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Nilanjana Som

Nilanjana Som

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)

Curator

Country: India

ITP Year: 2022

Biography

Nilanjana Som is the Curator of the Arts collection at CSMVS, overseeing a diverse range that includes costumes-textiles, jewellery, arms-armour, and decorative arts. She co-curated the exhibition and co-authored the book “Ancient Sculptures: India Egypt Assyria Greece Rome.”  Additionally, she curated temporary exhibitions showcasing the collections of CSMVS, such as ‘Masters: A Glimpse of the European Arts Collection’ in 2023 and ‘Enduring Memories: 100 Years with the Tata Collection’ in 2022.

Holder of dual Masters in Museology and (Medieval) Indian history from the University of Delhi, Nilanjana Som was awarded the Nehru Fellowship in 2014 to study the Indian arms collection housed in various museums in the UK. She has been involved in permanent galleries, temporary exhibitions, collection management, and other programs since joining the Museum in 2015. In 2022, she participated in the British Museum’s International Training Programme.

Nilanjana is part of the Editorial team of the CSMVS Research Journal and has contributed an article titled ‘Arts of Qajar – a small Persian treasure in the CSMVS’ to it. Her fascination with museums lies in the multitude of stories each object holds and the unique contribution each of these objects makes to the human story.

At the British Museum

During Nilanjana’s time on the International Training Programme she spent time in whole group sessions for a detailed overview of all aspects of the Museum’s work, both front of house and behind the scenes.  She also spent time in the Asia department. Nilanjana spent her partner placement at National Museums Northern Ireland.

Nilanjana worked with the ITP 2022 participants to develop a 15-object trail based on a story they wanted to share based around the British Museum collection. The theme of the trail was food and drink and Nilanjana’s chosen object was a sculpture title Fish and Chips, Food Heaven by Hosono Hitomi.

Nilanjana’s place on the International Training Programme was generously supported by the Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Charitable Trust.