The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : State Museum beckons

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

State Museum beckons

Special Correspondent

Inauguration of six galleries today

WORTHY TO WATCH: The reconstructed four-pillar mantapam.

HYDERABAD: Cairo and the British Museum in London are the only two places where mummy conservation experts are said to be available in the world now.

The Government repeatedly sought one expert from there to enhance the lifespan of the mummy in the State Museum here, Nasihu, a 16-year-old daughter of Pharoah VI, but the response was negative.

Meanwhile, the State Archaeology Department has made its own arrangements to protect Nasihu, one of such six such rare pieces existing in India gifted by Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, from decay. It has been shifted and kept in a separate gallery with proper security under a Rs. 51-lakh renovation programme.

This is one of the six new galleries added to the stately Nizam-style museum which are being thrown open to the public on Wednesday marking its platinum jubilee coinciding with World Museum Day.

The Governor, S. K. Shinde, will cut the ribbon in the presence of the Consul-General of Iran, Hossein Ravish, and the School Education & Archaeology Minister, N. Rajyalaklshmi.

An attraction at the new galleries is a four-pillar mantapam obtained from the submerged areas of the Srisailam dam belonging to the Varadarajaswamy temple and transplanted.

The other galleries deal with "decorative art" from pre-historic times to the 20th century comprising 400 items; Buddhist sculptures, including those brought from the latest finds at Phanigiri; cannons of 52 types used since the 14th century and; inscriptions kept on display for the first time.

Gesture to children

Visitors are in for better understanding of the displayed items as name-boards have been installed for the first time in Telugu, English and Urdu.

As a gesture, free entry will be allowed to children for a week.

Ms. Rajyalakshmi and J. Kedareswari, Director, Archaeology, have grandiose plans for the museum, said to be the second best in India.

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