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Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
India's Engineering Past Gets Second Draft
New Delhi: From hand-drawn steam engine blueprints to century-old engineering reports, some of India's rarest and most fragile historical documents are getting a new lease of life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is carrying out a meticulous conservation exercise to stabilise and preserve brittle paper records, many dating back to the 19th century. The project spans two landmark collections: the National Rail Museum's archival treasures and the Mahatma Gandhi Central Library at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. For the rail museum alone, over 56,000 folios — some over 150 years old — are being restored, including bridge documentation, professional engineering papers, maps and detailed steam engine assembly drawings. At Roorkee, IGNCA has accomplished the conservation of 28,000 pages (14,000 folios) and 79 monographs and calendars. Calling it a "historic milestone," National Rail Museum director Dinesh Kumar Goyal said the work safeguarded a rare treasure trove of railway history. "In Jan this year, we signed an MoU with IGNCA for conserving more than 56,000 folios from maps charting the railways' year-on-year expansion to intricate steam engine drawings," he told TOI. The archive also includes British-era administrative reports from 1881 to 1943, minutes of East Indian Railway meetings, fund allocation records, revenue data, passenger statistics and vintage photographs. "These documents capture the historic importance of the railways and the monumental work done during that era," he said. Dr Achal Pandya, head, conservation and cultural archives, IGNCA, described the mission as going beyond mere repair. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The aim is to arrest deterioration while maintaining authenticity so that these materials can remain vital references for research, exhibitions and history enthusiasts," he said. Around 30 specialists, among them conservators, conservation scientists and technical staff, have been part of this strenuous work. Pandya said that archival materials were invaluable testaments to their time, offering authentic information as well as significant scientific and technical knowledge. "Their conservation ensures that these treasures are transmitted intact to both current and future generations," he said. IGNCA member secretary Dr Sachchidanand Joshi was more emotional: "We're not just saving paper, we're saving India's engineering soul. Each restored folio is a piece of our nation's genius, brought back to life." The conservation process begins with a thorough condition assessment, involving detailed examination, photography and technical reporting. This is followed by surface cleaning, typically using soft brushes and erasers and, where necessary, solvent cleaning after solubility testing. Flattening comes next, using controlled humidification and pressing to remove warps and wrinkles. The damaged areas are repaired by mending and lining with Japanese tissue and archival-quality adhesives. If earlier restoration attempts are found to be causing harm, they are carefully removed. Finally, preventive measures — covering safe handling, light exposure and environmental control — are employed to protect the restored materials over the long term. Over the years, IGNCA has worked on old manuscripts and rare books, maps, drawings and official documents for ministries, museums and libraries. Such projects include conservation for Hardayal Public Library in New Delhi, the govt public library in Allahabad and the Supreme Court. Many of these assignments combine remedial conservation with digitalisation, ensuring not only preservation but also wider public access to these priceless records. For IGNCA, the current effort is not just about safeguarding the past, but more about keeping alive the nation's collective memory and making sure that future generations can see, study and learn from the tangible traces of India's engineering and academic heritage.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Face value: Asia's masked heritage at centre stage
New Delhi: In the heart of the city, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has unveiled a window into the soul of Asia through its extraordinary collection of traditional masks. The exhibition, currently on display at the Bharat Muni Deergaha gallery, showcases nearly 1,000 masks from over 20 Asian countries — each one a testament to the continent's astonishing artistic and cultural heritage. The masks, once tucked away in IGNCA's storerooms, are now in the spotlight and offer a glimpse into ancient traditions, beliefs and dramatic idioms — from the mystical allure of Japanese Noh theatre masks to the fierce ritualistic designs of Tibetan ceremonial masks. "This exhibition is a tribute to the universal urge to transform, perform, protect and belong — a silent dialogue between time and tradition," said Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, member secretary, IGNCA. "A mask is not just a cover, it is a doorway — into forgotten rituals, living traditions and the eternal theatre of humanity." IGNCA's collection includes festival masks from Thailand, expressive Korean Talchum masks known for blending satire with storytelling, and Indian tribal masks that use bold lines and bright hues to convey spiritual symbolism. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia acima de 100? Tente esse truque antes de dormir Saúde Nacional Undo Chinese opera masks, with their refined designs, further highlight the range of cultural narratives and aesthetic philosophies across Asia. In India, masks serve both ritualistic and performative purposes. Among the standout displays are the Saraikela masks from Jharkhand, meticulously fabricated from papier-mache and painted in vivid colours. These masks, depicting gods, animals and mythical beings, are central to the Chhau dance — a classical art form that fuses martial arts, storytelling, and acrobatics. Another unique subset is the Sri Lankan mask collection, consisting of Rakshasha (demon) masks and Sanniya masks, each representing specific diseases. Used in healing rituals and folk dramas, these masks blend supernatural beliefs with therapeutic traditions, creating a powerful fusion of performance and community healing. Dr Achal Pandya, head, conservation division, IGNCA, explained the motivation behind this public unveiling: "For years, these masks remained stored away. We felt it was time they were seen, studied and celebrated. The exhibition enables scholars, students and the public to experience these artefacts while preserving their integrity." According to Pandya, the initiative also resulted in a comprehensive reorganisation of the archives, ensuring accessibility without compromising conservation efforts. "This is not just an exhibition, but a step forward in our commitment to cultural preservation." What emerges from the exhibition is more than a display of artistic skill — a visual archive of human expression, spirituality and storytelling. Through these masks, visitors embark on a journey through the customs, festivals and folklore of Asia, discovering how masks have long served as tools for transformation, empowerment and identity. The exhibition, which opened in April, will run till July 15.
