Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, an exhibit of the week’ the PALKI, Traditional wooden palanquin collected from 1997, was on disppay.
The Folk community of Midnapur, West Bengal. It’s Measurement Length (including balli) - 389.5 cm, Height- 90 cm., Width – 67 cm. displayed in the audience as The Third Exhibit of the month of January, 2021 through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.
In this regard Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), Initially this series will focus on the masterpieces from its collection which are considered as unique for their contribution to the cultural history of a particular ethnic group or area. The Palanquin is perceived to be an ancient medium of wheelless transport used by humans.
For many centuries, this human-powered enclosed vehicle also served as an elite form of transport in many a culture. In India, the traditional use of Palanquin has a symbolic attachment to the wedding ceremony.
This Palanquin from West Bengal reflects the glorious tradition of bidding the bride farewell at the wedding time. In various provinces of the State, wedding Palanquins are traditionally owned by the Raut community. It was probably a good investment for the owner who could rent it out many a time.
Regarding this object Sudeepa Roy said that the object is made out of wood, having a rectangular box at the center, supported by two round wooden poles on both sides for lifting and carrying purposes. It is painted with floral designs reflecting the aesthetic sense of the maker. Various motifs like the lotus flower, flowerpot, elephant, tiger, and conch used in the Palki are believed to be auspicious.
The sliding doors at one side of the Palanquin with its spacious sitting place allows the bride to travel safely.
The Dusadhs of Purulia district, West Bengal, were primarily employed as palanquin bearers at marriage ceremonies. With the advent of modern means of transportation, the use of Palanquin gradually vanishes from this alluring tradition of the State.