Established
in 1948, the Calico Museum of Textiles is undoubtedly one of India's
leading museums. Its superb collection of textiles is further enhanced by
a line collection of pichhwais and patachitras (paintings
on cloth). The museum is housed in two buildings, one displaying textiles
of religious significance and the other traditional court fabrics, tents,
carpets and costumes.
Recognising the fact that most an in India
revolves around religion, the museum endeavours to present its collection
in themes connected with the two great Indian religions: Vaishnavism and
Jainism, and simulates a suitable religious atmosphere. The first exhibit
is a replica of a small recoiytructed Pustimarga shrine with an
idol of Srinathji placed on an altar, covered with a painted textile. The
shrine leads to galleries where pichhwais and textiles belonging
to the Vallabha sect are displayed. The 90 pichhwais are divided
into groups relating to festivals, seasons and a variety of devotional
themes.
The Jain Gallery includes shrines, derasaras of
the Svetambara and Digambara sects as well as a small home shrine,
important manuscripts tike the Kalpasuira and Kalakakatha
and Jain patas: the yantras and tirtha chitras. The main attraction,
however, is a painted, domed, wooden ceiling of a derasara.
Three
buildings with traditional carved wooden facades located around the chowk
house the courtly or secular pieces. Here one sees beautiful carpels,
embroidered and decorated shamianas, wall hangtogs and costumes.
There is an excellent display of phulkari, the embroiti Punjab.
Also on view are well known kalamkaris and saris. A signific
presents the different weaviftg o with the help of samples, techn and
their relation to the different seas.
Calico Museum of Textiles
Ahffiedabad
Timings: 10.15 am to .12.30 pm 2.30 pm to 5.00
pm
Closed on Wednesdays and government holidays.
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