Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National ... - IGRMS

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya 283
Museum. For researchers engaged in architecture, tribal art and religion,
conservation techniques, graphic art, as well as administrative planners the Tribal
Habitat of IGRMS is a laboratory for various practical experience.
Taking note of the success of ‘Tribal Habitat’ experience, more and more
similar open-air exhibitions were created to depict the life and culture of Indian
coastal communities, the people living in desert region of western India, and also
the lengthy stretch of Himalayan region. In developing the exhibits in these
exhibitions, methodology adopted was similar to that of the Tribal Habitat
Exhibition.
Coastal Village open-air exhibition set up in about 20 acres land, represents
dwelling units and related material cultural objects from different coastal parts of
India; viz. Gujarat, Kerala, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. These are
typical traditional house-types, representing lifestyles and cultural identities of
Indian coastal communities. Some eco-friendly structures exhibited in this complex
reflect the socio-economic situation of inhabitants, like the ‘Arapura’ (wooden
cottage), and ‘Palliyodam’ (snake-boat) from Kerala, are the main attractions for
visitors.
Desert Village open air exhibition represents typical dwelling-types from
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. A dwelling complex of Rajputs in this exhibition highlights
the process and degree of their adaptation with environment. Various ethnographic
objects displayed inside the dwelling units depict their life-ways and subsistence
strategies.
One of the interesting and unique items in the Himalayan Village is the typical
stone building - Kothi – a dwelling complex from Shimla re-erected in the campus.
The imposing entrance gate known as Parol or Paraud constructed to protect and
lend beauty to the courtyard is a reminder of the culture and ecology of the
terrain of the Himalaya region. The Choukat, another house-type from Uttaranchal
is said to be earthquake resistant variety.
The IGRMS is fortunate to have about 30 odd painted rock caves within its
campus. These have been transformed into an open-air exhibition titled Rock
Art Heritage. Perhaps IGRMS is one of the few Museums in the world which has
shelters of the Prehistoric Man in its premises with paintings drawn by the prehistoric
dwellers. These are valuable assets not only for researchers but also for
inquisitive general visitors to the IGRMS campus.
The Exhibition Mythological Trail depicts compositions as reflected in myths
and legends of various folk and tribal communities. These are crafted in different
media of terracotta, wood, stone, iron etc. Crafts of various artisan groups,
incarnations of folk deities and traditional paintings form the main attraction of
the exhibition. A 12 ft. tall iron gate with decorative carvings, representing the
origin and technology of iron-smithy (done by Lohars from Bastar), forms an
imposing structure of this exhibition.