Rejoinder from National Museum
This is in response to the article "NATIONAL MUSEUM IN A STATE OF DISORDER" that was published on December 26 in Star City. The feature on 'National Museum' is incomplete and many dimensions of the 'National Museum' hardly get any chance of access in the author's mind. The writer just meets the demand of the public at a glance in a great hurry. She depicted her story with inadequate information. The author reported the colours of the models of 'Pink Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Saertn / Nelumbium speciosum Willd)' and 'Blue Water Lily (Nymphyaea stellata Willd). These flowers were template on silk fabrics from the original one and displayed authentically in addition with colour photo-graphs from the natural habitat. Due to the organic origin of the flower models the colour of the flowers merely fades owing to photo reaction but the blue colour remains as blue. In due course, the models are replaced on a regular basis. The information "A particular chart shows ........... but these is on samples," is not a chart. In fact, it is a pictorial label of the aquatic plants with their scientific names that are shown in the painting of the 'Pond Ecosystem.' In addition, there is also another descriptive label at the other side of the painting that deals with the importance of preserving bio-diversity of a pond as well as natural heritage, which was unnoticed by the author. Different types of 'Natural Dyes' that are used in colouring of fabrics in Bangladesh are shown in the showcase. Some of the important short listed 'Natural Dyes' are displayed with coloured fabrics and photographs. The samples of the 'Natural Dyes' are exhibited in the other showcase of the same gallery with other headings. The repetition of the samples will make the arrangement more incoherent. In the 'Elephant Gallery,' tusks of the elephant are displayed on the panel board without glass covering. So that people can understand the enormous size of the elephant teeth, feel its uneven base and hollow nature. A descriptive label on the use of the tusk has been given with it. It makes no security hazard. BNM has the largest collection of historical objects. Among them a good number of Sanskrit and Arabic inscriptions on basalt stone is worth mentioning. In labeling the objects normally a general form have been followed with vital information suffice to understand the facts. Translated versions of inscriptions are available in published catalogues and unreasonable in the labels. The author stated the inscriptions on basalt stone in her story as 'clay tablets'. This type of careless remark gives the wrong impression on public. A total of two galleries of BNM are devoted to the specimens of the glorious Liberation War. A key label in the gallery depicted the history of the Liberation War from language movement to the recent international mother language day and was unnoticed by the writer. Labels of an object in a museum have the prime importance. They are developed in the course of meticulous evaluation day by day. A large number of objects in four curatorial departments in 44 galleries within 20,000 square meters needs more attention, man-power and time. Changes in display, objects and labels in the gallery are in a regular way with all its limitations. The labels of Kabi Nazrul Smriti Corner are properly placed. Nowadays, computerized engraving methods have been started for labels in BNM. Department of Public Education serves informal educational activities deals with school programme, free guide lecture service to common visitors, students and scholars everyday according to the schedule. In addition to this, guide services are available for the scholars and state guests. The author did not mention it, moreover, she stated "None of the 46 galleries in museum has guides." Finally, the author stated that the museum is in the same state for the last 16 years harmonizing with a voice of an incredible visitor. Why specifically 16 years? It might be more or less than 16 years or the 16 years significantly reflections of some interested corner, those who were involved with the museum at that time. Since its inception, the organizational structure and composition of professional hierarchy of BNM was incomplete. Regrettably, vacuum has been created since then. But now it is worth mentioning here that after long 22 years, BNM secured an authorized service rule of its own and the authority is devoted to keep pace with all other developed museums of the world. Bangladesh National Museum is a unique institution that has a proud history of its own, upholding the pride culture and heritage of the nation. National Museum needs the constructive support of every citizen as well as every member of the media.
|