Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum History
Dr. D.G. Kelkar, brainchild of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, established the Museum in 1962 in memory of his son who died at the age of seven. Deeply moved by his son’s death, Dr. Kelkar resolved to do something for his son. This is how he conceived the idea of a Museum.
Baba Kelkar spent 60 years of his life travelling to remote places in India and abroad collecting and purchasing rare and relic objects. Dr. Kelkar later donated the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Pune to Maharashtra government in 1975.
Major Attractions of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum Pune
The Museum that reminds of a colourful Rajasthani-style building manifests Dr. Kelkar’s love for art and aesthetics. Baba Kelkar had taken care of every detailing in the Museum – right from the elegantly carved teak doors at exteriors to the designs made in the elevator and even sculpting of the snack shop inside the Museum. The myriad collection of 21,000 odd artifacts include objects like writing instruments, toys, pottery, betel nut cutters, hookahs, lamps and various musical instruments. Some of the relics found in Raja Dinkar Khelkar Museum Pune dates back to the Maratha and Mughal period.
A must see artifact is a suit of armour made from crocodile skin and fish scales. Another major attraction of the Museum is the Mastani Mahal. Dr. Kelkar with the help of technicians dismantled a section of Mastani Mahal that was lying abandoned in the forests of Kothrud and shifted it to present location of the Museum at Bajirao Road. The Mahal - furnished with rich, bright and elaborate designs - represents the perfect bed chamber of Bajirao’s dearest Mastani. The Mahal gives you a feel of a palace inside the Museum.
A tambool collection that belonged to the emperors of 18th century can also be seen in the Museum. This collection includes an interesting and brilliantly designed set of betel nut cutters, spittoons and lime containers. Shields, daggers, canons and various other artilleries used during the wars are also exhibited.
The ground floor of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune exhibits potteries and vessels of 18th and 19th century collected from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala. Most of these utensils are made of copper, brass and terracotta. Look out for an interesting vessel called Dabado, which Baba Kelkar managed to get hold off in Gujarat. Dabado was mainly used to transfer dowry items in Gujarat.
Idols of goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Shiva and paintings depicting the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana are also displayed in the Museum. The beautiful chitrakathi paintings are one of the highlights of the Museum. Don’t miss out the intricately designed silver ornaments and ivory objects made during the Mughal era.
The Vanita Kaksha, in the new building of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, displays the daily used toiletries by women during emperor rule like foot-cleaners, combs, vermillion caskets, mirrors and collyrium boxes. These items show the innovativeness and brilliance of people living during early period.
Musical instruments like Saarangi contributed by renowned instrumentalist Ustad Kadarbaksh Khan, Sarinda by P.L. Deshpande, flute by Pannalal Ghosh, mini Tanpura by Bal Gandharva, Taal Shenai by Madukar Golwalkar are on display.
The Museum also has a library and a laboratory that will help one to get an insight of India’s rich and colourful past. A visit to Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune will surely transport you to the days of Emperor Rule.
Timings: 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Entry fee: Rs 20 for adults; Rs 5 for children below 12 years; Rs 200 for foreigners
Address
1377-78, Natu Baug (near Abhinav Kala Mandir)Off. Bajirao Road
Shukrawar Peth
Pune, Maharashtra - 411002
Phone: 020 2446 1556, 020 24474466
The Museum is centrally located and the best mode of transportation is by bus or auto in Pune.
