Museum films to tell story of rare artifacts

KOLKATA: The Indian Museum has lined up a series of films on rare artifacts in its galleries — from the Egyptian Mummy to gold coins dating back to several centuries.
"The films will explore the history behind the artifacts and present the era through visuals and narrative," museum director S. Chakravarti said. A film has already been prepared on how terracotta art is made to enlighten visitors about the gallery."Films are part of a continuously evolving documentation technique. While the earliest form involves manual registration of artifacts, computerisation with digital photographs comes next.
Several collections at the museum have been digitally recorded and work has begun on audio-visual documentation," the director said.
The museum has more than 150,000 objects in the art, archaeology and anthropology sections.
The museum has produced four films too. Museum of the Ghosts is based on a novel by Abanindranath Tagore while Changing Faces of Gadaba looks into the life and art of tribals in Orissa.
Remains of Bharhut explores the architectural remains of the famous Buddhist site that dates back to 2 BC.
Destination Museum, the latest film attempts to look into the future of museums. It is the first docu-feature attempted at the museum. Four narratives — Ramkrishnadeb’s fossil gallery visit; Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Bharatendu Harishchandra being refused entry because they were not wearing shoes; Sister Nivedita’s visit in 1902 when she brought students from Bosepara School, kicking off the era of educational tours to the museum; and the story based on the script of Abanindranath Tagore’s Bhuteder Jadughar’ — are all woven into the film.
Destination Museum was shot at the museum by documentary film-maker Raja Mitra and edited at the modern studio within the complex.
The Japanese government had gifted the authorities modern cameras, editing machines and audio visual equipment worth Rs crore. "Films generate interest through an ambience of powerful visuals and strong narrative. It’s one of the best medium for communicating with the audience," Chakravarti said.
While films based on collections will be screened kiosks in respective galleries, stand-alone films will added to the 500-strong cinema collection on subjects like cultural heritage; Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Indus Valley civilisation; nature and natural history; world and space science. "We have set up a video corner in the mezzanine floor of the main building where the films are being screened from 11 am," the director said.