Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum Reopens, Showcasing Parsi-Zoroastrian Heritage | File Photo
Mumbai: The Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum at Khareghat Colony, Hughes Road (N S Patkar Road), the only centre in Mumbai that showcases Parsi-Zoroastrian history, will reopen today after extensive restoration and upgradation.
The archaeological and ethnographic museum, set up by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet in 1954, received a grant from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for the restoration.
Dr Pheroza J Godrej, the museum’s honorary director and advisor, said the display cases and lighting from the 197Os have been replaced with contemporary museum layouts and spotlighting. The text on exhibit labels have been made more attractive. The labels will also have information in Braille.
A new feature is a recreation of a Fire Temple. “The exhibit will have a recitation of prayers that are dying out. Our community is shrinking and priesthood is not as attractive as it once was,” said Godrej.
The museum, apart from being a window to the culture and religious history of the Parsi Iranian Zoroastrian community, also offers glimpses into life in 19th century Mumbai. One exhibit will showcase the lifestyle of a Parsi merchant in Mumbai from that era, said Firoza Punthakey Mistree, honorary director and advisor to the museum.
There will be galleries of photographs of lesser-known Parsi personalities and women who were among the first to break barriers in education and public life, said Godrej. Other plans include public lectures, a reference library, space for temporary exhibitions, audio-visual areas, and a cafeteria. There are plans for cooperation with the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya at Gamdevi to include the museum in the itinerary of visitors coming there
In the past, the museum loaned objects for exhibitions abroad. Dr Shehernaz Nalwala, vice-president of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, said, “It is a small museum. However, it is significant because it preserves the memory of the people who came from Persia (Iran) to India. It is the only exclusive museum in Mumbai in ancient Iranian and Zoroarastrian history.”
The revamped museum will be inaugurated this evening in the presence of Godrej, Punthakey-Mistree, and Viraf Mehta, Chairman, Bombay Parsi Punchayet. There will also be a film screening and a book release.
Revamped Museum Showcases Rare Artifacts, Manuscripts, and Historic Relics of Parsi-Zoroastrian Heritage
Rare archaeological finds from Susa and Yazd in Iran.
Zoroastrian manuscripts of the yasna, as well as manuscripts of the Vendidad.
Old photographs and postcards documenting early development of Mumbai.
A firman of Emperor Jehangir issued in 1618 CE granting a jagir (land grant) to two Parsis of Navsari.
The calling card of freedom fighter Dadabhai Naoroji when he was elected to the British House of Commons between 1892 and 1895.
Chinaware reflecting the trade ties between Parsi merchants and China when they owned ships and traded in cotton, opium, and textiles
Furniture owned by early Parsis reflecting European influences in the lifestyle of Parsi merchants.
