and architectural patterns. The materials which are traditionally used for
construction in their respective regions, were specially transported to Bhopal for
creating the replica. Select groups of tribal artisans were invited to Bhopal to reconstruct
their dwellings and create a genuine ambiance within and outside their
dwellings. To create the ambiance, the concerned tribal groups did their own
home-work by surveying their regional hamlets to understand the intriguing
patterns of structural designs, placement of house-hold objects in each locations
within and outside the house, collect the sacred plants ritualistic objects to be
planted outside the house-types. The community groups came to IGRMS
representing different categories of performers i.e. brick makers, carpentry
technicians and even priests to sanctify their house-types. They act as ambassadors
of their community groups. Once the house is re-erected, they would explain to
the Museum staff how to document the myths and legends of their community
origin, the different ritual forms, the importance of space distribution, and their
culinary traditions. They would teach the museum staff their traditional ways of
structural conservation and other feed-backs for maintenance and upkeep. In a
way they take over the role of curators of the exhibits, and the museum personnel
were trained how to explain their customs and traditions to the visitors. From
time to time they would visit the campus to oversee the arrangements in each of
their house-types. The museum staff would also visit the hamlets of these tribal
groups, document their festivities and craft traditions, to display these elements
in the house-types.
Today, ‘Tribal Habitat’ is one of the important exhibition premises, spread
over in about forty acres of land, which attracts a large number of visitors to the