Visually-challenged persons will now no longer have to depend on others to get details on the artifacts kept in the glass-ceiling enclosures in the country’s premier National Museum here. They can now explore the masterpieces through their fingers and also read their details posted in Braille language.
Making it the first-of-its-kind museum in the country — promising access to all — Union Culture Secretary NK Sinha on Friday inaugurated ‘Anubhav: a special tactile gallery’ that allows full tactile access accompanied by an audio-guide and Braille labels keeping in mind the needs of the visitors with no sight or partially visually-impaired.
At least, 22 tactile replicas of museum objects, carefully chosen from the vast collection of National Museum by its curators representing 5,000 years of Indian art have been kept on display in this unique gallery. The replicas are made from mixtures from resins, plaster of paris among others.
The replicas include the famous Dancing Girl, a bronze statuette dating around 2500 BC, from the Mohenjo-daro site of Indus Valley, Buddha head from Sarnath, Yaksha (2nd Century BC, Satavahana Period) and two daggers from Mughal era among others. Also on exhibit are two relief paintings, a technique that allows the blind, or those with limited vision, a chance to create a mental image of the subject of the painting by feeling it.
lauding the initiative, Sinha said that museum-going experience in India until now has been largely for sighted persons. “The Museum has undertaken an excellent initiative in establishing this special gallery to expand access to all visitors, particularly visitors with disabilities.”
Director General, National Museum, Sanjiv Mittal added, “We are committed to expanding access into our museum for all visitors. While this is a learning curve, we will continue to make efforts to make the museum open and accessible to all and welcome everyone with open arm.”
The Gallery has been developed with the help of Unesco, NGO Saksham, Open Knowledge Community (OKC), IIT Delhi and the National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) and designed completely pro-bono by architect Amardeep labana and his team.
On the occasion, Sinha also opened the new bronze gallery comprising nine sections showcasing regional pieces from North India, Central India, Western India, Eastern India and South India.