Museum as an entity has surpassed its standard definition as a mere repository of objects. In the 21st century the museum across the globe, has expanded its reach into not just spheres of learning and education but has also been established as an important civic node for social and cultural exchange.  Our blog this month is a call to action to all our readers, to go out and visit museums. 

We’ve put together highlights from some out of the ordinary museums in India that we’ve showcased on our blog and key attractions within them.

BEST Museum, Mumbai

The BEST Museum, Mumbai is housed in the Anik Bus Depot in Wadala. The Museum is full of curious objects and photographs that tell the story of how the Bombay Tramway Company, established in 1873.

Flexible seats

The BEST Museum has a total of 62 original tram seats, some of which are on display. The seats have been well preserved and are in good condition. Since the trams used to run on tracks, they did not need to take a U-turn to go in the opposite direction. Interestingly, the seats were thoughtfully designed in a manner so as to shift the back of the seat so that the seat would face the direction the tram was going in. Read More

Flexible seating at BEST

HAL museum

The Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum (HAL) in Bangalore is spread over a vast site comprising lush green land and houses displays of various aircraft and helicopters, aircraft engine models, flight simulators, a mock air traffic control tower and exhibit of Indian aviation history. The centre also houses a PSLV Heat Shield, which is emblematic of India’s progress in space technology. A library provides a space to academically explore the growth of the Indian Aerospace industry since the 1940s.

Full Size Heat Shield of a PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)

Heat Shield is the uppermost stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). It is made in halves of two thin walled, intricately machined aluminum alloy panels and sheets that weigh 1,200 kg. The main purpose of the heat shield is to house the satellite which is to be launched into space orbit. It provides an aerodynamic shape to the launch vehicle and spears it through Earth’s dense atmosphere. Its insides are designed like a honeycomb to withstand high pressure while keeping the heat out. Read More

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)

Janapada Loka

This folk museum on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway is the only cultural center in the state of Karnataka to preserve and promote the rituals, customs and living traditions of India’s villages. Janapadaloka is hub of folk cultural activities throughout the year. We celebrate festivals like Sankranthi and Dussehra, including associated activities, rites and rituals songs and dances pertaining to that festival, just as it is performed in villages. Read More

Household Gallery at Janapadaloka

Brain Museum

The mission of the Human Brain Museum is to sow the seeds of Neuroscience in school and college students so that they have the general understanding, awareness and choice of career.

“Specimens at our museum are mounted in ingeniously made plastic jars designed at our workshop. This has facilitated the viewers to hold the specimens in hand and rotate them in all directions and get an idea of the structure of the anatomy. In addition, depending upon the availability of museum personnel, we provide in-depth explanations to school and college students about the specimen they are interested in. In fact, many of the museum’s foreign visitors expressed that their knowledge of human anatomy and the brain in particular, is based on books and electronic media; they have never had access to real specimens.” Read More

Brain museum at NIMHANS,Bangalore

This post is in association with the #ChaloMuseum campaign by the Kiran Nadam Museum of Art, Delhi and the Heritage Lab!

ReReeti works with museums, galleries and heritage sites across India to plan strategies, design systems and implement programmes to increase audience engagement and institutional/ company visibility. Email us at info@rereeti.org for a free consultation or to collaborate on an upcoming exhibition.