Museums in the time of Digital India
As we turn towards 2016, we continue to live in exciting times, perhaps even more challenging times. When the Government is pushing “Digital India” and Facebook is moving towards a movement better known as “internet.org”; when live news has become so addictive that we hardly find anything “new” in the morning papers , and we’re increasingly leading a very well connected online life — in such times, of what importance is history and those thousand-year old artefacts lying in museums for decades?
If you ever stared at these artefacts long enough, you’d realise they’re not even staring back. Year after year, conservation experts meet, and strive to maintain the museum collections. Year after year, museum curators and managers struggle for the funds to keep their jobs alive. Just like the collections they are home to, most Indian museums, are stuck in time.
Just some of the challenges in the industry today:
- Lack of funds
- Lack of professional training
- Very basic infrastructure
- Limited programming
- Limited audience
- Low engagement level with the city
India has around 1000 museums, of which a handful are privately run and managed, the rest are well…just existing. 90% of these museums are state-run.
Most museums don’t have a digital strategy. Forget Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, they still don’t have a website and if you’re just starting to roll your eyes, let me share this : some museums in India, are not even listed on popular travel sites or Wikipedia!
But as India moves towards “Digital India” and the internet economy grows, so do my hopes for the Museums. With initiatives like the Google Cultural Institute, museums will be able to attract and engage with diverse audiences and exploit unknown terrritory.
If you asked me, the revolution has already started. To look at these museums taking up the challenge of re-inventing, is a sheer joy. Here’s my top 5.
- Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
Restored by INTACH, the museum re-opened to the public in 2008. The initial years were defining, and today, the museum is one of Mumbai’s hotspots. Great programming, an active Education Centre, a cafe, and a very well maintained Twitter & Facebook handle make this one my favourite. The museum has also made efforts in introducing technology-based infrastructure, and have really invested in brilliant design.
Website: www.bdlmuseum.org - The Heritage Transport Museum, Manesar
On one of those days when I was driving to Gurgaon, I had purposely slowed down to catch a glimpse of this beautiful vintage car. I had assumed it was for one of those royal weddings, but a month or two later, I chanced upon the news of the opening of The Heritage Transport Museum, a first of its kind in India. There had to be a visit, and what an experience it was! Four floors of sheer beauty complete with exhibit galleries, a restaurant, library and the story of India’s transport-history, told beautifully.
Website: www.heritagetransportmuseum.org/ - The Mehrangarh Museum, Jodhpur
Any tourist’s heaven, Rajasthan has always been on top of the list for those wishing to “explore India”. And the Mehrangarh Museum doesn’t disappoint. If anything, it has been the game-changer for Indian museums, setting the tone for re-alignment. Palace Museums are usually not very engaging, but not this one. Recipient of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award (Conservation), the museum has one of the most well-maintained collections and guided tours. While they haven’t forayed into educational programming, their signature events and eye-catching merchandise lend them a special place in the hearts of visitors.
Website: http://www.mehrangarh.org - Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi
I had just started my stint with heritage in 2009, when I ran into a representative of the KNMA who was so enthusiastic about the museum opening “soon”. As promised, the KNMA updates started flowing into my inbox sometime in 2010, and while they became irregular with time, one cannot ignore the vision and activities spread over their huge space outside Delhi’s biggest and most popular malls. Ironic though. Being in the heritage space, I had limited understanding of Contemporary Art, but having attended just one of their workshops, I yearned for more. Must admit, the location was a huge-put off as during weekends, one would shudder at the thought of being near a mall. The museum however, experimented with varied collections and exhibits, and the undying spirit of the founder to collaborate and bring to the people a rich experience is something you wouldn’t be able to miss. And that’s what makes KNMA endearing.
Website: www.knma.in - Manav Sangrahalaya, Bhopal
This is one of those museums that make you hopeful for state-run museums. The “Museum of Man” is an anthropology museum that will leave you craving for more and more. Their exhibits range from beautiful to exotic, and my favorite remains the “Tribal Habitat” collection. The museum regularly organises lectures, and workshops for children as well and while it is situated in Bhopal, it attracts visitors from all over. The efforts in maintaining a social media presence is what I absolutely love! This, because when I had personally met one of the museum professionals, he had come across as a simple, and intelligent man, albeit a little upset that he had to set up a Facebook account just to be able to be “Admin” on the official page.
Website: www.igrms.com (yes, not nic.in *wink wink* )
