Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune - India

World's Richest Folk Art Museum, India

Oct 31, 2009 Shanti Mahadevan

"I have lit an everlasting incense stick. I want people to enjoy the perfume," said Kelkar as a tribute to the grandeur of a bygone era

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune is the one-man collection of Padmashree Dr. D.G. Kelkar (1896-1990). Established in 1962, this world’s richest musem of folk-art showcases the works of unknown craftsmen who once brought romance to living and gave it aesthetic value through their art.

Housed in the heart of the city in a three-storey building on 1377 and 1388 at Shukrawar Peth, Natu Baug, Pune, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Musem is easily accessible.

Kelkar's Long Toil

Though Dinkar began his collection around 1920 , the origins of the museum go back to his early childhood when he used to read historical books. He awaited his holidays to befriend families living in houses that were centuries old for he was fascinated by their traditional artifacts. He found that Indian culture assimilated the forms of nature in arts and crafts, and so he began to put together his collection of artifacts and antiquities of Indian artisans and craftsmen.

The Turning Point

Over the years, Kelkar gradually acquired objects d’art. But the sudden loss of his only son – Raja, became a turning point in his life. Though he lost interest in everything, his interest in objects d’art however remained.

Kelkar concentrated on travelling extensively in India to obscure villages, tribal settlements, grand temples, humble huts, forgotten attics and folk fares. He was forever collecting items after items that offered a glimpse into life in India. His wife - Kamlabai Kelkar, daughter - Rekha Hari Ranade, friends and acquaintances supported him to pursue this passion.

Kelkar collected around 15,000 unique objects which he arranged piece by piece, section by section, in his own room to give a historical ambience. And that was the beginning of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Muesum for which Kelkar devoted his entire life to build it from scratch to crest. When he showed them to his friends, it became the talk of the town and a great attraction even to foreigners.

A World of Wonders

The museum mirrors a life once well lived. It has more than 20,000 different rare exhibits and artifacts from the 17th to the 19th century and they are divided into 40 sections.

There is an awesome collection of artistic and intricate wood carvings of arches, doors and windows. The archways are painted, panels are carved, and doors are in wood and ivory. There are giant icons, majestic lions, sculptures along the walls, copper and brass statues of - Ganesha, Shiva and Parvati.

The lifestyle of maharajas is seen in the betel boxes, nut-cutters, nut-containers, lime containers and spittoons that have on them figures of peacocks, parrots, swans, horses, rams, dragons, and other erotic designs. The amours are made of fish scales and crocodile skin. Here pistols, long barreled muskets, daggers, shields, swords and small cannons are also on display.

The Indian Paintings on display include glass paintings, cloth paintings, parchment paintings, leather paintings, and paper paintings. The oil lamps are of various kinds, shapes, and sizes. A gallery of combs, mirrors, vajris (foot cleaners), scent bottles, kohl and vermillion caskets, reflect how a day began for the Indian woman.

‘Mastani Mahal’ is the museum’s highlight and is a recreation of the original built in 1734 at Kothrud, Pune. It reveals the mansion of ‘Mastani’, the famous concubine of Peshwa Bajirao, I.

A musical gallery has all types of musical instruments on display. The textile gallery has textiles from the glorious past reflecting the richness of all kinds of embroidery. Writing implements like ink-wells, ink-pots, pen-cases on display are simple and ornate with animal and bird forms.

In a small hut here are huge cooking vessels meant used during festivals and marriages. They are made of terracotta, copper and brass, and brought here from Kerala, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Also are huge food-grain storage containers, kitchen-wares, in various materials and artistically made with wood, metal, stone, hide, papier-mâché, terracotta, ceramic.

Museum’s Library & Laboratory

Kelkar approached the State Government, and The Department of Archeology came forward to help him by developing and maintaining his exhibits. To understand India's historical and cultural traditions, there is a library on art, history, architecture, and other relevant material. There is a also a conservation laboratory with the most modern equipments to preserve the collection in the museum.

How to Travel Here

Best way to make your way here is by rickshaw or a two wheeler.

Timings

Open daily from 09.00 to 18.00 hours, the museum is closed only on government holidays.

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