Recently, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) was conferred with the 'Award of Excellence' at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation-2022.
The conservation approach well incorporated both traditional craftsmanship and rigorous techniques for stablising the structure. The whole approach has been adequately enforced with technical excellence. The project sets a standard for the conservation of world heritage monuments in India and beyond.
The museum has initiated comprehensive repairs and restoration of the main and extensive building, exteriors, and interiors in a phased manner. The majority of restoration work was completed during the pandemic. Difficult works on the dome, staircase, and common areas were undertaken. Racing against time, the contracts maintained supplies in perpetuity.
An elaborate scaffolding was erected in the interiors. Painting, refurbishment along with new lighting and colour scheme has brought out it's true grandeur.
The twenty-one crores restoration project was founded by TCS Foundation. The director of CSMVS described the completion of the restoration and repair of the museum amid the pandemic crises.
The museum is one of the institutions built by the people and for the people since it is not financially supported by the government. It is also one of the heritage memoirs that has remained unchanged, which is very rare to have in a city like Mumbai.
Earlier in 2010, the museum received an 'honourable mention' at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
After the construction work was completed in 1914, the space was used for many purposes- from a hospital to children's and women's welfare centers. On January 10, 1922, it was finally thrown open to the public as a museum.
The timing is serendipitous because the museum, a World Heritage Site is celebrating it's centenary this year. The heroic project was well applauded.
The restoration of a major civic institution in the historic city of Mumbai has been praised.
The recognition is a hat tip to the minds that conceive, execute and fund heritage restoration in Mumbai.
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References:
- freepressjournal.in
- timesofindia.com
- hindustantimes.com