Lucknow University's Arts College Museum Remains Inaccessible for Eight Years
The museum at the College of Fine Arts and Craft of Lucknow University has been locked for over eight years, with approximately 600 valuable artefacts lying packed and unused. This situation persists despite the completion of restoration work on these items, raising concerns about their long-term preservation and academic utility.
Renovation Focus Excludes Museum
The Arts College is currently undergoing renovation work, but this phase is concentrated on upgrading classrooms, laboratories, and basic facilities. The museum has not been included in these efforts. Of the sanctioned amount, around Rs 2.5 crore has been released specifically for enhancing academic infrastructure, including smart technology in classrooms, modernizing laboratories, and improving amenities, while maintaining the existing structure.
Historical Artefacts at Risk
In 2016, the Ministry of Culture sanctioned Rs 3 crore for the restoration of the Arts College Museum. The collection includes rare items such as:
- A chessboard belonging to Awadh's last nawab, featuring ivory pawns
- Numerous sculptures and paintings
- Historical coins and manuscripts
- Traditional craft objects
- Artworks by renowned artists like Sudhir Ranjan Khastgir
The first instalment of Rs 1.15 crore was utilized between 2016 and 2018 by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for artefact restoration. Although the restoration was completed and the artefacts were formally registered, they were never reinstalled, leaving the museum closed and the items stored in polythene sheets and boxes.
Academic and Preservation Concerns
A senior teacher from Lucknow University expressed alarm, stating, "For nearly 10 years, the museum has remained closed. If action is not taken now, the entire restoration effort will lose its purpose. Moisture and dust will render the artefacts useless." The teacher highlighted that institutions like Visva Bharati, Shantiniketan, and Lucknow University are among the few in India that maintain museums for academic study, but here, the museum's in-charge has been reassigned to clerical duties due to the facility's non-functional status.
Official Responses and Future Plans
Works Department Superintendent Shyamlesh Tiwari explained, "The museum was not part of the first phase of renovation. A utilisation certificate has been submitted, and renovation of the museum will begin after the next instalment is released."
Arts College Principal Ratan Kumar added, "I have written repeatedly to higher authorities seeking funds for the museum. The funds sanctioned earlier were exhausted, and only part of the work could be completed."
Lucknow University spokesperson Mukul Srivastava clarified, "The renovation plan includes the Arts College Museum, but it has been scheduled for the second phase."
Finance Officer Himani Chaudhary noted, "Approval for the second instalment has already been granted, and further financial procedures are underway."
The delay underscores broader challenges in preserving cultural heritage within academic institutions, as valuable artefacts remain inaccessible to students and researchers, potentially compromising their condition and educational value.
