National museum in a declining state

A report in a leading Bangla daily on the national museum published Wednesday exposes in graphic details what appears to us to be a near-decadent state of the treasure-trove, the repository of our history, heritage and culture. It is under the roof of a single building with a large number of galleries that visitors get to see a whole range of invaluable manuscripts, documents, arts and artefacts, memorabilia and mementoes. Such a journey back through time helps us rediscover our past, take pride in our heritage and imbibe confidence in the future.

For the international visitors, the museum mirrors the vitality of a nation, and in that sense it is much more than a tourist showcase. Most nations, therefore, attach a great value to their national museum, and invest in them for a scrupulous conservation of the collections having regard for wear and tear.

Bearing all this in mind, it is disquieting to know that in the manuscript and document gallery, valuable possessions like old and rare manuscripts of religious books are in damp condition; world famous Dhakai Muslin and Murshidabad ivory work specimens are at a grave risk of decimation. Although the museum has an inventory of 88,233 items only 40 galleries exhibit some 4,000 pieces, which constitutes 4.5 percent of total collection. That speaks volumes about the museum's present state.

We are looking for that restorative action to lift the museum from the current morass underpinned by an increased investment and right kind of expertise that have been long overdue.