Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 18: On the occasion of International Museum Day, two new galleries on ornaments and musical instruments were opened at the State Museum here Monday.
The galleries were inaugurated by culture minister Ashok Panda along with culture secretary Aravind Padhee.
The two galleries comprise rich and varied collections depicting the great cultural heritage and tradition of the people of the state. With the introduction of the two new galleries, the total number of galleries has now gone up to 15. General instruments to tribal instruments are exhibited in the musical instrument gallery whereas the ornaments gallery contains jewellery used by tribal people.
A rare and significant Choudwar Copper Plate charter of king Kamarnavadev, son and successor of Ananta Varman Chodagangadeva and Kasturi Kamodini of Ganga Dynasty which was discovered in 1993 by scholar Ravi Ray from Bimpa river near Choudwar will be put up in the gallery.
The script of the charter is Proto Nagari and language is Sanskrit dating back to 12th century AD. The charter describes the genealogy of the Ganga Dynasty.
A painting exhibition by noted artist and former curator of the museum Shyam Sundar Patnaik on the achievements of Emperor Kharavela depicted on the caves of Rani Gumpha, Ganesh Gumpha, Manchapuri Gumpha, Jaya Vijaya Gumpha and others in Udayagiri was also inaugurated. Patnaik (82) who deciphered the actual meaning of all the engravings on the walls of Rani Gumpha, said, “The meaning of the carvings on the caves of Rani Gumpha has always been interpreted wrongly. After thorough research I found the real meaning of each carving. They basically depict the achievements, heroic deeds, benevolent works, religious outlook and patronage to art and culture. Many scholars and historians have deciphered the inscriptions but have failed to read and interpret it correctly.”
Attending a discussion session on Museums for a Sustainable Society, culture secretary Padhee said a cafeteria, souvenir shop, and audio guides will come up soon to attract more tourists.
