Muse Ology

SEC ASSIGNMENT
Museum and Museology
Submitted By: Manvendra Singh Thakur
Q.) What are the marked continuities and discontinuities from the Past that continue to
influence and transform the Museum as an institution in India?
‘Past’, ‘Historical’, ‘Aesthetics’, ‘Ancient glory’, and so on are the words that come to our
mind generally, when we think about museums. The concept of a historical museum is rooted
in understanding the past through artifacts and ideas. Museums evoke curiosity and wonder,
providing a window into the past. However, Museums serve a larger purpose than
showcasing whatever which has been associated with the past. Institutions like that of
Museums are responsible for creating a consciousness around us; making and unmaking
suppositions. They are not just passive buildings but are actively influenced by the present
sociopolitical, economic, and cultural dimensions.
The two processes that become critical to any museum are musealization, followed closely by
visualization; where the idea of ‘gaze’ and a ‘trained eye’ of perceiving an object further
shape the larger narrative of History. The very idea to call an artifact an ‘object’, ‘building’,
or an ‘edifice’ as a monument was a complete process within colonization, propaganda, and
understanding.
The museums which first occurred as formal institutions were deeply embedded in colonial
narratives. Museums and archaeology in colonial India were part of a broader system of
colonial power and knowledge production. Over the 19th century, museums in India evolved
from being focused on natural history to becoming multifaceted institutions that also housed
industrial arts, archaeology, and ethnology. Although, they were certainly not the counterpart
to British museums. Museums at Calcutta and Lahore were called ‘Wonderhouse’,
and ‘Ajaibghar’ in the colony. During the colonial period, museums in India were utilized as
instruments of cultural hegemony, superimposing Western epistemological frameworks onto
Indian cultural narratives. The classification of Indian art and artifacts according to Western
taxonomies frequently marginalized their cultural importance, emphasizing instead their
utilitarian or artistic value.
Thus, when India started to curate its museums, reclaiming its spaces and redefining
narratives became crucial. However, Tapati Guha Thakurta argues that Indian museums have
not been able to break away from the stereotypical idea of wonderhouses and ajaibghars to
become centers of disciplinary specializations. For instance, A small wooden replica of
the Khajuraho temple is what one sees at the main entrance of the Central Museum of Indore
as if even the curators know that the erotic sculptures are what would interest people rather
than its historical and cultural dimensions. The sense of awe and degree of alienation
observed among audiences in Indian museums along with the average time observing objects,
proves the above argument.
Indian Art Historian, Kavita Singh argues that the Museums of India Display methodology
perpetuates a colonial legacy, influencing the interpretation of artifacts and India's historical
narrative. The museum's bifurcated classification system, where lower galleries are organized
chronologically and upper galleries by material, echoes colonial-era museum practices.
Consequently, artifacts are often displayed ahistorically, with their material properties taking
precedence over their cultural context. While she gives the example of the National Museum
to assert her argument, the same display methodology can be observed in the Central
Museum of Indore where the artifacts are organized based on their material properties rather
than cultural contexts. For instance, all the coins are arranged in a single box, regardless of
their era and cultural context their engravings suggest.
The educational philosophy in many Indian museums continues to reflect colonial
pedagogical goals, which focused on civilizing and educating the 'native' populations.
Exhibits are often designed to impart lessons on 'great' Indian civilizations in a manner that is
still somewhat disconnected from the lived realities and diverse perspectives of contemporary
Indian society. While imparting such education, the exclusion of Islamic and medieval art
from the museum's narrative is problematic; as it just evokes the colonial narrative of
reminiscing ‘ancient glory’ associated with the Indian civilizations which were doomed with
the advent of foreign despots during the Middle Ages.
Withstanding these continuities, India's museums, especially those established after gaining
independence, carry immense symbolic value. They represent India's declaration of autonomy
and cultural distinctness. The fact that many of these museums are situated in major cities
highlights their significance.
Indian museums offer a fresh lens through which to view the country's rich cultural legacy.
By elevating Indian artifacts to the status of art and masterpieces, these institutions challenge
traditional colonial narratives that once relegated Indian creative expressions to mere
novelties or crafts. For example, the Central Museum of Indore dedicates an entire gallery to
the exquisite Malwa Sculptures and the vibrant art of the Bhil and Gond communities. This
spotlight on indigenous art forms underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating
India's diverse cultural heritage, which was often overlooked or undervalued by colonial
powers.
In conclusion, Tapati Guha Thakurta’s words “Museums in India must reclaim their spaces as
sites of living histories. They are not just about preserving the past but must engage with
contemporary cultural politics and the broader social fabric” carries significant importance. It
emphasizes the fact colonial legacy of museum curation in India has led to a simplistic,
Eurocentric presentation of Indian history and culture. Thus, Indian museums must evolve
beyond their conventional function as guardians of heritage, embracing a more dynamic role
that intersects with contemporary cultural discourse and societal realities. By doing so, they
can transform into thriving hubs of cultural narrative, influencing India's evolving identity
and charting its cultural trajectory.

Muse Ology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Muse Ology

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Muse Ology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SEC ASSIGNMENT

Museum and Museology

Submitted By: Manvendra Singh Thakur

You might also like