Museums are unique. They are a city's subtle 'knowledgeable' identity, in the sense that they enable a city with/through knowledge. In this context, it would be interesting to know that etymologically, the word 'museum' comes from a Greek root which means the 'house of muses'. That would mean that the root ca(u)se of museums is literally a 'temple to muses', the inspirations invoking knowledge, invoking all that is the best in the human breast/breath.
Our world indeed has fabulous museums. Why, Berlin has an island and a square nearby entirely devoted to museums housing arts as well as knowledge systems from the prehistoric times to right now. The 'Prada' in Madrid is well-known, too. Those who love Spanish know that Madrid, too, is a city of exquisite museums. Why, the Royal Mall in Edinburgh is a road full of superb statues as if it is an open air museum!
In fact, every major metro, London, Paris, New York boasts of great museums which these days allow us a virtual tour, too. In our very own New Delhi and 'apli' Mumbai, there are magical museums, too.
All these are undoubtedly wonders. I, however, like museums that are 'man-made', that is to say, they are a one-man show, they are created by an individual. The 'Salarjung Museum' in Hyderabad is an interesting example of this phenomenon. It is literally a wealth of wonder pieces. The most interesting in my opinion is the Mephisto/Margareta Statue carved in wood.
Hardly a foot in height, it depicts the binary Goethe immortalised in his version of the Faust myth. Dr. Faustus lusts after knowledge. In the process, he is ready to trade his soul. Margarita,his muse, tries to veer him away from this self-destructive obsession, while he is egged on by Mephisto who is leering after his soul.
The exquisite Salarjung figurine is carved of a wooden piece whose two sides reflect these two poles of the same soul, so to say. Faust's choice reflects on his real identity. The unknown artist is so masterful that the same line holds an absolutely different, even mutually exclusive, interpretation. Margarita's angelic smile is Mephisto's cruel and vicious sneer. Put in a case with mirror on all sides, one can 'see' the statue ad infinitum to understand the realities of soul most subtly.
Yet another wonder in the museum is the 'Veiled Rebecca' statue. It is so exceptionally carved in marble that every fold, each pleat in the gentle Rebecca's diaphanous veil appears real. Wondrous indeed is the Salarjung.
My favourite most museum, however, is in my hometown, in Pune. It is in a quiet lane off the busy Bajirao road. Once you enter its portals though, you are sure to give up your vanities. It is the creation by, a brain child of a father wounded by his only son's death. As a tribute to his son's memory, he painstakingly travelled the length and breadth of India to get the very many varieties of wonders here. Worth a visit indeed!
Be it the mysterious Mona Lisa in the Louvre or the cute childhood utensils in the Kelkar museum, each artefact in a museum is a tale telling of human(e) wisdom. Long live museums!
Pratima@Would you agree with me that each one of us has a special small little museum of his/her own, right? Tucked away most often in the ancient school bag, it has our old pictures, our erstwhile attempts at drawings, and various other arts. Every scrap there has a story to tell, has memories mounds of monies can never buy!
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