We have no words to thank Mr VN Singh, Director Chandigarh Museum who led a group of about 35 CATS personally through the Government Museum and Art Gallery yesterday. Taking us from the sculptures of Lord Ganesha and Maa Chandi to textiles where he showed us how to figure out the financial/social standing of an embroider through the Punjabi Phulkaris. An amazingly embroided piece which took artisans 26years to make, depicts the whole life Sikander from birth to death.
It was also interesting to see how Lord Budhha changed form over the centuries. If Oriental Budhha was slim and slender, then Budhha sculptures made under Punjabi influence was well built, sporting curly hair and moustache! Paintings by Thakar Singh and Sobha Singh left everyone speechless. Most wondrous painting was the one where no matter which angle you viewed it from, the foot of Guru Nanak Dev always pointed in your direction!
Highlight of the day was visiting the manuscript section where CATS had to remove their shoes and cover their heads prior to entering. There was something pious and spiritual in the air, even though we were not in a religious place of worship. It was humbling to be surrounded by The Geeta, The Janam Sakhi, The Holy Quran and Guru Granth Sahib concurrently. I, for sure felt ashamed of bartering the spiritual guidance diligently provided to us over the centuries in the pursuit of life.
Father of an 8yrs old son Ratan, CAT Tejinder said that he had spent all his life in Chandigarh but had never visited the Museum before. CAT Jolly also made similar observations, 'This is the first time that I am getting to see what's inside.The only time we were brought to the museum was to attend the painting competitions during school time!'
When asked what he learnt from the trip to the museum today, 6 year old Aman innocently remarked, 'We should not throw away statues and figurines in the water!' Our artistically challenged geek CAT Jay thought that the cows surrounding Lord Krishna in a painting resembled mice. CAT Pradeep betrayed his profession when he could not take his eyes of a painting playing with light at the ABS organised 'Rajasthan to UK' painting exhibition, where all the painters were from Rajasthan and had attained further training in UK. It was interesting to see painting done on post cards, a modern art work reflecting the five elements of life, painting done in sepian photography style.
CATS were required to cover their heads in order to be able to view the Holy Adi Granth and other religious manuscripts. Since I did not have enough time to inform each member individually, I would also like to register our gratitude to The Rotary Club of Chandigarh for giving us their caps on loan at a short notice.
Rumbling bellies were taken care of by Mr VN Singh, Director Chandigarh Museum and a couple of fellow CATS. The sight of samosas gave jitters to a few health conscious CATS to begin with, but it did not take long before many were found taking second helpings of yummy hot samosas with steaming cups of masala chai to beat the chill in the air and the noise in the belly. An absolutely animated and educative narration by Mr Singh made the trip a memorable one for CATS.
All the CATS, as usual, chipped in to help run the day without hitches.
We finished the day off with the brilliantly conceptualised and executed 'Light and Sound Show'.
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