Through the corridors of Arun Kumar Das Museum in Cachar, writes Dr. Deepjyoti Choudhury

Nov. 29: Located in the base of mysterious Bhuban Hill, a private museum exists in the remote Ganganagar Village near Amraghat in Cachar District, Assam. The Museum is owned and founded by Shri Arun Kumar Das. The 79 year old, retired teacher by profession devoted the entire life in the passion for collecting several antiques around the country since 1960s. The passion for antique collection ignited in his mind since the discussion with his instructors during the Normal teaching training days where he used to get advice to “teach things not to teach words”. In short he believed that demonstration teaching is more powerful than simple oral teaching.

The museum is self-built and the collections are on the verge of damage because of low maintenance and improper protection. It gives goose bumps when we think of such huge collection in a remote location of the country. Considering the collections strength, it can easily become a full-fledged museum on proper maintenance and investments. Currently it’s a one room museum without systematic arrangements and shelving of the antiques. Even many antiques are stored in his bedroom in packed condition.

Visiting the museum is free of cost. However the footfall in the museum is restricted to word of mouth reference by the visitors and the number of visitors can be counted in fingers. This is because of the ignorance and lack of information of the presence of museum in this locality. The visitor’s number is so less that in fact merely visiting and discussing the antiques to a stranger makes him exited and honored and the discussions may continue for hours like a hungry teacher waiting for his students to teach.

Collections:

He has many collections and not limited to what is being written here. His major collections include different old handwritten books like Ramayan’s lakshman Digbijoy, Chaitanya Charithamrito, Ujjal Nilmoni, Padma Puran and many others. Philately items and numismatic items are one of the major possessions in the museum. His coin collection dates back to East India Company regime, Maharani Victoria regime, 5^th George, 6^th George and many other coins of pre-independence era. Even many antique coins post-independence like hole coin (Futa Paisa), Noya Paisa etc are also present. His stamp collection consists of Indian stamps since 1947 and to add to the strength of collection, he has more than 250 country stamps, including India’s first Post Card and different series of post cards, envelopes, Inland Letters which are really a valuable treat to eyes and postal history in the era of digital communication.

Different antique gadgets, telegrams, gramophones, old musical instruments, old cultivation and grinding tools and techniques of pre industrialization era, tree stones and different varieties  of stones and bricks. A specific brick is there with date 1694 inscribed on it which is more than 300 years old. Almost 50 varieties of tree parts and leaves fossils, corals, more than 25 varieties of bamboo species, marine life creatures and their shells, animal skins, different types of conch shells, Oyster Shells, different types of horns, tiger and elephant teeth, verities of tortoise and turtle shells and their eggs, notable persons’ autographs, handicrafts, 150 years old flute, different tribal jewelry and many more. Endangered trees like blueberry beads trees (Rudrakhsa Tree), chebulic myrobalan ( Haritaki tree), and Artabotrys Hexapetalus (Chapa Flower) are also present in his residence.

Notable achievements:

This museum has been visited by many eminent persons from political fields to academics and many. Late Sushma Swaraj, Late Tarun Gogoi and local MP, MLA to name a few. This museum has been visited by different foreign nationals from America, Germany and France. In fact mesmerized by the scenic view of Bhuban Hill and Antique collection of museum, a citizen of Germany stayed 5 days in his residence. He was felicitated in different occasions in different fairs, events and exhibitions since 1969, also in shilpo mela in 1981, and another exhibition in 1994. Special felicitation was conferred upon him by the tourism department in the year 2005 in Barak Utsav. A huge exhibition was also set up during Namami Barak festival in 2017.

Financial Support:

He did not receive any major financial support or fund from any source to run his museum but to highlight a few, Silchar municipality once invited and awarded him with thirty thousand rupees for lighting provisions in the museum and a local MLA supported him with Rs. 50000 to construct the museum room. However, the room constructed in no way looks like a museum, rather looks like a small assam type one roomed godown or a warehouse.

His Challenges:

He is in real dearth of funds and financial support, since running a full fledged museum is not easy. He has no infrastructure to keep the antique items, no medicines nor insecticides to save the items from pests and insects, no showacse or proper shelf to display the antiques and age old items. The collectors’ item were on the verge of damage due to nil maintenance and lack of human capital support. Time is short as Sri Arun Kumar Das is already in 80’s and suffering from old age ailments, thus if the authorities or public do not give proper  attention  to this valuable treasures then time is not very far we may loose a very precious, knoweledgable citizen and his collections. And during his absence, may be this antiques shall be sold in weight or discarded because of lack of importance to the neighbourhood and next generation family members.

How to Visit:

Ganganagar is located at a distance of 35km approx. from Silchar on the way to Silchar- Aizawl Road. First a left turn is to be taken at Kabuganj Bazar Point (23 Kms). Kabuganj Bazar Point to Straight Amraghat (13 Kms) on the way Palonghat Bazar, Darmikhal Bazar, Darmikhal High School. Next after crossing Amraghat Bridge 1.5 kms to Ganganagar Post Office towards Motinagar. After Reaching Ganganagar Post office, search for the lane Krishnapur Road and enquire locals about Sri Arun Kumar Das and his museum.

**Dr. Deepjyoti Choudhury, Assistant Professor, Assam University, Silchar.