The International Museum in Dumka, one of the oldest museums of Jharkhand existing in a room of khapra (tile) near Sido-Kanhu Indoor stadium will soon get a facelift. Art and Culture department has taken the initiative to demolish the tile-made room and construct a three-storey building at the same place.As of now, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the plan in being developed by a consultancy named Creators. “The Dumka museum is in a dilapidated condition. We have decided to demolish it and make a three storey building. The ground floor would be used for parking. The upper floors will show the museum items and a conference hall. We are unable to find a new location so it will be built in the same land area where it is presently established,’ said Dumka Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rahul Kumar Sinha.According to Md Sarfuddin, the Curator of Hotwar’s State Museum Ranchi and Dumka have the oldest museums in Jharkhand preserving the local indigenous art and culture.
Thomas Tirkey, the person looking after the Dumka museum, felt there is an urgent need to improve the ambience. “It is all about displaying the tribal culture which existed till early 1990s. There are bows and arrows used by the warriors in ancient period. Dress materials and leaf-made umbrellas (patte ki ghobi) and utensils for drinking water are kept without showcases. It is difficult to maintain the kapra room since water starts leaking inside the premises during rains,” he said.“We pay a yearly amount of Rs2,136 to the concerned authorities. With every passing day, the amount seems high due to the deteriorating conditions,” he pointed.
Though the museum is crying for renovation, the turn-out of tourists has not reduced. “Tourists from other states or foreign countries are often seen visiting the place. Even the school students come here frequently,” Tirkey said.Apart from Dumka, the Art and Culture department is mulling to set a museum at Itkhori, a known archaeological site. “We are working on giving a new shape to the Dumka museum and building a new museum in Itkhori. Both the projects are in pipeline,” confirmed Anil Kumar Singh, Director of Art and Culture department.