Where is the money going?
Museum management is highly concentrated around a select few, and of course, there is not a single museum dedicated to contemporary art. It was only a few years ago that an attempt was made to raise funds for a museum in Kolkata, but the foundations were never laid and only $2 to 3 million was raised.
Things were going well at Bhau Daji Lad for a while
Yet amongst this stagnation, one institution proves an exception to the rule: The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum in Byculla East, South Mumbai. Returning to grace thanks to the work managing trustee and honorary director of the museum, Tasneem Zakaria Mehta, reopening its doors in 2008 after years of renovation. The museum is the first in India to run using both publically and privately raised funds.
Inside this small rococo jewel, the director has reestablished old ties with London’s Victoria & Albert museum dating back to the 19th century, following a structural renovation project. Today, the museum is displaying classical and contemporary works together and contemporary Indian artists are benefitting from the great space for their solo shows and will soon be joined by artists from around the world.
Until politics get involved
But last week things hotted up. Tasneem Zakaria Mehta had agreed to the museum being used as the venue for the Lakme Fashion Week, yet her decision was met with fierce disapproval. The Maharashtrian Nationalist Party (the MNS), currently in power, threatened to step in if the fashion show went ahead, citing cultural and symbolic differences and misuse of the institution.
The National Crafts Museum in New Delhi is also suffering internal disruption due to the whims of director Ruchira Ghose, initiating a veritable revolution within the great institution of national handicrafts and handlooms. Ghose had been looking to transform the identity of the institution, creating an academy of textiles named the Hastakala Academy in place of the museum.
Both incidents are still unresolved, Zakaria Mehta asked Anil Ambhani, the richest businessman in India, to finance the museum, giving some hundred thousand euros to the cause. What’s become of him now? And as for Ruchira Ghose, she can count on the support of Delhi’s elite, who are fond of the institution, as well as the authentic cuisine of the on-site restaurant.
Tasneem Zakaria Mehta via Mid-Day
