| Located in the center of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, this is the oldest museum in the state. The building was designed by colonel Sir Swinton Jacob. It was built in 1876 when king Edward VII
visited India as the Prince of Wales. It was opened to public in 1886 there is also an Egyptian mummy belonging to the Ptolemaic Epoch. There are miniature paintings of various sub-schools of Rajasthan. A
glimpse of the land the people of Rajasthan is presented through well planned dioramas. From 1959 onwards the various galleries along the ground floor of the museum were completely reorganized and renovated.
People of Rajasthan, (both males and females) from the higher strata of society, such as Rajputs and seths as well as the common tribal people like Mennas, Bhopas, Bhils, Gadoliya Lohar etc. find depiction
here in their typical dresses and ornaments. Typical designs and motifs in Mehndi Mandana, so characteristic of Rajasthani ladies, are also highlighted in the gallery. In the antechamber of wing is
exhibited puppetry from Rajasthan & the painted scroll delineating the scenes from pabuji Rathore's life, a great folk hero from Marwar. The central gallery is devoted to Rajasthani music and dance. Original
musical instrument, both classical and folk, are displayed in their functional positions. Specimens include typical folk instruments like Masak, Kama, Yacha, Dadh, Madal, Khanjari, Satari, Bankia, Pungi,
Alogoja, Iktara etc. the dances illustrated in the gallery include classical ones like kathak for which Jaipur Gharana is famous, as well as popular folk dances such as Dandia, Ghoomar Holi etc. festivals &
ceremonies (like marriage) are also dioramized in a lively manner. The museum functions as the State Museum of Rajasthan. |
