The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum (LD Museum) is a division of the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology and is located in central Ahmedabad. Since its inception in 1956, the L.D. Institute of Indology has been collecting and preserving rare manuscripts and artifacts, many of which are displayed at the L.D. Museum.
The Museum owes its establishment to the vision and energy of two remarkable persons – Shri Punyavijayaji, a learned monk scholar, and Sheth Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the well-known industrialist of Ahmedabad. As the collection grew over the years, the need for a separate museum building to house the display was imminent. Consequently, a new museum building was built adjacent to the existing building of the Institute, which was designed by the internationally acclaimed architect, Shri Balkrishna Doshi. The collection in the new museum building was opened to the public in 1984.
The museum currently holds a sizable collection of Indian sculptures, bronzes, drawings, miniature paintings, ancient and contemporary coins, and beadwork. Amongst its strength is the collection of Jain miniatures and scroll paintings. These, along with the diversified collections of Indian art ranging from the 2nd c BC to the 20th century make the collection of the LD museum very comprehensive.
Wooden Book-cover of a Palm-leaf Manuscript, Gujarat, 12th century A.D.
Wooden book covers were conventionally used on either side of the palm leaf manuscripts to protect the delicate palm leaves while being stored. For the purpose of reading, the strings which were passed through the central holes were loosened, and pages were turned, one by one, the strings acting like the binding axis.
This delicate and intricately painted book cover- ‘Patli’ is a part of the Muni Punyavijayji collection. It holds important historic and aesthetic merit in terms of Jaina miniature painting. It is amongst the earliest painted book covers, the patli representing the 16 Vidyadevis, or the Goddesses of wisdom in the Jaina tradition. The Vidyadevis appear to be common to both Buddhism and Jainism. Shown here is one of the covers, with 8 Vidyadevi’s and 2 female devotees. The names of eight devis are labeled in Devanāgari in addition to two female figures at the end as Devasri Sravika and Padmini. There appears some Pala Buddhist influence on the rendering of the figures and their backgrounds
Kalamdan, Lacquered papier mache, 20th century A.D
Painted and lacquered pen boxes became popular in the 17th century and soon became a collectible for the rich. There are examples of such kalamdans made in Iran, India, and Japan.
The beautiful design on this pen box or kalamdaan from the collection of the LD Museum combines Indian, Persian, and European decorative motives, its color combination reminiscent of the Kashmiri shawls of the 18th and 19th century. Birds within a dense setting of poppies and lilies set against a dark background form the outer layer. Its glossy painted surface reflects the style of wood painting carried out in the Deccani courts during the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Door panel depicting Jaina narratives, Gujarat, 17th century A.D
The L.D. Museum has a considerable collection of wood carving panels representing the characteristic carving tradition of Gujarati wooden domestic architecture. Many panels are purely decorative, but there are also panels which must have served as beams or lintels depicting Jaina narrative themes or simply representing groups of seated Tirthankaras. Some of these served as parts of Jaina house-shrines (Ghara-Derasara).
One such panel is shown here. Interestingly, the panel depicts various episodes one after the other. First from the left depicts the procession of the world conqueror- Dharmachakra, being carried in a chariot. Next is the scene of Mahavir preaching to the universe, Samvasarana (Jina preaching to the world) For the purpose of preaching transcendental knowledge, a vast pavilion was constructed. This is followed by Tirthankara meditating in standing Kayotsarga posture, at the mouth of a cave. The last part on the extreme right has been damaged.
Decorative Beadwork, Saurashtra, 20th century A.D
The art of beadwork, called Moti Guthana in Gujarati, has been practiced for centuries but became widespread during the 19th century. It is popular in the Saurashtra and Kutch region of Gujarat. Beads of stone are stitched in embroidery by passing a needle through the hole of each bead according to the patterns and designs visualized. In this art, the most important aspects are the choice of colors of beads, the number of beads in sequence, color combinations to make the pattern and design attractive. Motifs are often related to nature, birds and animals, trees, flowers, and creepers.
This particular piece shown here is a decorative square chakla used during the Ganesh puja. Divided into nine squares, we find the image of Ganesh at the center. Surrounding are decorative motifs of peacocks, camels, cows, and trees. These artistic creations are preserved in a treasure chest which is popularly known as Patara. The bead-work collection of L.D. Museum had been enriched by the contribution of Mahesh Pandya, who donated the personal collection of bead-works in memory of his parents Gopiba and Anandji.
Head of Buddhist Maitreya, Gandhara, 5th century A.D
The representation of yogic concentration in the human face is a great stage in the maturity of Indian sculpture, together with the classical idealization. The sculptural image is infused with life, because it is modeled in such a manner, imparting to it the quality of having inhaled and retained the breath (prana) within its material substance. In the Gandhara region, which is present-day Afghanistan, the sculptors created Buddha image from the 1st century onwards. These became an amalgamation of the Indian prototype with the Graeco-Roman stylistic ideals. The Gandhara school of sculpture continued to flourish until the 6th century, whereas the influence of the Gupta style began making its mark from the 4th century.
The LD Museum’s Gandhara head of buddha is peacefully meditating with a hint of a smile, accentuated by the curves of the moustache.
The LD Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30-17:30. Entry free for all. For more information email mail@ldmuseum.co.in
~ENDS~
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