Chennai: The state government’s prestigious Tamil Nadu maritime heritage museum project will come up about 400 metres from the historic Shore Temple that lends charm to Mamallapuram and will be beyond the high tide line.
The Tamil Nadu tourism development corporation (TTDC) has obtained all clearances from the Union environment ministry for establishing the museum near the Shore Temple. “As the project falls within the CRZ, the government obtained all necessary environment clearances. It will be safe and be an added attraction at the ancient port town,” says Hemant Kumar Sinha, commissioner of tourism.
The museum will be the 12th of its kind in the world and second one in India after the INS Kursura museum in Visakhapatnam. The decommissioned INS Vagli will be towed next month from Chennai port to be placed on a lengthy platform at Mamallapuram.
Though it will be easy to tow the submarine on water, the real challenge will confront the promoters when they attempt to place it on a platform. The vessel will be lifted and placed on a 100-foot-long platform.
TTDC officials have plans to use air balloons to heave it up on a makeshift track and haul it up to the platform, the official said. “The museum will have two components – the submarine and the museum.
The design of the museum will match the Pallava structure in Mamallapuram,” Sinha added. Visitors can walk through the air-conditioned submarine and get a real feel of the life of a sailor in a submarine. The project is scheduled to be ready by mid-2015.
Mamallapuram is among the seven ancient ports/port towns that once existed along the coast of Tamil Nadu and, like the rest, is said to have been submerged under the sea owing to coastal erosion, sea-level changes, neo-tectonic activity and other causes. Besides MamaÂllaÂpuram, KaveriÂpoomÂpattiÂnam, NagaÂpattinam, Korkai, Alagankulam, AriÂkamedu and PeriyaÂpaÂttinam have played a prominent role in transoceanic trade in the past.
Interestingly, MamallaÂpuram is known to earlier mariners as ‘Seven Pagodas’. But only the Shore Temple remains now.
Next: Museobus is set to roll out soon
Museobus is set to roll out soon
Chennai: In an effort aimed at enaÂbling the people to explore the rare collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment, the GovernÂment Egmore Museum at Pantheon Road, will soon launch the 'Museobus' — the Museum on Wheels.
The white, red and blue coloured bus with the letters “Museobus” painted in green is getting ready and it will soon visit places to educate the members of the public, particularly children. Serving as a mobile repository of artifacts, it will display about 30 pieces in glass panels.
The Rs 30 lakh bus, speciÂaÂlly designed to serve the purpose, would also have pictorial representation and divided into various sections to attract the chÂildren and elders alike. Presently, the work to arÂrange the artifacts is on and it will be launched shortly.
According to sources, the museum authorities had the body of the bus specially made to resemble more of a museum. “We do not want to disappoint the visitors…One could get a feel of visiting an actual museum,” a senior official said and added that the bus would also comprise of an LCD panel for displaying the items inside.
Sources said that the Museobus was aimed at educating the students, especially those studying in government schools. Once launched, this Museum on Wheels will also travel to various districts in the state. It would also be a source of information, which one might not obtain easily from books or the Internet.
This is the first time the government has come out with an innovative project to make museum reach the people literally. Though exhibitions are organised frequently, the mobile museum as a concept would help to make the people realise that museums are treasure trove of vibrant history, it is reasoned.
