MY INSTITUTION AND MY WORK BY JOYEE ROY (GHOSH) SR. TECHNICAL ASST. (ASST.CURATOR) VICTORIA MEMORIAL, KOLKATA, INDIA Rabindra Bharati Museum Jorasanko, Kolkata, India I was Engaged in Rabindra Bharati University Museum, Jorasanko, Kolkata from 1st June, 1999 to 18th May, 2003 as „Guide cum Cataloguer‟ (temporary staff). I had to look after computerized record keeping i.e. accessioning, cataloguing, stock verification and digitization of the total collection of the museum. I was also engaged in guiding the visitors. Rabindranath Tagore The Nobel laureate of Kolkata, India Famous Writer, Poet & Artist Rabindra Bharati University Museum was founded on 1961 by the State Government of West Bengal, India . It is the ancestral house of famous Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. Victoria Memorial Kolkata . From 19th May, 2003 onwards I am working in Victoria Memorial Hall as a Senior Technical Assistant ( Asst. Curator) in Documentation Unit Victoria Memorial was conceived by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of British India on expiry of Queen Victoria in 1901 H.H. Queen Victoria Victoria Memorial With Awesome Landscape It was expected to be a living institution in memory of the Queen with particular emphasis on Indo-British history with the contribution obtained from the Indian people of more than a core of rupees in those days, the Memorial was given a shape. The foundation stone was laid by King George V, the then Prince of Wales, on January 4, 1906 and it was formally opened to the public in 1921. Victoria Memorial: Beautiful garden Raised on a land measuring sixty-four acres a well mentained picturesque garden with its water-bodies, lawns, gravel pathways and trees offers visual treat to the visitors. The garden attracts more than 5 million visitors annually Victoria Memorial In the bird’s eye Victoria Memorial : Night view From October to June visitors may see in the evening the SON – ET – LUMIERE shows, “Pride & Glory- the story of Calcutta”. It is highly appreciated by both foreign & Indian visitors. The splendor of architecture The splendour is evident in its architecture. The architecture of the building is predominantly Italian Renaissance in character – blended with the nuances of Orientalism. The marble and sand stones used in its construction were quarried at Makrana, then in the Jodhpur State Sir William Emerson Victoria Memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson, President of the British Institute of Architects. The splendor of Sculptures The group of figures above the north porch were executed in Italy. These represent Motherhood, Prudence and Learning. Surrounding the main dome are figures of Art, Architecture, Justice, Charity etc. Angel of victory The figure of the Angel of Victory, 16 ft. high and weighing 3 tonnes surmounts the dome and revolves upon its own base. The building is 184 ft. high upto the base of the figure, of the Angel of Victory. The splendor of architecture now represents and draws our attention visually to the history of modern India. The history is constructed with the visuals of approx. 27,000 artefacts in oil and watercolour, sketches and drawing, aquatints and lithographs, stamps and postal stationery, coins and medals, arms and armour, books and manuscripts, sculptures & costumes, personal relics and archival documents.

If initial Curzonian scheme of collection and arrangement of the exhibits is seen as a composite representation of Empire, the post-independence collection could be Departments of Victoria

TotalMemorial Departments - 13 Total Staff - 170 ADMINISTRATIVE WING TECHNICAL WING *Office of the Secretary & Curator *Documentation Department *Administrative Department *Restoration Department *Accounts Department *Conservation Department *Security Department *Photography Department PUBLIC RELATIONS *Education Department > *Library DOCUMENTATION UNIT TOTAL STAFF- 4 SR. TECHNICAL ASSISTANT (ASST. CURATOR) – 2 TEMPORARY STAFF - 1 PEON - 1 RESPONSIBILITY We have to look after the total collection of Victoria Memorial Hall Total Artefacts : 27,393 • Oil paintings • Watercolour Drawings • Sketches • Engravings, Lithographs & Aquatints • Arms and Armour • Postal Stamps • Textiles • Coins, Medals & Tokens • Sculptures • Manuscripts • Books • Archival Documents Accessioning of Artefacts through Master Accession Register Entry in the Master Accession Register Computerized Accessioning through a

Database Software I am engaged in Cataloguing of Arms, Textiles & Abanindranath Tagore’s Paintings Training on software prepared & installed at VM by C-DAC, Pune, India Maintenance of Reserve Collection through Proper Storage Supervising the periodical dusting & cleaning once in a week Display of the Artefacts in the Gallery Round showcase to display Manuscripts Showcase to display Arms Showcase to display Documents Bust displayed on wooden stand Display of Old Cannon of Kaman Curating Temporary Exhibitions Curating outside exhibition organized by VM Prepared the entire content of Touch Screen Kiosk , recently launched at VM Assistance given to scholars from India & abroad regarding research on the collection of VMH. www.victoriamemorial-cal.org Updating the official Website of Victoria Memorial Hall Organizing Lecture & Seminar Guiding V.I.P.s as and when required Pursuing Ph.D. on Pata Chitra, Folk scroll painting of West Bengal, India Also on Santal Pat, Folk square painting of West Bengal, India Presented Papers in various Seminars & Conferences. THANK YOU