INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY~ A Virtual Tour
How wonderful would it be to be surrounded by a collection of beautiful and startling artifacts, historical arts and magnificent cultural importance.
You will find yourself at a place where you see things which you have not seen before.
Even the thought of it sounds aesthetic, right?
Moreover it is an amazing way of getting through time travel.
Museums are no doubt amazing places to actually spend a quality time exploring the immense beauty of history and art.
It is a perfect example of the saying “old is gold”.
Therefore on the 18th day of May it is celebrated as “international museum day” to highlight the importance of the existence of museums since they are a means of cultural exchange and development of the society.
Richard Fortey once said “Museums have no political power, but they do have the possibility of influencing the political process. This is a complete change from their role in the early days of collecting and hoarding the world to one of using the collections as an archive for a changing world. This role is not merely scientifically important, but it is also a cultural necessity.”
Museums are also a great source of knowledge, information and astonishing facts.
It gives us details about a place/country/region including past and the present,
Visiting museums is a way of exploring history In a very practical manner.
According to a data collection by UNESCO, It says there are 95,000 museums across the world.
And 150 of them are in India. National museum at Delhi being the most iconic and largest of all.
The United States is said to have the largest number of museums in the world i.e. approximately 35,000.
CLASSIFICATION OF MUSEUMS:
Museums are nevertheless classified into different categories, based on their diverse origin and sources of their funds.
There are 5 basic types of museums;
1.General museum:
These museums contain collections of more than one subject or field.
They display a wide range of artifacts from all fields not emphasizing on a single subject.
At regional and local level, the general museum signifies the cultural and regional importance of the particular region, it may be through food, cultural equipment, scientific evidence and other details and information.
Some of the general museums found in India are:
- National Gandhi Museum, Delhi
- Indian Museum, Kolkata
- Mani Bhawan, Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Mumbai
- Government Museum, Chennai
- Napier Museum, Thiruvananthapuram
2.Natural history and natural science:
These are scientific institutions containing historical collections. It includes historical records of plants, animals, ecosystems etc.
Natural history refers to the study of evolution of natural organisms.
In such museum facts, specimens and information about natural sciences and displayed through various ways.
Millions of specimens of fossils, animals, plants, human remains are kept and preserved to be displayed for the visitors to explore and learn.
The national museum of natural history situated at the national mall in Washington DC, US is the largest museum of natural history and science containing over 145 million specimens of plants and animals and other natural organisms.
It is said to be the home to about 185 professional history scientists.
3.Science and technology:
These museums are dedicated to the development in the scientific and technical field.
Technology is no doubt booming each and every day. These museums serve as educational sources for the ones who are keen towards these fields.
The technological marvels attract and inspire the visitors, they may be scientific experts or public visitors.
The natural history Museum in London is a science museum which is the oldest and the most famous in the world. The reviews of the public about it say that it is fantastic.
The architectural design, the exhibits and everything around it is worthy of a visit.
Science museum are a great attraction in a country’s heritage;
Here are some science Museum in India with great architecture and exhibits:
- Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata .
- Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM) Bangalore
- National Science Centre, Delhi
- Science City, Kolkata
There are seven wonderful things that can be seen in a science museum:
- Iron lung, 1953
- Mill engine, 1903
- Valve from the Colossus Project, 1943
- Mobile phone repair sign, 2000s
- Model of Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, 1871
- Foden lorry, 1931
- Black Arrow rocket, 1971
Find more in details at https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/the-seven-wonders-of-the-science-museum
4. History:
These museums are basically for information about historical happenings. Containing records of development that took place in the past. These museums contain artifacts from the past helping us know about how things were evolved and developed.
Since it is very important to study history as our subjects, to understand it better in a practical manner visiting historical museums can educate and make us aware about the past. They contain weapons used in the past made of stones, unusual artifacts and statues.
They illustrate the development of mankind
Historical museums in India-
- Indian Museum, Kolkata.
- Government Museum, Chennai
- National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, Delhi
- National Philatelic Museum, Delhi
- Metro Museum, Delhi
5.Art :
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt
- Leonardo da Vinci
This is a great place to explore for the ones who are fascinated by art. From the oldest painting to awesome arts. This is a perfect place for the art geeks.
Among all the types of museums these museums are mostly attractive because of the kind of artifacts they contain and the fact that they are aesthetically pleasing. The art galleries, the paintings, designs and architecture pull visitors towards its beauty. The Louvre in Paris is the largest art museum in the world.
Some if the art museums in India are:
- Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata
- The Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh
- Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
- National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore
- Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
Museums and Covid:
We have virtually explored some magnificent beauty of art, culture, history and science and our hearts do want to visit and enjoy the beauty with our naked eyes.
But the ongoing crisis, we still haven’t overcome yet.
Until then it is impossible to be at our favourite places.
So, the only thing we can do is play our part.
Be a responsible human being and help the nation overcome this ongoing pandemic.
Let’s stay at home,connect to grandparents and explore the past through them.
Let’s listen to their stories and cheer them up.
Plant trees and conserve nature.
Let’s help one and all.
If not you, who will do it?
There have been a lot of losses and heartbreaking.
But the only thing that remains is the hope that all of this soon ends.
So let’s not give up and do our part.
Happy International Museum Day.
-Ester Pariyar
