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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
muscological approach. All media have demonstrated that the secret of popularity is found in attracting attention, then arousing curiosity and afterwards communicating meaningfully.
In post-Independence Gujarat, the real progress of museums was found in those institutions which were organized on private initiative. They were not under control of inflexible bureaucracy. They remained in direct touch with the target audiences. They could innovate till they succeeded in their plans. Many examples can be cited of such enterprising muscum experiments.
The Calico Museum of Textiles is a shining example of what innovative ideas can achieve. The Calico Muscum of Textiles in India was opened by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 12th February, 1949. It was sponsored by the Calico Mills of Ahmedabad. It was the first muscum in Gujarat which followed the contemporary principles of design. In view of the need for conservation of its precious textile collections. Calico Muscum was the first museum in Gujarat which had installed with air-conditioning and artificial lighting. Textiles suffer when exposed to sun light and day light. The exhibitions were designed by the specialists on the staff of the textile Mill. They accepted the challenge of ideal popular education. Visitors were informed about the raw material out of which textile is manufactured. One understands how the raw material of cotton, linen, wool, silk, nylon and their combinations are processed. The processes of spinning and weaving are explained. The contemporary techniques are displayed against the backdrop of historical developments of techniques. Wonderful exhibit on differences in "weaves" is a masterpiece in muscological terms. It ought to inspire muscum educators in Gujarat to take up similar projects in which complex subjects can become both meaningful and visually interesting to lay visitors.
Museums in Gujarat ought to highlight distinct traditions and excellence of local craftsmen. The Calico Muscum is busy with the historical study of texiles starting with Patolas in which designs are dyed into yarn before weaving. Also it has explained the technique of picchavais which serve as figural wall hangings in Vaishnava temples of the Vallabhacharya sect. A visit to the Calico Muscum can prove why India has been famous for her textiles. Not satisfied with showing the glory of the past textile traditions, the Calico Muscum places equal if not more emphasis on the distinct contemporary art of textiles in India. Calico muscum wants to study antique examples but does not encourage their imitations. It is rightly claimed that while reforms of Indian museums have been discussed and contemplated by many, the Calico Muscum has set a tangible example in the arca of visual education and projection of the glory of Indian traditions. The museum has a reference gallery and with the help of visual aids and selected original material, the following themes are illustrated. (1) The principal natural and artificial fibres, their sources and by-products. (2) Counts of cotton yarn and the basic weaves. (3) The evolution of the tools of textile production. (4) Indian handloom
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