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

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Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya 283 Museum. For researchers engaged in architecture, tribal art and religion, conservation techniques, graphic art, as well as administrative planners the Tribal Habitat of IGRMS is a laboratory for various practical experience. Taking note of the success of ‘Tribal Habitat’ experience, more and more similar open-air exhibitions were created to depict the life and culture of Indian coastal communities, the people living in desert region of western India, and also the lengthy stretch of Himalayan region. In developing the exhibits in these exhibitions, methodology adopted was similar to that of the Tribal Habitat Exhibition. Coastal Village open-air exhibition set up in about 20 acres land, represents dwelling units and related material cultural objects from different coastal parts of India; viz. Gujarat, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. These are typical traditional house-types, representing lifestyles and cultural identities of Indian coastal communities. Some eco-friendly structures exhibited in this complex reflect the socio-economic situation of inhabitants, like the ‘Arapura’ (wooden cottage), and ‘Palliyodam’ (snake-boat) from Kerala, are the main attractions for visitors. Desert Village open air exhibition represents typical dwelling-types from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. A dwelling complex of Rajputs in this exhibition highlights the process and degree of their adaptation with environment. Various ethnographic objects displayed inside the dwelling units depict their life-ways and subsistence strategies. One of the interesting and unique items in the Himalayan Village is the typical stone building - Kothi – a dwelling complex from Shimla re-erected in the campus. The imposing entrance gate known as Parol or Paraud constructed to protect and lend beauty to the courtyard is a reminder of the culture and ecology of the terrain of the Himalaya region. The Choukat, another house-type from Uttaranchal is said to be earthquake resistant variety. The IGRMS is fortunate to have about 30 odd painted rock caves within its campus. These have been transformed into an open-air exhibition titled Rock Art Heritage. Perhaps IGRMS is one of the few Museums in the world which has shelters of the Prehistoric Man in its premises with paintings drawn by the prehistoric dwellers. These are valuable assets not only for researchers but also for inquisitive general visitors to the IGRMS campus. The Exhibition Mythological Trail depicts compositions as reflected in myths and legends of various folk and tribal communities. These are crafted in different media of terracotta, wood, stone, iron etc. Crafts of various artisan groups, incarnations of folk deities and traditional paintings form the main attraction of the exhibition. A 12 ft. tall iron gate with decorative carvings, representing the origin and technology of iron-smithy (done by Lohars from Bastar), forms an imposing structure of this exhibition.
284 Multiple Heritage: Role of Specialised Museums in India The IGRMS has been emphasizing on collection and documentation of tradition based technologies from different parts of the country. Based on the field experience to different remote villages in India, a new open air exhibition titled Tradtional Technology was developed and opened for visitors in March, 2008. This exhibition presents the knowledge or wisdom practised by indigenous communities in the utilization of locally available resources to fulfil their sustained way of living. Some of the note-worthy exhibits, in this open air exhibition, are Meitei Thim Shungba (traditional salt making technology of Manipur), Gangugu (traditional oil expelling technology of Andhra Pradesh), Ganna Charkhi (traditional technology of sugarcane juice extraction process practised in Chhattisgarh), Tirahi (typical oil expelling technology), Gharat, Tui-Changshu, Edullumota (traditional water management systems adopted in Uttaranchal, Manipur, and Andhra Pradesh respectively) etc. Veethi Sankul-Indoor Museum was constructed in about twelve thousand sqm. area with spacious exhibition halls, a reference library, indoor & outdoor auditoriums and other miscellaneous facilities, and dedicated to the nation in March, 2005. The structure is unique in its architecture, constructed on a rocky terrain incorporating difficult levels of the sloppy land. The various exhibition halls and auditoriums have been constructed on approximately 16 levels. The structure is covered with Dholpur sand-stone, and the flooring is made with Kota stones. Approximately 7000 sq.mt. floor area is utilized for exhibitions, in 10 galleries. These are named as: Gallery 1 : Human Evolution and Variation: Presenting the landmarks of process of human evolution in different stages through models, photographs, charts, sketches etc. Emphasis has been put on the Narmada-man discovered at Hathnora in Madhya Pradesh which indicates India as one of the theatres of human bio-cultural evolution; Gallery 2 : Human Odyssey–Depicting material cultural objects on settlement patterns, subsistence and aesthetic activities of hunter-gatherers, shifting cultivators, pastoralists, peasants and ethno-medicine practitioners in India; Gallery 3 : Longo Jatra–A festival of the Koitor life style and festivities of Gond tribes of Central India; Gallery 4 : Mandwa Gohri – envisages holistic presentation on the Bhil tribes of Western India; Gallery 5 : Ethnic Art:–Presents the ethnic art of selected folk and tribal communities from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc.; Gallery 6 : Belief Systems, Cosmology and Rituals–Presents ritual objects, photographs, masks, memorial pillars, paintings etc. to narrate cosmology, belief systems and rituals of different communities; Gallery 7 : Music & Performing Traditions–presents music traditions of various communities.
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Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National ... - IGRMS

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