Government Museum, Chennai has been organizing the ‘Exhibit of the Week’, to highlight the rare specimens of the various sections. In this series the wet specimen of Toadstool which is more than 100 years old in the collection of Botany Section has been exhibited from 26.12.’11 to 01.01.’12 for the benefit of the visitors. The term Toadstool is typically applied to any fungus with a cap and a stem. In a broader sense the ‘toadstools’ also includes other non-mushroom forms of fungi such as puffballs, earthstars, and coral fungi.
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COMMISSIONER THIRU.S.S. JAWAHAR, I.A.S., RELEASING THE BROCHURE |
CURATOR TMT.M.N.PUSHPA EXPLAINING THE EXHIBIT TO THE VISITORS |
COMMISSIONER OF MUSEUMS VIEWING THE EXHIBITION |
EXHIBIT OF THE WEEK- THE BHOJ PATTRA
The Botany section of Government Museum, Chennai, apart from the gallery exhibits is conducting special Exhibitions on various themes periodically. As suggested by the Commissioner Thiru S.S.Jawahar,IAS., to highlight the importance of rare exhibits for the benefit of the public the bhoj pattra commonly called as the Indian Birch tree is kept on display. This exhibit of the week was arranged by the Curator Tmt.M.N.Pushpa and is kept for public view from 08.11.’11 to 13.11.’11in the Main building. The specimen bhoj pattra (Betula bhojpattra) is the reference collection of the Botany Section which was received as gift from Subedar Ramachandran from Jammu & Kashmir in the year 1996.
The Bhoj tree is found in the higher ranges of Himalayas and the bark of the tree is used as the substitute for paper. The bark peels off in large sheets which served as the material upon which the ancient Sanskrit Manuscripts of Northern India are written. The use of the birch bark for literary purpose is attested by the earliest classical Sanskrit writer like Susruta, Kalidasa, and Varahamihira. After the manufacture of paper for writing purpose the use of birch-bark was discontinued.
Brochure on the bhoj pattra, with illustrations, and uses was released by the Commissioner of Museums Thiru.S.S.Jawahar,IAS., for the visitors to know about its economical uses. The Exhibition curated by Tmt.M.N. Pushpa, Curator, Botany Section was well received by all the sectors of people.
View of the Exhibit of Bhojpattra |
Exhibit being explained by the Curator Tmt.MN.Pushpa to the Commissioner Thiru S.S.Jawahar,IAS. |
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First copy of the Brochure on Bhojpattra released by the Commissioner ThiruS.S.Jawahar,IAS., being received by the visitors |
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Visitors viewing the exhibition |
Visitors viewing the exhibition |
Indo- Austrian Workshop at New Delhi
The National Museum Institute of Art, Conservation and Museology (Deemed University), New Delhi organized a specialized Workshop on Preventive Care of Metals in In-door and Out-door collections for conservation professionals and students from 13-15 September 2011 at National Museum, New Delhi in collaboration with the University of Applied Arts, Vienna.
On invitation from Dr.M.V.Nair, Director (Conservation Department), NMI, Tmt.J.M.Gandhimathi, Curator, Chemical Conservation section, attended the workshop on 14th and 15th September 2011. She gave a presentation on Conservation of metal Antiquities particularly the bronzes in the Forenoon session on 14.9.2011
In the afternoon session she participated in the Discussion on National Conservation Policy for Metals and other Antiquities.
Prof.Gabriella Christ (left) addressing the Preventive Conservation of Metals session. Ms.Martiana Griesser from the University of Applied Arts, Vienna is on the right.
From left – J.M.Gandhimathi, Girikumar Sekharup, Anupam Sah, Dr.B.V.Kharbade, Madhavi Singh and Ms.Joyoti Roy(standing) in the process of drafting the Policy.
The University of Applied Arts Vienna was founded as the School of Applied Arts of the Austrian Museum of Art and Industry in 1867 and was the first of its kind on the Continent.
The University offers Masters Degree in Conservation and Restoration for 10 semesters.
She discussed with Ms. Martiana Griesser regarding collaborative projects with Government Museum, Chennai since it is the biggest repository of South Indian Bronzes in the World and also has a rich collection of other metal antiquities of artistic and cultural value. Possibilities of internship programmes for students in both the Institutions was also discussed.
WORKSHOP ON PLANT PRESERVATION & PLANT MODELLING TECHNIQUES
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Click on the images to view in larger size |
"WORKSHOP" ON GEOLOGY-25.08.2011
A One-day workshop on “Geology” was organised for the benefit of Post Graduate Students of University of Madras in the Museum’s Centenary Exhibition Hall with a brain storming session on Geological wealth of Tamilnadu and a Special lecture on Geology. At the end the participants were issued with Certificates by the Museum.
There was a healthy debate and interaction by students and at the end they gave their feedback on the stage.
The 'workshop' really kindled awareness and interest on Geology and the huge job opportunities available to persons pursuing Geology Courses.
Welcome address: R.D.Thulasi Brinda, Curator - Geology |
Presidential address : Thiru S.S.Jawahar IAS, Commissioner |
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Inaugural address and Special lecture: Dr. N.P. Nathan, Director, Geological Survey of India, Chennai |
Inaugural address and Special lecture: Dr. N.P. Nathan, Director, Geological Survey of India, Chennai |
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Special lecture: Dr. M. Suresh Gandhi, Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, University of Madras |
Special lecture: Dr. M. Suresh Gandhi, Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, University of Madras |
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Audience in the workshop |
Audience in the workshop |
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Oil Painting by Museum’s Artist-Narayanan on "Dinosaur" |
Vote of thanks : J.M. Gandhimathi, Curator, Chemical Conservation |
EXHIBIT OF THE WEEK- THE UPAS BARK
Government Museum Chennai is regularly conducting Special Exhibitions on various themes. As a part of the educational programme, Commissioner of Museums Thiru.S.S.Jawahar, I.A.S., suggested to have the Exhibit of the Week highlighting an interesting / rare object.
Among the various educational activities of the Botany section of Government Museum, Chennai, conducting special Exhibition is one. This is done periodically by the Section. In this series Exhibit of the week was revived, for the benefit of the public and students.
The Upas bark commonly called as the Marauri, native to Australia, Fiji, India, Indonesia was kept as exhibit of the week from 16.08.’11 to 21.08.’11 in the Main building entrance. The specimen Upas bark (Antiaris toxicaria) is the reference collection of the Botany Section which weighs about 982 Gms. The length of the specimen is 80” and the breadth is 36”. It was purchased from Kolkata.
Brochure on the Upas Bark ,narrating the Vernacular name, its distribution, morphology and uses was released by the Commissioner of Museums Thiru.S.S.Jawahar, IAS., for the benefit of the public. The Exhibition was well appreciated by the visitors.
Display of Upas bark |
View of the Exhibit of the Week with the visitors. |
View of the Exhibit of the Week with the visitors. |
View of the Exhibit of the Week with the visitors. |
WORKSHOP ON PLANT PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES & PLANT MODELLING
One day workshop on Plant preservation Techniques & Plant modelling was conducted to IXth Standard students of Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School, Chennai on 19.08.2011. About thirty students participate in the Workshop. . Selvi.V.Rama, Headmistress I /c inaugurated the Workshop .The programme was organized by Tmt.M.N.Pushpa, Curator Botany for the benefit of students, who delivered a lecture on Preservation of plants.
The students were taught the methods of preservation of plants and model making out of clay and plaster of paris. Students were given hands on training by the Artist modeler Thiru.M.P.Rajasivaprakash. Commissioner of Museums Thiru.S.S.Jawahar distributed the Certificates to the Students.
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Thiru.S.SJawahar,I.A.S., addressing the students |
Welcome address by Tmt.M.N.Pushpa,Curator Botany |
Selvi.V.Rama giving the Inaugural Address |
Student addressing the gathering |
Thiru.M.P.Rajasivaprakash, Artist Modeller demonstrating Plaster of Paris model to the students |
Thiru.M.P.Rajasivaprakash, Artist Modeller demonstrating Plaster of Paris model to the students |
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