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The legend of Maize God

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Maize God also known as Corn God is one of the most important deities in Mesoamerica, especially during Classic Maya period. Maize was the staple crop of most of the Pre-Columbian North American, Mesoamerican and South American cultures that redefined their cultural, social and economical parameters. The Corn God was believed to be decapitated once harvesting began and then reborn at the start of the new growing season therefore the god was not just associated with maize itself, but also with the cycle of rebirth, the cycle of seasons and the associated growth of crops. Several representations of Corn God have appeared throughout the Pre-Columbian civilisations. The earliest representations appear during the Early Classic Maya where he is depicted as a young male with stylized maize on the top of the head. In the Late Classic Period, he is depicted with an elongated human head shaved in sections across the forehead and is the prototype for  Hun Hunahpu  from the  Popul Vuh . Another fo
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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF MUSEUMS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

                                                                                                                                                                       © -Ankita Gupta Museums are vessels that house the vast historical and cultural treasures of past for future generations to appreciate. With careful documentation and preservation of the artefacts, museums bridge the time gap offering present a glimpse into the lives of the past, the ethnicities and cultures. They are moreover practically viable, productively engaging, and enjoyable modes of delving deep into one’s roots. With the world going through a Pandemic and everything becoming digitally available and accessible, it was time for the museums to transform digitally in order to survive. In the beginning it was sure challenging for many museums because of the lack of resources, funding and the fact that they had to start everything from scratch i.e. digitisation of collection and new opportunities for the public, a
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Bookmarks: From the Days of Yore to Present

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Bookmark is a tool, made of leather, fabric or paper, used by the readers to keep track of their reading progress. As an avid reader, I too use bookmarks and I like bookmarks so much that I have started to make them on my own. Paper bookmarks made by Yours Truly Bookmarks have a very interesting history that dates back to the early days of bookmaking where these were used by highly skilled monks in their incunabula. These early bookmarks were made of leftover pieces of vellum or leather used to make book cover. Various shapes were noticed like a plain strand, clip-on triangle and a rotating disc. Rotating Disc Bookmark made of Vellum Different types of bookmarks were used on different mediums i.e. if the pages were wet, a blotting or a plain paper was used; if the pages were dry and it was mostly a script, a simple ribbon would appease; and for fine illumination pages, a vellum bookmark was used. The oldest bookmark found is from 1584. It was a fringed silk bookmark that was presented
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Standing Buddha: Masterpiece of National Museum, New Delhi

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One of the masterpieces of National Museum, New Delhi currently displayed in the Kushana Gallery of National Museum. The Gandhara art of the Peshawar valley is known for some of the most charming and magnificent sculptures in dark grey schist. The present sculpture is typically Gandhara in style- marked by long flowing drapery placed loosely on the body with heavy schematic folds. The right hand, which is largely lost, was in Abhaya mudra, a typical feature of Standing Buddhas. He is holding the hem of the Sanghati in his left hand. With Abhaya mudra he assures his devotees with ultimate salvation. And thus Lord Buddha attained the status as the saviour of humankind. Source: Masterpieces of National Museum #museumstudies #museumwonk #standingbuddha #buddha #buddharelics #gandhara #gandharaschoolofart #gandharastyle #museummarketing #museumlover #museology #museumdisplay #museumdesign #gallerydesign #museumsofindia #nationalmuseumnewdelhi 
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Mouse Catcher- An interesting find from Harappan period

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Object Name- Mouse Catcher Accession No. CH 134/287 The object is a mouse catcher with holes for the metal grid to trap the mouse. It belongs to Harappan Period and was found in Chanhudaro. The object is made of terracotta and is 16 cm in length. The object is currently displayed in the Harappan Gallery of National Museum, New Delhi. Photo Courtesy- museumsofindia.gov.in
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YARGHU: A multi-spindle cannon cleaner

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Fatullah Shiraji Engineer and Inventor of Emporer Akbar's Court devised this portable cannon cleaner for cleaning sixteen barrels at a time employing a single Bullock. It is a huge eight-legged installation probably made of iron approximately 8ft. high. The octagonal frame, nearly 20ft. corner to corner is mounted on top of the frame. The central vertical shaft or axle is fitted on two large fixed bearings at the top and the bottom and carry a huge toothed wheel just below the top bearing. On the periphery of the top bearing there are light sockets which face eight others fixed in the corners of the octagonal frame and the brushes are placed between them. The detachable brush rods are composite structures consisting of a central pinion and two brush rods of equal length. Barrels for cleaning could be slid over the brush rods from both sides and the assembly thus made, could be lifted on the octagonal frame in position so that the pinions rest in mesh with the central larg
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Indian Air Force Museum

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Indian Air Force Museum in Palam, New Delhi houses a rich collection of memorabilia of Indian Military Aviation and displays the history of Indian Air Force. The museum comprises of Annex and hanger. The Annex houses portraits, photographs of Indian officers from 2nd World War, wing commanders, air chief generals and other Indian officers associated with Air Force. The museum also showcases gifts and momentoes presented to these officers. Hanger comprises of different types of military aircrafts. Apart from photographs and aircrafts, there is a towering statue of Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon who was awarded Param Vir Chakra for his heroism, supreme gallantry and flying skills . The museum is open on Wednesday-Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The entry is free for all.
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