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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Utensils Museum of Vishala, Ahmedabad
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Subhash Brahmbhatt*
Utensils belong to that class of cultural objects which have for ages been an integral part of everyday life. These utensils are displayed in the utensil Museums with a remarkable degree of aesthetic awareness and tremendous sense of usability combined with practicality and beauty.
Now a days steel utensils have taken place for copper utensils in household use. In very few houses we can see the old copper vessels. When Mr. Surendra Patel was small, he used to watch with great interest a small display of utensils on the shelves of his house. When he saw beautiful metal utensils being sold for their weight and melted down to be reshaped, his immediate reaction was to save these traditional forms before they were lost for ever.
This is not an income generating activity. Mr. Patel has been facing several financial pressure from time to time. He has been striving to obtain support from the various public agencies but so far hardly any assistance has come forth. The Government of Gujarat has encouraged Mr. Patel's team from time to time.
The museum has been included as an important part of the tourist's itinerary of Ahmedabad followed by the Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation. The museum has generated tremendous awareness among the public about the value of our cultural heritage and that an average of 40 to 60 visitors come daily. It is interesting to note that, when an ancient tradition of technology modernizes due to the advent of new material, there is a slow transitional process from the old to the new situation.
The credit for this unusual museum gocs entirely to the genius of the founder Mr. Surendra Patel. It is a new muscum barely 18 years old and is exclusively concerned with Indian utensils. It is a unique museum of utensils. Mr. Patel has collected these utensils from all over India. It's main collection is from Gujarat. The utensils museum display 2500 pieces which represent metal objects. There are different shapes of pots, bowls, furniture, storage container for clothes, money and food, etc. and a wide range of cooking vesssels which is mostly used in villages. Among these are some beautiful specimens of 'Bidri' ware, where the base metal- usually bell metal has been engraved with designs and patterns filled with silver and even gold, 99% of this museum house objects have been patronized by the ruling houses of the Mauryas, Guptas, the Cholas, the Rajputs and Mughals.
The use of some utensils is as follows:
(1) Tambākundi This huge potsar meant for storing water or cooking. The ring handles are attached to them to facilitate carrying and shifting. They pass a
* Principal, H.K.Arts College, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad.
પથિક દીપોત્સવાંક - ઓક્ટો.-નવે.-ડિસે., ૨૦૦૧ ૭ ૩૦
For Private and Personal Use Only
