Namrata Sarmah

Biography

Namrata currently works as Assistant Curator at National Maritime Heritage Complex, Gujarat under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. She is involved in content development of galleries showcasing maritime history of the country, from Harappan times to Indian Shipping Post Independence.

Recently she was responsible in documenting and acquiring around 5,000 artefacts of Lothal, the man-made dockyard of the Harappan, which were transferred from ASI Baroda circle to her museum. In her curatorial role, she has an active part in curating two important events – ‘India Maritime Heritage Conclave’ in New Delhi and ‘India Maritime Week’ in Mumbai; conducting maritime related conferences, sessions with maritime experts and archaeologists, and exhibiting the upcoming galleries of the complex.

Namrata has a master’s degree in History from University of Delhi, and also in Museology from National Museum Institute, New Delhi. Her professional interests include histories of memories, critical engagement with tangible and intangible heritages, and oral narratives of modern South Asia. She was born and brought up in Assam, one of the states in India’s north-east.

In 2023, Namrata was involved with the event management team responsible for organising the Lighthouse Festival in Goa, reviving 75 historic lighthouses across the country as part of a heritage tourism initiative. The three-day event showcased local artists and a laser lighting exhibition showcasing maritime history and culture.

Also in 2023, Namrata worked on a publication initiative on Majuli Island, supporting the 2023 edition of the Majuli Music Festival, through the Earth Initiative. As well as this, Namrata worked on an ‘Executive Education / Professionalisation of Knowledge Management’ initiative which seeks to:

• promote museums as models to recalibrate values of sustainable development.
• impinge upon evolving museums phenomenon to showcase transformative practices globally, imbibing principles of ICOM & UNESCO.
• evolve holistic development initiatives and measures to strengthen and reform “Museums in, for & as Sustainable Development” realm.

Previously, Namrata worked as a Project Curator in Assam State Museum, Guwahati. Her responsibilities included exhibition and gallery development (Natural History and Textiles Galleries), overseeing educational activities and events, developing content and documentation, and providing curated walkthroughs for official dignitaries visiting the museum. Previously she was also with Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi as an Education Assistant. There she conducted educational programmes for diverse audiences, especially students and dignitaries. Her responsibilities included designing research modules, visual documentation, and generating ideas to augment the outreach of the museum and its collections in a holistic manner.

Previous roles also included Independent Museums Consultant and Researcher, through which Namrata offered in depth expertise in the management of museums, archives, and cultural institutions. She was also an Advisor in museums for bio-cultural conservation and sustainable development with the Earth initiative.

Namrata has worked at the Directorate of Museums, Assam as a Project Curator, where she worked on content development and gallery design projects (Textile and Natural History gallery), overseeing educational activities, and writing a catalogue on the costumes of the Ahom Royalty. She has also designed displays and curation for different district museums of Assam under the Directorate of Museums.

At the British Museum
During her time on the International Training Programme, Namrata was based in the Asia Department and spent her partner placement at National Museums Northern Ireland.

Namrata worked with Rafidah Bahari (Malaysia) and Solomy Nabukalu (Uganda) on her Object in focus project, Guts and Eternal Glory.

Namrata’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Charles Wallace India Trust and the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation.

Legacy projects
In 2019, Namrata took part in the ITP+ Course on Museums and Education held at CSMVS Mumbai which focused on the vital role museums can play in education, learning and social development. The workshop was attended by ITP fellows from India, Malaysia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe as well as UK partners and British Museum colleagues.

In October 2019 Namrata participated in the ITP MA Conference programme in Brighton. With fellows from Egypt, Nepal, China and Malaysia, Namrata attended a programme structured around the 3-day MA Conference on Sustainable and Ethical Museums in a Globalised World.

In March 2023, Namrata received an ITP Conference Grant to attend a workshop on Museum Education and Outreach hosted by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Mumbai.  There she was able to meet ITP Fellows from across India meet to share skills and experiences with fellow museum educators.

ITP Newsletter Publications
ITP Newsletter Issue 6 (2019), Your collection in focus: Silk production in Assam
ITP Newsletter Issue 7 (2020) Inclusivity and social responsibility in India: Engaging with medical professionals
ITP Newsletter Issue 8 (2021) Health and wellness in a pandemic
ITP Newsletter Issue 9 (2022) The story of the palanquin
ITP Newsletter Issue 20 (2023) Enhancing the museum experience: collaboration with a regional Contemporary Artist at Assam State Museum