The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) project of constructing a textile museum at Kalachowkie has come one step closer to realisation, as the BMC recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the famous Hermitage Museum in Russia, roping in its expertise to acquire artefacts, experts and for design and construction of the museum.
Municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta’s recent visit to Russia culminated in an agreement with one of the world’s oldest and largest museums located in St. Petersburg, to help the BMC construct and maintain its textile museum, now set to display textile, gems, jewellery and other cultural artefacts.
Mr Mehta said, “The agreement addressed three issues. Hermitage will now help us construct the concept of the museum, help with building iconic architecture for the museum, and help finalise what kind of artefacts can be put on display.”
The BMC first announced the formation of this textile museum in 2009, and finalised on the land that belongs to the National Textile Corporation (NTC). About 60,000 square feet of land was to be handed over to the BMC for creating the museum and a recreation ground. Meanwhile, the NTC disputed its claim over some portion of the land, and the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee raised several concerns about the maintenance of the proposed museum, which stalled the proposal for a while.
The recent agreement with Hermitage redressed one of the concerns raised by MHCC, of the creation of a core group of experts to look after the museum. Mr Mehta said, “The MOU basically facilitates knowledge and experience sharing. We want to house artefacts other than those than talk of Mumbai’s history. We want to create an art destination the common man can relate to. Not an exotic display of complex item.”
The museum is now in its final stages of culmination, as the BMC requires Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee’s clearances. Following this, construction on the NTC land will start. The BMC is currently in the process of transferring the ownership of the land in its name. Mr Mehta confirmed that the BMC has roped in JJ School of Arts for the project.
