MUSEUMS, ART GALLERIES, ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES
The following are the institutions and programmes in the field of Museums, art galleries, archives and libraries :
(1) National Museum, New Delhi, Central Conservation Laboratory, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, Indian Museum, Calcutta, Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi, Indian War Memorial Museum, Delhi, Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Museum, Delhi, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, Gandhi Darshan, Delhi.
(2) National Archives, New Delhi, National Library, Calcutta, Central Reference Library, Calcutta, Delhi Public Library, Delhi, Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Patna, Central Library, Town Hall, Bombay, Grants to other libraries, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation and Central Secretariat Library including Central Language Library (Tulsi Sadan).
National Museum, New Delhi During the year the National Museum continued to expand its activities for collecting, preserving and presenting the rich cultural heritage of the country. The recent additions to its collections include two Mauryan wooden figures excavated from Patna; one ivory painting showing Shivaji Maharaja of Tanjore and a stone sculpture showing Nataraja from the University of Saugar. Over 3000 Indian coins in the collection of Shri T. Desikachari of Tiruchirappalli were received as gift by the National Museum.
The Museum organised special exhibitions entitled 'Siva in Indian Art' and "Recent Acquisitions of Persian, Chinese, Japanese, African, Cambodian and European arts." The Museum also organised an exhibition of Indian Miniature Paintings in
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Brussels on an invitation from the Bibliotheque, Royale, Brussels. The mobile exhibition-van carrying an exhibition "Architects of India's Glory", was circulated to a large number of schools and colleges in Delhi and its environs and was specially taken and presented to the delegates to the All India Museums Conference held at Mathura during October, 1974 and also at the 7th National Jamboree of the Bharat Scouts and Guides at Faridabad during November, 1974.
Under the scheme of propagation of culture among students in schools and colleges, 150 kits have been produced jointly by National Museum and University of Delhi. Of these, 53 have been presented to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan.
A number of lectures were organised at the Museum. The following publications were also brought out :
(1) A comprehensive volume on 'Nataraja' by Shri C. Sivaramamurti;
(2) Birds and Animals in Indian sculpture by Shri C. Sivaramamurti; and
(3) Guide to the National Museum Galleries.
The Museum's modelling unit continued to prepare plasterreplicas of masterpieces of Indian sculptures from the Museum's collection for sale to visitors as well as for supply to educational and cultural institutions on request.
The Central Conservation Laboratory The Central Conservation Laboratory of the National Museum continued to advise and assist museums in India in conserving their important objects. The Government of Sikkim was helped in the transfer of Wall-painting from one of their monasteries. Assistance in conservation matters was rendered to Iran, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad The collection of the museum consists of art objects drawn from all over the world and includes some rare and valuable manuscripts. The museum's library contains more than 55,000 printed books and 7,700 manuscrips.
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During the year under review, the museum continued its activities in carrying out improvements in the display arrangements in various galleries, re-organisation of the manuscripts and calligraphy section, arms and textile galleries, preservation and treatment of the art objects of the museum, etc.
Indian Museum, Calcutta The Indian Museum, which is administered by a Board of Trustees, comprises six sections, viz. Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industrial Botany.
The museum took up the setting up of a Java-Cambodia Bay in its premises which is nearing completion. Arrangements for setting up a Thanka-Gallery are also in progress.
An exhibition on reproduction from Rembrandt was arranged by the Museum during the period under report.
The anthropological section of the museum took up the scheme Survey of Material Culture and Art of the Tribal People of Eastern India". Preliminary investigation was made in Jaypore area of Koraput district of Orissa and a short programme, of field work was completed among the "Gadaba" tribe. Ten significant anthropological specimens have been classified.
The library of the Museum continued to offer facilities for study to a large number of scholars and students. The Museum also arranged lectures by several distinguished scholars.
Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta During the year under review, the Victoria Memorial Hall continued its activities by way of improving and augmenting the National Leaders Gallery apart from taking up other routine activities. Steps were taken to put on display additional exhibits in the form of documents, photographs of national leaders and events of India's struggle for independence. The latest addition to the Portraits Gallery has been a three-quarter size painting in oil of Shri Bipin Chandra Pal. Two additional show cases have also been installed depicting rare photographic representations of several phases of the life and activities of Jawaharlal Nehru.
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Special exhibitions on selected water-colours by Miss Emily Eden during the period 1836-1842 and on the transfer of power in Mughal India, were arranged by the museum.
In the light of the recommendations of a committee of experts set up by the Government, it has been decided to convert the Victoria Memorial into a period museum of the Indian history relating to the eighteenth and nineteenth century.
Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi During the year under report, the redesigning of display arrangements in the museum made remarkable progress. An exhibition on the theme 'Building a New India' was put up on the eve of the tenth death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. This exhibition provided a vivid description of task of social and economic reconstruction on which India embarked on attainment of freedom under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru. An exhibition on Jawaharlal Nehru's foreign policy and his quest for national security and peace has also been mounted. It is further planned to portray in various galleries the story of India's freedom struggle and Nehru's role in it.
The new library building, which was opened on January 27, 1974, has made it possible to develop the resources of the library and its services to readers. New acquisitions from April 1 to October 31, 1974, totalled 1,223 volumes. The library has also acquired 781 volumes of the Pioneer of Lucknow from 1865 to 1949, and one volume of Motherland (1921-22), a weekly edited by Mazharul Haque, an eminent leader of the Non-cooperation Movement in Bihar.
Microfilming of the old issues of several newspapers was undertaken. The Library also collected private papers of some eminent persons and freedom fighters.
Between 1st April 1974 to 16th January, 1975, 175 interviews were recorded for the Oral History Project bringing the total number of recordings made to 1570 (with 549 persons).
A new series of lectures on 'Science in India since Independence' was started on the tenth death anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. The series comprises thirteen lectures by eminent Indian Scientists.
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Indian War Memorial Museum, Delhi The Indian War Memorial Museum situated at Red Fort, Delhi, exhibits arms, ammunition, equipment and uniforms used in the 1914-18 War. The Museum had to remain closed to the public during the current year on account of the major repairs which are being carried out to its roof and building.
Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Museum, Delhi A mausoleum-cum-museum in memory of the late President Dr. Zakir Hussain is being set up. The museum building is nearing completion, the mausoleum having been completed in 1972. The museum will contain, among other things, the personal belongings of Dr. Zakir Hussain including his collection of geological specimens.
National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi The educational programmes organised by the Gallery to educate the general public and students about modern art and sculptures were intensified during the period under review. A large number of school- students availed themselves of planned guided-tours of the galleries, which included showing of slides and films. A programme of instruction in art-appreciation was arranged for teachers and students at different academic levels and illustrated talks on various topics were provided. A special art appreciation session was organised for primary school teachers deputed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
105 art objects were added to the collection of the Gallery and 10 paintings were restored by the Gallery's Restoration Laboratory during the period under review. The weekly screening of art films for the general public was continued.
Handbooks, catalogues on exhibitions, colour reproductions of paintings of the Kangra School and colour picture-postcards of representative works of some eminent artists were also brought out by the Gallery during the period.
Gandhi Darshan Samiti, New Delhi The Gandhi Darshan exhibition was reopened on the 2nd October, 1970, under the management of Gandhi Darshan Samiti with the following five theme-pavilions; 'My Life is my Message',
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'India of My Dreams'; 'Satyagraha Darshan'; 'Truth is God'; and 'Constructive Programme'. It continued to draw a large number of visitors.
Special programmes are organised every year on important days like, Bapu Nirvan Day, Jallianwala Bagh Week, Gandhiji's. Birthday and Nehru Jayanti. Special features of these programmes are bhajans, kirtans, film-shows, mass-spinning, and cultural shows. A cyclorama made of clay modelling depicting the freedom struggle of India from Raja Rammohun Roy to the achievement of independence named 'India's Freedom Struggle' has been added to the exhibition.
Some demonstration units like, weaving, spinning, hand-made paper, and pottery are running on a modest scale.
Under the programme of conducted tours, a large number of people from the 'Jhuggi-jhompri' colonies as well as school children are being invited to Gandhi Darshan.
Financial Assistance to Private Museums Under this scheme, financial assistance, is given to private museums in the country for minor extensions and special repairs to the existing museum buildings, purchase of display and laboratory equipments and bringing out of publications, on the basis of the applications received through the State Governments and Union Territories Administration. The scheme also provides for financial assistance to a few scholars for research in the field of museology. It has not been possible to extend any assistance towards building activities under the scheme this year, but several museums have been aided for bringing out publications and other approved purposes. It is proposed to spend Rs. 30 lakhs, on this scheme during the fifth plan period.
National Library, Calcutta The Joint Committee of Both the Houses of Parliament to consider the National Library, Bill, 1972 to provide for the administration of the National Library, Calcutta presented its report to the Lok Sabha. on 26th July, 1974. The Bill is now awaiting the consideration of Lok Sabha.
The Committee of Management which was set up by the Government of India last year to advise the Department of Culture and the Acting Librarian on the functioning of the National
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Library, had a number of meetings. The Department of Culture has initiated action on some of the suggestions made by the Committee.
Efforts are being made to reorganise the Library on functional lines, as recommended by the Reviewing Committee.
The Library initiated the Extension Lecture Series during the year and eminent authorities delivered lectures in the Library during the year.
On the occasion of the completion of the twenty five years of the gift of the Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay Collection to the Library, the Library organised an exhibition.
On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Foundation of the Maharashtra Mandal, the Library organised an Exhibition of printed materials on Marathi Language and literature. The exhibition was declared open by the Governor of West Bengal on 19th December, 1974.
Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna is an institution of national importance, containing precious manuscripts and important printed books in oriental languages specially in Arabic and Persian languages. It has world wide reputation for its unique collection of manuscripts in Arabic and Persian languages specimen of calligraphy and paintings. Therefore, our main field of activities are to preserve and enlarge the rare collection, and provide research facilities to scholars and institutions.
During the year the Library continued to expand its activities and acquired several manuscripts and books and steps were also taken to preserve the works and Manuscripts in its collection. Research facilities were provided to scholars and Students in the field of Oriental learning.
Delhi Public Library Delhi Public Library consists of Central Library, 4 Branch Libraries, 7 Sub-Branches, 8 Community Libraries, 16 Deposit Stations and 5 Mobile Library Vans serving 57 areas in the Union Territory once a week. Among its special services may be mentioned a Grarmopbone Records Library, a Braille Library for
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the Blind, a Library for the inmates of the Central Jail, Tihar, and Hospital Libraries in Hindu Rao Hospital, G.B. Pant Hospital, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The Library is thus providing library service at 98 points in the Union Territory of Delhi.
During the period under report 20,554 volumes were added to the Library up to 31st October, 1974 raising the net bookstocks to 5,43,820 out of which 3,10,499 were in Hindi, 1,29,714 in English, 69,243 in Urdu, 26,922 in Punjabi, 1,894 in Sindhi, 402 in Bengali and 5,146 in Braille. The registered membership of the Library stood at 1,20,927 on 31-10-1974. The total number of books issued up to 31st October, 1974 was 13,17,564. During this period 39,125 volumes were got bound.
About 30,411 Adults, and 4,545 Children participated in the Cultural Activities (e.g., lectures, discussions, dramas, film shows and Television viewings etc.) organised by the Library. The Library had 2,161 Gramophone Records which were, borrowed about 16,014 times up to 31st October, 1974.
National Archives of India During 1974-75, the National Archives of India undertook a number of development projects in addition to attending its regular non-plan programmes. Some projects covered the old ground but on an expanded scale. The following were the major activities of the Department :
Accessioning : During the year 8,200 files of the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs were accessioned. Besides 34 Bills Passed by the various State Legislatures were received for custody. The Department acquired the following valuable collections during the year.
(1) Papers belonging to the collections of Raja Mahendra Pratap, Banarsi Das Chaturvedi, Satya Bhakt and Gooroodas Banerjee.
(2) Amir Nama. Nadir-i-nikat. Hidaytnama-i-malgnzari and some original Parwanas, four relating to the Tonk State and two to Akbarabad (Agra).
(3) Microfilm copies of records from abroad comprise 1 roll of papers of Lord Macdonell (ex-Governor of U.P.), 4 Rolls of
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Willingdon Papers, 3 rolls of Haig Papers, 1 roll of Tod manuscripts, Prithivi Raj Rassu, 5 rolls of 'Indian' (1935-40) and 1 roll of 'Indian Pioneer' (1929-30).
Towards Freedom : This project has been taken up jointly With the Indian Council of Historical Research for publication of records pertaining to the transfer of power in India. The project aims at publication in 10 volumes of records. Portions of the correspondence from Dr. Rajendra Prasad collections for the year 1942 have been transcribed.
Publications: Volume X, XI, & XIX of Fort William India House correspondence was completed. The Department Journal 'Indian Archives' Volume XXI No. I came out of the press.
Repairs and Reprography : Besides rehabilitation of brittle records, the microfilming of Jayarkar Collection was also undertaken. The Mobile Camera of Archives visited Bangalore to microfilm the records of Sringeri Math.
Research and Reference Service : During the year under report 380 scholars including those from abroad availed themselves of research facilities offered by the Department.
Technical Service : As usual, the Department continued to render assistance to institutions and individuals regarding preservation of books, manuscripts in their custody. At the request of Government of West Bengal, technical officers of National Archives of India visited Habardwari Palace at Murshidabad to inspect the manuscripts and records housed there. Suggestions were made for their proper up keep.
Indian Historical Records Commission : The Indian Historical. Commission has been reconstituted. It is now a compact body representing a broad spectrum of scholarly opinion.