Museum by Light: a forum for the city
Written by Priyanka Kundu, Museum Keeper in-charge of Museum Education and Outreach, Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum (India, ITP 2022)
The Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology is one of the prominent institutions in the city of Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India), which is dedicated to collecting and preserving ancient Indian manuscripts and artifacts. The iconic building of the institution, designed by Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi (internationally acclaimed Indian architect), often becomes a case study for contemporary architects. Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai – philanthropist and reputed industrialist of the city – generously donated to set up this institution; to care for the invaluable and innumerable manuscripts belonging to Muni Punyavijayaji, prominent amongst the Jain saints of his time. With the ideologies of these two visionaries coming together, the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Institute of Indology (LDII) arose as a landmark in Post-independence India. In 1963, the building was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the Prime Minister at the time.
As the collection grew, the institution felt a requirement for a separate exhibition space. After few years, another building known as the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum (also designed by Balkrishna Doshi), came into existence as a division of LDII. It was formally inaugurated by Shri Brajkumar Nehru, the then Governor of Gujarat in 1985. The museum showcases a comprehensive collection of Indian art. Renowned art historians Dr. Shridhar Andhare and Prof. Ratan Parimoo – who were also the museum’s former directors – made significant contributions to the collection’s research. Their publications served to establish the identity of the museum.
The museum had gained its reputation among Indian art scholars around the world, but it had yet to reach out to the people of the city. There was a need for fresh approaches for audience engagement. Novel strategies took shape under the leadership of museum’s current director Smt. Sujata Parsai, an art historian and educator. Being in charge of Museum Education and Outreach, I have been developing a variety of educational programmes to draw more people to the museum, which transforms it into a place for education, social interaction, and wellbeing.
Museum by Light, is one of the major highlights of the L D Museum’s educational initiatives, which has a particular purpose of reaching out to the city’s people. Last Friday evening of every month the museum remains open until 9 PM for visitors, especially those who are unable to visit during regular hours. This endeavour, which began in May 2023, aims to engage the audience with the museum collection in a variety of storytelling ways, like curated tours, games, and musical or dance performances. These are carefully crafted programmes that are free for audience and suitable for all ages.
After a process of evaluation, the Museum by Light established its signature, which is presenting Indian art through dance, music, paintings, poetry, and literature. The museum earned a reputation as a place (in the city) that offers an interdisciplinary approach to appreciating Indian heritage with fun and entertainment, and as a result, it has welcomed a significant number of new visitors. Collaboration with other educational institutions in the city is something that strengthens Museum by Light and improves the museum’s connections to the city.
The L D Museum intends to make a difference for the city through Museum by Light. It is a forum that inspires and cultivates a sense of awareness and responsibility to preserve our cultural heritage. This is only the beginning; our goal is to make this endeavour grow and sustain in every manner.
It is an invitation to the readers; if you are in Ahmedabad, please join us for Museum by Light (the last Friday evening of every month) at the Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum.