National Workshop in Museology

ALIGARH.The Department of Museology, Aligarh Muslim
University today organized a three day National Workshop on "Nature
Interpretation and Diorama Making in Museum". Renowned artist, Mr. Shamshad
Husain was the chief guest and AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer
Uddin Shah presided over the inaugural ceremony.

On this occasion, Mr. Shamshad Husain presented a rare painting of his
father, M. F. Husain to the Vice Chancellor.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Gulshan Kharbanda, Proprietor of
Akriti, New Delhi said that conventionally, the themes for Dioramas were
environment related, be it habitat related or ecology related or
environment conservation related. But today the themes can be industrial,
architectural or any technology to communicate about.

He said that today in the world of digitization, we employ various gadgets
like touch screens, andio commentary with sound and light effects,
electronics and mechanical animations.

Highlighting the theme of the workshop, Professor S. Asif A. Naqvi said
that today the dioramic presentation techniques have drastically modernized
and improved and have become more communicative by incorporating modern
audiovisual, digital and mechanical devices and methods.

Welcoming the delegates, Dr. Abdurraheem K., Chairman, Department of
Museology at AMU said that this worlshop has been organized as a part of
efforts to develop the University Museum into a world class Museum as
announced by the Vice Chancellor.

He said that a number of people have donated artefacts, manuscripts,
photographs, coins etc. for the AMU Museum. He said that Princess Aliya
Sultana from Baroda has promised to donate some eggs of dinosaurs to AMU
Museum.

In his presidential address, AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Zameer
Uddin Shah said that he has been a great fan of M. F. Husain's paintings.
M. F. Husain had presented a painting to AMU which was destroyed or stolen
in the past.

He said that AMU has decided to establish only one Central Museum. He said
that diorama was an ideal choice.

Prof. Irfan Ahamed, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences also addressed the
inaugural function. Mr. Gaurav, Scientist, National Museum of Natural
History, New Delhi proposed a vote of thanks.

On this occasion, AMU Vice Chancellor gave away prizes to winners of essay
writing competition organized on the occasion of world Heritage Day.