The Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad is set for a proposed modernisation programme covering its galleries, visitor amenities, safety systems, storage facilities and educational initiatives, Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said after chairing a meeting of the museum’s board on October 17.
Shukla, who is also chairman of the Salar Jung Museum Board, reviewed 13 agenda items related to the museum’s development, infrastructure and education programmes at a meeting held at Lok Bhavan. The proposals are intended to improve the presentation of the museum’s collections and attract more students and young visitors.
Curator (Display) Ritesh Sharma presented plans for upgrading several galleries, including the Carpet Gallery, Modern Art Gallery, Indian Miniature Gallery, Toy and Taxidermy Gallery, Furniture Gallery, Textile Gallery and Children’s Gallery. Improvements to the Musical Clock Area were also discussed.
The proposals include the development of a temporary exhibition gallery, a stepwell and an interactive orientation space. The orientation facility is intended to help visitors understand the museum’s collections and displays more easily. Improvements to internal and external signage, fire safety signs, amenity displays and the main directory board are also under consideration.
The infrastructure works discussed at the meeting include installing centralised air-conditioning, improving public amenities and washrooms, waterproofing the roof, creating dedicated storage for carpets and upgrading existing elevators. The museum is also considering the installation of an additional elevator to improve movement within the facility.
Other priorities identified during the meeting included renovating the museum’s guest house, preparing a master plan, strengthening project management and coordinating curatorial activities. The report did not specify a project cost, construction schedule or implementation deadline for the proposed works.
The modernisation agenda also includes changes to the way the museum presents its collections. Shukla said rare artefacts and historical collections should be presented through contemporary formats, modern technology and improved interpretation methods. He described museums as institutions that connect future generations with history, art and the evolution of civilisation.
Curator (Education) Joyoti Roy presented the museum’s educational programmes and initiatives for students and young people. The programmes are focused on familiarising them with the country’s history, art and cultural heritage. Discussions following the presentations covered gallery modernisation and improvements to exhibition methods.
The proposals place visitor experience alongside the conservation and management needs of the museum. Roof waterproofing, climate control, carpet storage and elevator upgrades relate to the protection and accessibility of the institution’s collections, while signage, orientation facilities and gallery improvements address how visitors navigate and interpret the museum.
The Salar Jung Museum Board is expected to take forward discussions on the proposed gallery upgrades, infrastructure improvements, master plan, project management arrangements and educational initiatives. No further implementation milestones were announced in the report.
