History. A subject loaded with dynasties, battles, gigantic
monuments, and cultures. While we get busy on the battlefields and maps,
there is one corner of history, we seem to overlook, we take it for
granted. And that is the life of a common man during that period. While
Kings get busy killing each other, common people keep living on their
day to day lives. Carrying the traditions, generations to generations,
from the past to the future. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, located in the
heart of the Pune city takes you to such a journey, through the medium
of our day to day ordinary, but yet, not so mundane things. The museum
is loaded with tiniest objects, from hairpins to gigantic yali
sculptures, from wooden keys to their spacious sturdy wooden doors. Each
thing you find here is wrapped in a thick cloak of history and not to
mention, created with brilliant elegance and artistry. From ivory Combs
to foot-operated piano, everything you will see here, have seen at least
a hundred years, were passed on from generation to generation to reach
here.
Your idea of us being the most developed generation yet
shatters here. At least when it comes to the arts. Our generation has
constrained arts to the museums, to its curators, critiques, in art
schools and in the Halls of rich and famous. But, just a hundred years
ago, it wasn’t the case. Everyday things like a spoon, or rice plate, or
lamp or, just a chair, everything was created with respect, love, and
taste for the art.
The industrial revolution has made things easier,
available, durable and affordable, but, without a taste, monotonous,
gross and boring.
Many things you encounter here, are swallowed by
the cruel time in the name of practicality and modernism. You will find
many things here unknown, and yet, reusable, even in the modern age.
Let’s take an example of Vajri. Vajri is a metal loofa, but not made in a
factory in China, with cheap plastic materials. Another example will be
Yali- Yali is a combination of fear full animals, usually, found on
ancient South Indian temples. These guys will be standing over Kirti
Mikhas, standing on demon skulls, crushing them. Just waiting for some
white man to see it, study it, tweak it a little bit, take Patent for
it, and resell it to Indians as the latest fad in air-conditioned
shopping malls of metro cities. Each object you will encounter here, is
not just a piece of art, but mostly, things of day to day life, created
with artistic vision.
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Information:
Kelkar
Museum is one of the best Museums in Pune. Museum was founded by Dr. D.
G. Kelkar (1896-1990). He started collecting artifacts since 1920,
exploring across all over India. From the glorious palaces of Maharaja
to the humble huts of tribal people in the jungle, he explored India for
60 years and collected more than 22000 priceless artifacts. His son was
sick and bedridden, and when Dr. Kelkar went out with money to buy the
medicines, he came back with some ancient artifacts he found in the flee
market. Due to the untimely medication, eventually, his son lost his
life. It would be an injustice to comment that, the man was passionate,
as he was mad about the heritage and artifacts, collecting which drove
him and his family towards complete ruins. But the brave family
recovered from the loss of their son and kept on building their dream.
Later, in 1981, Kaka Kelkar was awarded Padma Shree for his contribution
to Indian heritage, history, conservation, and arts…
The museum,
which is one of the best tourist attractions in Pune, is spread on three
floors. But due to lack of space, 85% of the artifacts cannot be
displayed here, remains in shadows, unsung and unstudied. But, whatever
they display, is enough to blow your modern minds.
How to reach Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum: Museum is about 5 km away from Pune Railway Station. You can take an auto, which will take you to Bajirao road where it is located. While your auto will make its way from narrow gullies of Pune, you will see Shaniwar Wada and Lal Mahal as well, do not forget to add them into your bucket list as well.
Kelkar Museum Address:
Nebula, No. 1377/78, Kamal Kunj, Bajirao Rd, Natu Baag, Shukrawar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411002
Phone: 020 2448 2101
Ref:
http://rajakelkarmuseum.org/about.html
18th Century
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