We admit that despite living in a city that affords easy access to galleries, theatre programmes and talks and workshops – we don’t end up catching as many cultural experiences as we’d like. There are several reasons for that, ranging from odd timings and traffic to sheer laziness. So we were quite excited to hear of the launch of two online museums that can provide us a fascinating look at years of Indian history and culture, all while we’re happily lounging in our pajamas on a lazy afternoon or whiling away our lunch hour. Read on to know why you too should check them out.
Sahapedia
In a country as vast as ours, there’s no dearth of cultural experiences, but although efforts are being made to preserve these traditions and spread awareness, they are scattered and have limited reach. Sahapedia aims to bring together our vast heritage by forming a comprehensive, interactive encyclopedia of Indian culture. Started by Sudha Gopalakrishnan, a former Sahitya Akademi employee and former head of the National Mission, the recently launched website is divided into different sections such as Knowledge Traditions, Visual and Material Arts, Performance Arts, Histories and so on. Besides text, one can also view images and videos on a variety of topics that range from the ancient art form of Tolpavakoothu or shadow puppetry practiced in Kali temples in Kerala to a conversation on prolific Urdu writer, Ishmat Chugtai.
The information currently available is the result of extensive research carried out by the NGO, which comprises a team of historians, anthropologists, artistes and videographers. Tie-ups with institutions such as the NCPA, Paramparik Karigar and Delhi’s NSD has yielded access to their archives, while a collection of old journals and manuscripts are also being added to. Sahapedia’s also keen on building on this repository through contributions, in a format similar to Wikipedia, though each contribution will be vetted by the team before being published ensuring greater accuracy and control over the information being shared on the site.
Watch Out For: Chhau Masks, a photoseries documenting the making of Seraikela Chhau masks (Chhau is a tribal dance by inhabitants of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal); The Brocades Of Benares, a talk with a master weaver of the famed fabric.
Mintage World
A passion project started by city-based businessman Sushil Agrawal, Mintage World is an online repository of coins, notes and stamps that aims to appeal to the casual browser as well as hobbyists and serious collectors. Much of the collection currently on the site has been drawn from private collections of its advisory board, which includes noted philatelists, notaphilists and numismatists such as Rezwan Razack and Kaizad Todywalla.
Though the website is only a month old and still a work in progress, there’s plenty to pique one’s curiosity. The selection of coins on display are a fascinating look into the evolution of India with pieces from the ancient regions of Gandhara Janapada (present day Pakistan) and Magadha Janapada (modern-day Bihar) that existed between 600 BC and 300 BC right down to the days of the Raj and finally, independent India. The collection of commemorative stamps, in particular, are also are a wonderful tumble down the rabbit hole to the past. Each display comes with snippets of information, collected by Agrawal’s team of researchers, though you need to sign up for premium membership to get access to a more detailed version. You could also chose to linger over their blog posts, which offer interesting trivia, while the events and news sections will keep you up to date with the latest in the world of numismatics and philately. If you’re a collector and would like to share your treasures, you can upload images of your collection, which once vetted by Agrawal’s team will be added to the website. Plans are also in the works to form a club where members could buy and trade collections.
Watch Out For: Rare coins engraved with the 12 signs of the zodiac that were in circulation during the time of Mughal Emperor Jehangir.