The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Museum galleries in Chennai to be modernised

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Friday, Oct 30, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Museum galleries in Chennai to be modernised

K. Lakshmi

Funds sanctioned under 12th Finance Commission will be used

— Photo: R.Ragu

Set for new look: A view of the Government Museum, Egmore, where repair works are to be undertaken soon.

CHENNAI: Some of the galleries at Government Museum, Egmore, will adorn a new look soon as the Public Works Department (Buildings) is planning to modernise them.

PWD officials said that besides taking up repairs at the main building of the museum, three galleries — Hindu Sculpture, Jain Sculpture and Fish — would be modernised to give them an aesthetic appeal. The strengthening works of the main building would include plugging leaks in the roof, damaged walls and doors. Similar works would be carried out in the galleries. The PWD had recently floated tenders for this purpose.

The project is being taken up with the funds sanctioned towards museum renovation under the 12th Finance Commission. Of the Rs.3.32 crore sanctioned for taking up civil and electrical works in the period 2006-10, Rs.77 lakh had been spent towards renovation of the compound wall of the museum, an official said.

The projects to modernise the galleries and carry out repairs in the main building would cost Rs.2.20 crore, including electrical works. Only contractors who have experience in conserving heritage buildings would be encouraged to execute the project.

“We plan to start the work in November first week and complete it in two months. The galleries would remain closed during this period,” the official said.

Officials at Government Museum said the galleries for modernisation were chosen as those were of primary attraction to visitors.

There are about 400 sculptures in the main building, of which nearly 40 are Jain sculptures. The artefacts would be reorganised with better illumination and wall panelling, and remodelling of showcases would be done. The Government Museum receives about 30,000 visitors every month, including foreigners. The number of foreign visitors is more between September and March, sometimes up to 30% of total visitors.

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