INDIRA Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) launched new series to display online the exhibits on its 200-acre campus in Bhopal with the aim of digitally connecting everyone with them due to lock-down during the current COVID-19 epidemic. The main objective of this series is to highlight the aesthetic features of traditional lifestyles, local knowledge and culture’s continuing relevance with modern society. The series was inaugurated by Prahlad Singh Patel, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism. At the beginning of the programme, Dr Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS welcomed the minister and presented a memento.

On this occasion, Patel said that the importance and lifestyle of Indian culture is the best and the most advanced. A special feature of the Human Museum is the prehistoric rock paintings present in the museum premises itself. The oil extracting equipment ‘Tirhi’ which is popular in the Rajwar Lok Sabha of Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh was also launched under the online exhibition series on display in the museum’s traditional tech gar-den. This exhibition has been presented online with its basic information and photographs and videos.

ONLINE EXHIBITION SERIES (click to view the online exhibition series)
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya engaged to portray the story of humankind in time and space since its inception. The Museum focuses on salvaging and revitalization of Indian heritage. Its indoor as well as open-air exhibitions showcase the relevance of the vanishing local culture of the different communities living across the country. With the aim of connecting everyone digitally during this pandemic, the IGRMS is presenting a new series of online exhibitions of its exhibit displayed across 200 acres. The main aim of the exhibition is to highlight the varied aesthetic qualities of the traditional lifestyle and its continuity in modern society.

The main attraction of the series includes the depiction of vernacular architectural diversity portrayed in the open air exhibitions of Tribal Habitat, Himalayan Village, Desert Village and Coastal Village. The Traditional Technology Park open air exhibition depicts the creative skills in using natural resources through simple technology. Rock Art Heritage open air exhibition is a remarkable example of expression of human thoughts and communication during the prehistoric times. The Sacred Grove open air exhibition showcases the traditional practices and way of conserving the bio-diversity. The depiction of narratives or stories related to every day life of various communities can be seen in Mythological Trail open air exhibition. The Kumhar Para open air exhibition focuses on the pottery and the terracotta traditions of India.

The indoor museum building Veethi Sankul houses 12 galleries depicting the diverse facets of human cultures. Its main attraction includes the thematically arranged galleries with models, graphics, diaromas, showcases, panels of the valuable ethnographic collections of the museum from different parts of India and abroad.

This series will commence from 18th June, 2020 with an audio-visual presentation from exhibits of Traditional Technology Exhibition.