CHAPTER IV MUSEUMS, ART GALLERIES ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES
The institutions and programmes of the Ministry in the field of museums and art galleries, archives and libraries are:
(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 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 Rammohan Roy Library Foundation and Central Secretariat Library including Central Language Library (Tulsi Sadan).
National Museum, New Delhi,During the year under review the National Museum continued to expand its collections by purchase of art objects and also through exchange and gifts received. A Flemish tapestry from the Philadelphia Museum and five stone sculptures from the Leiden Museum were received under the exchange programme of art objects, and various objects from the Heeramaneli collection Were also received as a gift from New York.
The Museum organised a number of exhibitions during the year including a special exhibition on Tulsidas to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the Ramacharitamanas. The Museum also organised an exhibition of Indian Miniature paintings in Hong Kong and Japan on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of our independence.
Under the Cultural Exchange Programmes, a number of officers of the Museum were sent abroad to study the collections, etc., in various museum of international standing.
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The fifth short-term course in museology was inaugurated in December, 1973. In collaboration with the National Museum, the Delhi University organised a refresher course under the Plan scheme "Propagation of culture among students in schools and colleges."
The Museum has acquired and equipped a mobile exhibition van for circulation of exhibition to educational institutions, schools and colleges. The first mobile exhibition on "Architects of India's Glory" was inaugurated by the Vice-President of India on the 7th January, 1974.
The Museum also organised a number of lectures during the year. Notable participants in these lectures were Smt. D. V. Lucretia, Smt. Krishna Riboud, Dr. Gurdip Singh, Prof. W. G. Solheim and Dr. S. B. Roy.
The Central Conservation Laboratory The Central Conservation Laboratory continues to help various museums in India in their problems in the field of conservation. The preliminary work regarding the detachment of the murals in Shakti temple at Ganddehra village in Chamba has been completed. The Central Conservation Laboratory has also undertaken several research schemes including the use of inhibitors for the protection of metals; identifications of fibres used in the Central Asian Textiles; comparative study of preservation for murals; analyses of material from the excavations of Atranjikhera.
Salar Jung Museum, HyderabadThe Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, entered the thirteenth year of its existence as a Central Museum under the administrative control of an autonomous Board with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh as its ex- officio Chairman. The collection of the museum comprises art objects drawn from various parts of the world, and includes some rare and valuable manuscripts. The museum's library contains more than 55,000 printed books and 7,700 manuscripts.
Among the various educational, and other cultural activities undertaken by the museum during the period, mention may be made of two temporary exhibitions held this year, visits to the museum by students from various educational institutions, carrying out of improvements in the display arrangements in the various galleries, and the reorganisation of the manuscripts and calligraphy section, arms and textiles galleries, preservation and treatment of various art objects of the museums, etc.
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A bronze statue of Salar Jung III to whom the Museum owe its existence, was, unveiled by the President of India on the 25th September, 1973. A monograph on the ancestral history of the Salar lungs was. also published.
Indian Museum, Calcutta The Indian Museum, Calcutta which is administered by an autonomous Board of Trustees, comprises six sections viz. Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industrial Botany.
Under the publications programme of the museum, the following publications were brought out during the year:
(i) Indian Museum, Bulletin, Vol. VI
(ii) Mughal Court Paintings by Dr. N. Roy
(iii) Contributions to the knowledge of the Mollusem fauna of Mangmagan lower Burma by Dr. H. G. Ray.
(iv) Bicolour picture post-cards;
The Modelling section continues to supply plaster replicas of selected objects from the Museum's collection for sale as well as to the educational and cultural institutions on request. The mobile exhibition on Indian archaeology set up by the Museum held its exhibitions at Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Delhi and Chandigarh.
During the year under report, a number of Plan schemes regarding setting up of the new galleries, improvement of display arrangements. development of the conservation laboratory, etc., were implemented by the museum.
Victoria Memorial Hall, CalcuttaDuring the year under review, Victoria Hemorial Hall continued its activities as a museum of modern Indian history. By way of improving the National Leaders Gallery steps-were taken to put on display additional exhibits in the form of documents, extracts from newspapers and photographs of leaders and events of the nation's struggle for independence. Two special exhibitions on selected water- colour sketches in original by Emily Eden and of Samuel Davis on India and Bhutan were held in April and September. A number of lectures bearing on several aspects of modern Indian history were delivered.
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The publications brought out during the period under report include (i) a descriptive catalog of Arabic, Persian and Urdu manuscripts in the collection of Victoria Memorial; (ii) a set of five coloured postcards of selected art objects; (iii) an illustrated booklet containing autographs and photoprints of 23 national leaders; (iv) A descriptive catalog of busts and statuary; and (v) Annual Bulletin of the Victoria Memorial, Vol V.
During the period under report the Experts Committee set up to advise the Government on the reorientation of the Victoria Memorial Hall, as a period museum submitted its recommendations after holding a number of meetings. The report of the Committee is under consideration of the Government.
Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi As a part of redesigning of the display in the Museum a permanent exhibition entitled "The Framing of the Indian Constitution" was put up in May, 1973. This exhibition unfolds the story of the making of the Constitution from the inauguration of the Constituent Assembly in December 1946, to the final adoption of the Constitution, brings out the role of Jawaharlal Nehru in this historic task.
The accessions to the library included 2, 153 books and 30 volumes of newspapers. The special collection on Jawaharlal Nehru was further augmented by addition of 43 new titles, bringing the total to 853. A large number of collections of private papers and non-official records were acquired during the year to enrich research resources on modern Indian history.
Apart from micro-filming the old issues of several newspapers during the period, reprography service unit microfilmed the corres- pondence portion of the papers of Jawaharlal Nehru for the pre1947 period and diaries of Gangadhar Rao Deshpande.
Between 1st April and 20th December, 1973, 38 persons were interviewed from the oral history project. The number of recordings made was 1301 of about 500 persons. The new library building in the precincts of Teen Murti House, the construction of which was started in September 1971, was inaugurated in January 1974. With the commissioning of the new wing, the present building will be utilised entirely for the expansion of the museum.
Indian War Memorial museum, Delhi The Indian War Memorial Museum situated at Red Fort, Delhi, exhibits arms, ammunition, equipment and uniforms used
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in the first World War. This remained closed to the Public during most of the year under report on repairs to its building.
Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Museum, Delhi It was decided to set up a mausoleum-cum-museum to commemorate the memory of late President Dr. Zakir Hussain and the Museum is still under construction. 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 Gallery as a depository of contemporary art, continued to grow in popularity. During the period under review 89 art object were acquired. Under the educational programme students of 77 schools including some from outside Delhi, were taken on guided tours of the Gallery. A number of reproductions in colour, informative brochures and picture post-cards in colour were brought out and film shows on topics connected with the arts continued to be held for the, public. The following exhibitions were arranged under the special exhibition programme :--
(a) an exhibition of new acquisitions was held in January, 1973;
(b) an exhibition of Soviet Art was held from 29th November to 13th December, 1973. In this exhibition 131 selected paintings, graphics, sculptures and handicrafts from the Central Asian Soviet Republics were displayed;
(c) a new graphic wing has been permanently displayed which contains one hundred drawings and prints by well- known Indian and International artists.
Gandhi Darshan, Raj Ghat, New Delhi The Gandhi Darshan exhibition was re-opened on the 2nd October, 1973 under the management of Gandhi Darshan Samiti. It has continued to draw a large number of visitors including foreign dignitaries, delegations, and school children.
Special programmes including temporary exhibitions were held as a part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of India's Independence. Special programmes were also held from 10th to 13th April in memory of Jallianwala Bagh on 2nd October in
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connection with, Gandhi Jayanti, and on 14th November to celebrate the birth, anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. On the last occasion, a temporary exhibition on Jawaharlal Nehru was also installed in the 'India of My Dreams" pavilion of the Gandhi Darshan. Sixteen panels made of clay depicting the important episodes from India's freedom movement, prepared by the potters of Krishna Nagar in West Bengal, have been installed in a pavilion for public view.
Under a scheme of acquainting the younger generation with the life and message of Mahatma Gandhi, schools in Delhi are being invited to send their students to visit Gandhi Darshan.
Financial Assistance to Private Museums Financial assistance, is extended to private museums in the country for minor building extensions and repairs, purchase of display and laboratory equipment, bringing out of publications and training of museum staff, on the basis of the applications received through the State Governments etc. concerned. The Scheme also, provides for financial assistance to a few scholars for research in the fields of museology. During 1973-74, an amount of Rs. 3.37 lakhs is likely to be paid as grants.
National Archives of India The following were the major activities of the Department during the year:
"Towards Freedom"--Project Work under the project "Towards Freedom", which has been taken up jointly with the Indian Council of Historical Research for publication of documents pertaining to partition and transfer of power (1937-47) continued to make good progress. Selection of excerpts for the years 1938-40 from the files of Home (Political), Secret (Political), and, Reforms Department have been completed. The information thus collected was supplemented by consulting private papers and newspapers clippings.
Standing Committee of the Indian, Historical Records Commission The 2nd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Indian Historical Records Commission was held to review the procedures of the Commission and to lay down policy regarding the acquisition of microfilm copies of historical materials of Indian interest from foreign countries. The Standing Committee made
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recommendations regarding reorganisation of the Commission and these recommendations are under considerations of Government.
Research & Reference Service During the year under report, as many as 614 scholars, including those from abroad, availed themselves of the research facilities afforded by the Department.
Technical Service As usual the Department continued to render assistance to institutions and individuals regarding preservation of books" records, manuscripts etc. in their custody.
AccessionDuring the year under report, the Department accessioned files of the Railway Board, the erstwhile Foreign & Political Department, Legislative Department and of the Department of Agriculture. 85 authenticated copies of bills from States, assented to by the, President, were also received.
`2 Acquisition
The Department acquired from India and abroad, valuables collections relating to eminent persons, namely:
(1) G. B. Pant papers received from the G. B. Pant Memorial Society, New Delhi.
(2) Papers from the collection of Shri Banarsi Das Chaturvedi;
(3) Papers of Dr. Rajendra Prasad from Shri Mrityunjay Prasad;
(4) Papers relating to the activities of the I.N.A. in Malaysia from Shri Jai Singh of Haryana.
Under the record management programme, the Department appraised 60,000 files relating to the Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Education and Department of Health, some branches of the Central Board of Revenue and those of Mysore Residency.
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The Department continued the programme of imparting training in Archives keeping during the period. 9 Diploma Course trainees successfully completed their training and a fresh batch of 17 trainees joined the 1 year Diploma Course this year.
The reference media prepared during the year included summary inventory of the files of the Central Board of Revenue (1930-35) and letters to and from Secretary of State Home Public (1863-95) and files of External Affairs (1925-55). Besides this, further progress was made in the Descriptive Listing of Persian Correspondence of 1802 and 1804. The work on Descriptive docketing and classification of documents of Inayat Jang Collection continued.
Compilation of the Registers for the year 1960-61 and 1963-64 has been completed, and work on the Registers for the year 1962-63 is in progress, which is expected to be completed very shortly.
Under scheme I of the Publication Programme, Vol. X of Fort William-India House Correspondence has been completed while further progress has been made in printing of volumes VII, XI, XVI, XVIII and XIX of the same series. Vols. VII and XI are in the final stages and are expected to come out of the Press very shortly. The text duly edited, for our journal "The Indian Archives" Vol. XXI No. I, was sent to the Press and the first proof batch for the same is being examined. Material collection for No. 2 of the same Volume is in progress. The proofs of Annual Report of the Department for 1972 have also been received from Government of India Press, Coimbatore, and are being examined. The text of the Vol. IV of Mutiny Papers in the National Archives of India, Bhopal, has been sent to the Press and the proofs are awaited. Reprinting of Vol. II of Calendar of Persian Correspondence by offset process has been completed.
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The National Archives of India organised an exhibition "March Towards Freedom 1919-47", of records, documents, photographs, press- clippings etc. in connection with the 25th anniversary of India's Independence. The Department also organised an exhibition of original documents and contemporary photographs on "Mahatma Gandhi's Mission in Champaran". A small but very interesting exhibition on "Maulana Azad and the Provisional Government of Kabul" was held towards the end of the period under report.
The significant activities of the Library during the period are outlined below :
A Committee of Management was appointed by the Government of India in July, 1973 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Niharranjan Ray to look after the affairs of the Library. The Committee met at intervals during the period under report and made several important recommendations to the Ministry.
The Joint Committee of Parliament on. National Library Bill, 1972 visited Calcutta, during the period under review. The Committee also held its meetings at Bombay, Poona and Delhi during the period and heard the opinions of leading librarians and scholars on the Bill.
The newly created Divisions of the Library are (a) Science and Technology (b) Urdu (c) Rare Books (d) Oriya and (e) Printed Catalog.
The total number of volumes in English, accessioned during the Period under review, was 4,145. The processing (English) Division of the Library processed a total number, of 4,524 monographs. the total number of maps accessioned during the period was 1,358, including receipts under the Delivery of Blocks Acts.
The different Indian language Divisions of the Library continued to do the work of selection, acquisition and Processing of publication in Indian languages (including acquisition under the Delivery of Blocks Act). The total number of publications acces-
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sioned in Indian languages was 5,795. During this period three cumulated bibliographies in Indian languages were compiled. The total number of Indian Official Publications accessioned was 1,969, and the total for Afro-Asian languages (excluding Indian languages) and European languages/other than English, was 383 volumes.
The Reference Division enrolled 4,824 regular members (apart from issuing casual daily tickets to 4,254 readers), while the Circulation Division had 1,466 new members. As many as 1,88,159 readers attended the Reading Room of, the Library., The total number of Volumes issued to them from the Reading Room counter was 76,569 excluding the reference books.
As many as 2,033 volumes of books were received as gifts from different sources, both Indian and foreign. 178 books were received on exchange basis.
The Bibliography Division compiled as many as 35 bibliographies comprising a total number of 2,908 entries. As in the past, material for the Index Translationum, volume 26 (1973); was also compiled. Work on the compilation, revision and correction of entries of the bibliography of Indology-Indian History (Modern period by Dr. N. K. Sinha) was continued during the period.
A total number of 8,296 volumes were, bound, 2,403 mended, 6,231 lettered, and 9.777 volumes were labelled, The Preservation Division also rendered technical assistance, to a number of institutions in the art of preserving books and personnel deputed by them are trend in the techniques of binding and restoration of publications.
The Reprography Division microfilmed as many as 68,564 exposures and also made 2,303 photo-copies. In addition, positive printing of 1,614 metres of film was done. These microfilms and photocopies were made at the request of various institutions as well as individual scholars from India or abroad.
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Under the Plan project "Microfilming of Rare Books and Materials", the microfilming of old files of The Bangalee, The Times of India and rare books from the Asutosh Collection was continued.
Exhibitions held by the library included (1) West Germany Books Exhibition, (2) Tagore Exhibition and (3) Exhibition of books and photographs from the U.S.S.R. It also assisted in the preparation of exhibition on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and other revolutionaries abroad, and the National Gallery of Portraits.
The following monthly issues and annual volumes of the of the Indian National Bibliography (Roman script) were published:
(i) 9 Monthly issues March to November, 1973 (the issue for December 1973 has also been sent to press).
(ii) 2 Annual Volumes 1966 & 1971.
The following language insicules of the Indian National Biblography were also brought out:
(i) Desuja Grantha Suchi (Malayalam Vibhag) 1971
(ii) Rashtriya Grantha Suchi (Gujarati Vibhag) June 1972 to February 1973 (Monthly)
(iii) Rashtriya Grantha Suchi (Marathi Vibhag) 1966
(iv) Rashtriya Grantha Suchi (Kannada Vibhag) 1971-72
Delhi Public Library, Delhi Delhi Public Library consists of the Central Library, 4 Branch Libraries, 7 Sub-Branches, 8 Community Libraries, 14 Deposit Stations, and 3 Mobile Library Vans serving 53 areas in the Union Territory of Delhi once a week. Among its special service s may be mentioned a Gramophone Record Library, A Braille Library, a library for the inmates of the Central Jail,
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Tihar, and Hospital Libraries in Hindu Rao Hospital, G. B. Pant Hospital, and All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. The Library is in all rendering its services at 91 points in the Union Territory of Delhi.
During the period under report 17,371 volumes were added to the Library up to 31st October, 1973 raising the net bookstock to 5,41,492 out of which 3,16,147 were in Hindi 1,24,551 in English, 67,178 in Urdu, 26,834 in Punjabi, 1803 in Sindhi, 174 in Bengali and 4805 in Braille.
During the period under report about 31,205 adults, and 7261 children participated in the Cultural Activities (e.g. lectures, discussions, dramas, film shows and television viewings etc.) organised by the Library.
Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Patna In addition to the annual grant of Rs. 50,000 from the Government of Bihar, the Library was given in 1973-74 a total grant of Rs. 4.20 lakhs from the Central Government for maintenance and development. 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 in its collection.
Central Library, Town Hall, Bombay lThis is one of the three libraries which are at present autho- rised to receive books and newspapers published in the country under the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954 as amended in 1956.
The Central-Government is assisting this Library to the extent of two thirds of non-recurring expenditure and half of the recurring expenditure on the delivery of Books Act. Section of the Library. During 1973-74 a grant of Rs. 35,000 was released after adjusting the excess amount paid in the previous years of the 4th Five Year Plan.
T.M.S.S. Library, Thanjavur This Library has a rich collection of over 40,000 manuscripts in Sanskrit, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Modi and other languages which cover a wide range of subjects such as Vedas and Vedanthic Philosophy, Fine Arts, Music, Sculptures and medicine. The proposal of formally declaring this Library as an institute of
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national importance has been deferred for the present, as the Government of Tamil Nadu has not agreed to this Library having a governing body similar to the one for the Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library, Patna. However, the Central Government bad released (up to December 1973) a grant of Rs. 30,000/- to the library.
Raza Library, RampurDecision has been taken in consultation with the Board of Trustees and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, to financially assist and declare the Raza Library, Rampur, as an institution of national importance. Besides free preservation and microfilming services from the National Archives of India, funds to the extent of Rs. 10,000/- had been made available to the library by the Central Government up to December 1973 to enable the library to meet its deficit for 1973-74 and any possible deficit in 1974-75. Action is being taken for enactment of necessary legislation.
Under this scheme, grants-in-aid are given to public Libraries for the purchase of books, equipment and library furniture and also for the construction of library buildings on the recommendations of the State Government/Union Territory Administration concerned. Financial assistance is given on a sharing basis. The Central Government's share is 60% of the non-recurring expenditure for the purchase of books, furniture and equipment and 40 per cent of the expenditure on construction of buildings for libraries, subject to a maximum of Rs,. 30,000. This is a continuing Plan Scheme and a number of libraries have been assisted by release of grants amounting to Rs. 314,700 during the year.
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dhadamsala The requirements of the Library for its recurring expenditure were assessed by an Inter-Ministerial Committee and in pursuance of its recommendations, a sum of Rs. 1.00,000 has been paid to this institution during 1973-74.
Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind, Aligarh The Government of India has been rendering financial assistance to the Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind, Aligarh since 1949-50 for the maintenance of its secretariat, library and publication of Urdu journals etc.
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Integration and Development of the Scheme "Nava-Nalanda Mahavihara and Huen Tsang Memorial Hall"
The completion of construction of the Huen Tsang Memorial Hall at Nalanda Was delayed mainly because of the problem of providing glazed tiles for the roof, and due to paucity of funds. No progress was made about the scheme for integration of this hall with the activities of the Naya-Nalanda Mahavihara, an institution run by the Government of Bihar. This will be taken up in the Fifth Five Year Plan.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation The Ram Rammohun Roy Library Foundation was set up in May, 1972 as an autonomous body registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, with the primary objective of developing adequate library facilities throughout the country and to bring books and reading materials within easy reach of the common people, particularly in rural areas. During the first year of its activities, the Foundation supplied books to 372 district libraries and 70 Nehru Yuvak Kendras at an estimated cost of about Rs. 10,000 lakhs. During the current year the Foundation expects to supply books and other usual material worth about Rs. 35 lakhs to the libraries.
Central Secretariat Library The Central Secretariat library has been reorganised during the year under report and today it has 43 Divisions. It continued to provide reference service and lending facilities to employees of the Ministries, Departments, Attached and Subordinate Offices, Public Undertakings, and Government financed autonomous bodies situated in the capital and the employees of Delhi Administration. Reference service and consultation facilities were also provided to the scholars and researchers from various universities and research institutes from all parts of the country.
During the period under report, 12,525 volumes were added to the Library including 9,521 books, 2,000 Indian official documents and 1,000 foreign official documents. The Library received 948 titles of periodicals including 349 acquired by way of purchase, 249 through exchange and 350 gratis.
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The following three publications continued to be brought out during the period under report:
1. Indian Education Abstracts (Quarterly)
2. Current Educational Literature (Quarterly)
3. Youth Services Abstracts (Half-Yearly).
Collection of books on Modern Indian Languages, to constitute the Tulsi Sadan as part of the 400th Anniversary of the Ramcharitmanas was begun.
The Central Programmes in the field of Archives, Libraries, Museums and Art Galleries included in the Draft Fifth Five Year Plan are:
Allocation
S. Name of School in the Fifth
No. Plan
(Rs. in lakhs)
1 2 3
1. National Archives
(i) Construction of Building
(ii) Expansion of Records Management Programmes
(iii) Expansion of National Register
(iv) Expansion of Repair and Reprorgaphy Units 180.00
(v) List of Records and compilation of reference media
(vi) Acquisition & exchange of micro-films
(vii) Publication of records of Transfer of power
(viii) Setting up of records Centre 30.00
2. National Library, Calcutta 220.00
3. Development of Central Secretariat library into a
Central Library and establishment of Tulsi Sadan-an
Indian Language Library 120.00
4. Development of Public Library services in Delhi
through the Delhi Public Library 100.00
5. Regional field offices for Book procurement and a
compilation of Statistical data on Libraries. 25.00
6. Scheme of Assistance to other Libraries:-
(i) Central Library. Town Hall, Bombay
(ii) Rampur Raza Library Rampur
(iii) Central Library and Archives, Dharmasala
(iv) T.M.S.S. Library, Thanjavur 165.00
(v) Indian Council of World Affairs, Sapru House,
New Delhi
(vi) Financial Assistance to Voluntary Educational Orga-
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1 2 3
nisations for development of Public Libraries.
(vii) Assistance to Manuscript Libraries
7. Assistance to Raja Rammohun Roy Library, Foun-
dation 230.00
8. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi 25.00
9. National Museum, New Delhi 140.00
10. Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad 30.00
11. Indian Museum, Calcutta 30.00
12. Financial Assistance to Private Museums 30.00
13. Establishment of National Trust for acquisition and
preservation of Cultural Property 100.00
14. Central Research Laboratory for preservation of
Cultural Property 40.00
15. National Museum 50.00
16. Other Programmes 147.00
Total 1,662.00
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