Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: As part of the State Museum’s 60th foundation day celebrations, an ivory gallery was inaugurated by Orissa Tourism Minister Ashok Chandra Panda here Friday. An elephant tusk bed which belongs to the Raja of Jeypore , a table containing two tusks, which was used by Pandit Madhusudhan Das and many others ivory items are on display at the gallery.
The epigraphy section showcasing the evolution of Oriya script was exhibited from its nascent stage to its present form. Three art and handicraft exhibitions were part of the celebrations in which paintings of Rita Patnaik, tribal handicrafts and dresses with Pattachitra designs were featured.
A special postal cover was unveiled by the guests including Chief Post Master General Santosh Kumar Kamila on the occasion. Lifts were inaugurated at the museum for the convenience of senior citizens and physically handicapped people. Stating that the department has been planning to set up five more galleries- Orissa Through ages, Freedom fighters gallery, Mining gallery, Contemporary art gallery and Royal gallery at the museum, Panda said, “We propose to collect antiquities from royal families of Orissa to inform the younger generations.’’ A museum is the reflection of a nation’s history. “We are taking steps to provide state-of-the-art facilities at the museum and the ivory gallery is a step in that direction,’’ he claimed.
The mask gallery inaugurated on the International Day of Museum and audio-visual gallery depicting rare photographs and paintings related to Paika Rebellion, has been witnessing huge footfall. Museum superintendent Jayanti Rath said an outfit used by Kalpana Das, who scaled Mount Everest, is on display at the museum here. It was donated by the mountaineer. Senior museum employees were felicitated and students who won awards in painting and drawing competitions were given awards on the occasion. Governor SC Jamir will be the guest of the celebrations Saturday.