The authorities of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum have embarked on a mission to secure Rs 25 crore in funding from the state government to kickstart their ambitious “Museum City” project. This visionary endeavor will occupy six acres of government-granted land in Bavdhan and aims to address the museum’s longstanding space constraints.
In a significant development, the state government had allocated land to the museum in two phases back in 2005. However, despite 18 years passing, the museum authorities have struggled to secure sufficient funds to commence construction. Recently, they presented a proposal to request funding from both deputy chief ministers, as reported by TOI on Saturday. The estimated cost for the complete Museum City, which includes the main museum building and a facility center, is projected to reach Rs 90 crore.
Director Sudhanva Ranade expressed the museum’s pressing need for space, stating, “We have approached the state government to allocate an initial Rs 25 crore to kickstart the project, which is expected to provide space for over 24,000 artifacts. Currently, the museum, situated off Bajirao road, part of Pune’s cultural heritage, displays only 11 percent of the 24,000-plus artifacts, while the rest are stored in large storage rooms or below the main display due to space constraints.”
The inception of the Kelkar Museum owes its gratitude to the dedicated efforts of Late Padmashree Dr. DG alias Kakasaheb Kelkar, who meticulously collected an exceptional array of folk arts and Indian craftsmanship. In 1975, he generously donated and entrusted his remarkable collection to the Maharashtra government, with the noble intention of preserving it for future generations.
Presently, the museum’s three-story building houses eight galleries, showcasing the most extensive collection of diverse artifacts representing various facets of everyday Indian arts and crafts.
The state government allocated land to the museum in two phases in 2002, with the condition that construction of the new building must take place within a stipulated timeframe. However, a shortage of funds hindered progress on the ambitious project, as explained by Ranade.
Earlier this year, the museum once again applied to government authorities for an extension to continue using the government-allocated land for construction purposes.
Ranade elaborated on their efforts, stating, “We have been reaching out to local authorities and even the corporate sector for financial assistance for the new construction. Last month, I contacted the state government, and we hope that the funds will be granted to commence construction on this land. Importantly, the Divisional Commissioner of Pune Division has already submitted the proposal to the Department of Culture, Government of Maharashtra, to solicit the necessary funding, awaiting approval from the State Government.”
He added, “At present, we have constructed a compound wall and have a borewell dug at the site, along with completing some basic infrastructure work.”
In a bid to secure the future of the “Museum City” project, the museum had applied to the local administration for a five-year extension to use the land for the proposed construction until 2028.
Currently, the proposal for another five-year extension, submitted by the Pune divisional commissioner to the state government, is under consideration, according to reports from the Pune district administration.
The forthcoming “Museum City” promises to be a state landmark due to its extensive display of artifacts. Ranade emphasized that if the government allocates funds for this project, the priceless items painstakingly collected by his grandfather can be preserved for future generations.
While the state government had previously increased the museum’s annual maintenance grant from Rs 55 lakh to Rs 60 lakh, the museum’s board has submitted a proposal to the State Government through the Divisional Commissioner several times, seeking a further increase to Rs 85 lakh per annum.
