National Museum showcases private treasure collection

NEW DELHI: For the first time in the 65 years of its existence, National Museum is hosting an exhibition of a treasure trove donated by a private individual. Titled A Passionate Eye: Textiles, Paintings and Sculptures' from Bharany Donation, it will showcase a selection of items contributed to the museum by C L Bharany in memory of his father. The exhibition will be on till August 14.
It highlights the role played by private collectors in enriching the nation's public museums. It is the first special exhibition held at National Museum to explore this subject. Close to 100 works that Bharany and his father collected from across India will be displayed in a specially designed gallery from July 11. These include sculptures in stone, bronze and wood, besides paintings (on paper and cloth), manuscripts and textiles, over the past two millennia.
Dr Giles Tillotson, one of the curators of the exhibition, notes the Bharanys starting from Radha Krishna, the late father of Chote Lal (now 87) are among the most significant collectors of Indian art in the 20th century. "What is striking is not just the range and quality of the works they assembled; their contributions to the work of scholars and of the country's museums are immense," he says.
The exhibition, which Tillotson has co-curated with Pramod Kumar K G and Mrinalini Venkateswaran of Eka Archiving Services, is designed by Siddhartha Chatterjee of Seechange. Some items have been lent by the Bharany family, which has roots in Amritsar.
Through its design, the exhibition seeks to reflect the variety and eclecticism of its items. Objects are grouped sometimes by material such as textile and sometimes by subject matter such as asceticism, irrespective of provenance and date to highlight the varied and layered links that inspire collecting, said officials. Dr Venu V, director-general of the museum, said, they are keen to share more private collections. and similar exhibitions will allow visitors to see more than what's on permanent display.
"This is the first such exhibition NM is holding to explore the subject of private collections."