State museum
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 17 2024:
Manipur State Museum may soon become an idyllic place of attraction for visitors as it is set to be transformed into a modem museum.
Apart from the existing eight galleries, two more avant-garde galleries will be added once the plan for transformation of the modem museum comes into reality.
According to the Curator of the Manipur State Museum Mrinashree Mairenbam, a proposal for the said initiative has already been submitted to the Ministry of Culture.
Saying that the two galleries which will be added in the museum are the Royal Gallery and the Traditional Textiles Gallery, she explained that many rare objects and artifacts of the State's royal families and the textiles of the ethnic tribes/ communities of the State will be showcased there with modem technologies like 3D effects/hologram/censored lighting system and sounds with push buttons.
The Curator added that the initiative will go a long way in displaying the unique and significant artistic, cultural and historical articles and heritage of the State to the visitors for study and educational purposes besides giving a boon in their preservation.
As of now, the Manipur State Museum which was inaugurated by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on September 23, 1969 has a total number of eight galleries, namely Ethnological Gallery, Archaeological Gallery, Jalan's Gallery, Art Gallery, Natural History Gallery, Children Gallery, Musical Instrument Gallery and Hiyang Hiren (Royal Boat) Shed.
While underscoring the importance of a museum, Mrinashree maintained that people should take a paradigm shift on the conventional way of considering the objects and artifacts stored in museums merely as objects of entertainment.
She continued that the old artefacts, objects or the materials stored or displayed in a museum have great significance as they reveal their historical accounts, cultural heritage and religious values to educate the people, specially younger generations.
When asked about the steps, if any, to take the Manipur State Museum to a greater height, the Curator exuded confidence that the same place could become a perfect centre for learning about Manipur history, culture and ethos embedded in the Manipuri society once the manpower has been strengthened and other requirements are provided.
She asserted that it has been a tough challenge to manage the museum with just seven staff and added that it lacks Assistant Curators, Guides and ticket sellers among others as no new staff have been recruited till date after the retirement of the previous ones.
Further conveying that the Manipur State Museum is one of the best collection centres for artifacts and significant objects in the North East Region of India, Mrinashree disclosed that many rare and important articles cannot be displayed in the museum due to security reasons.
The Curator also maintained that the museum could boost local economy besides being an ideal place for cultural exchange and can provide leisure time if it is enhanced by expanding its campus and opening facilities like cafeteria, garden etc.
In her message for the International Museum Day which falls annually on May 18, she appealed to all to be aware of the roles played by the Manipur State Museum in the State and India as a whole and call for collective efforts to promote the same.