KU to promote campus as ‘museum corridor’

Vishal Joshi

Dharohar, a museum of Haryanvi culture and archaeology, has set an example by earning Rs 34 lakh in the last 10 months, prompting Kurukshetra University (KU) to use innovative tools to promote its campus as a “museum corridor”.

University Vice-Chancellor KC Sharma says that there is a proposal to integrate another museum themed on the ‘First Movement of India’s Independence in 1857’ with Dharohar. “Since its inception in 2006, Dharohar has become a major attraction for visitors in Kurukshetra. It showcases the rural culture and various aspects of Haryanvi traditions. We are planning to add various features to attract more visitors to have a glimpse of Haryanvi heritage,” he says.

Sharma says as the KU is coming up with an innovation promotion hub to train the youth in various avocation options, the two museums may be adopted as a model under the proposed project.

“We have a highly qualified and experienced faculty in the departments of tourism and management. Soon, a committee will be formed to invite innovative ideas to promote museums. We may also rope in the KU alumni to get ideas for the project,” he adds.

Besides integrating the upcoming museum on the 1857 struggle with Dharohar, the KU is planning to open a cafeteria or a restaurant and a souvenir outlet.

Dr Maha Singh Poonia, former Curator of Dharohar, says that the museum has earned Rs 35 lakh from the sale of tickets since April last year. More than 25 lakh people had visited the museum since 2006, he adds.

However, Sharma clarifies that the KU will not project the museums as pure commercial ventures. “The basic motive of building museums is to apprise people of the rural culture and heritage. The museum dedicated to the 1857 uprising is almost ready for inauguration and we are open to expert suggestions for amendments or additions to the museums,” he adds.

 Dharohar: A window on Haryanvi culture 

• The museum makes a visitor feel being in a typical Haryanvi village. One of its galleries is a big open mud kitchen with containers, plates and glasses made of brass, mud pots to keep curd and water, cylindrical ceramic pots for pickles, and a woman cooking food on a traditional chulha with cow-dung cakes as fuel. 
• Traditional Haryanvi costumes and jewellery, handicraft, toys, storage containers made of brass and copper, farming tools, wooden carts, musical instruments, to name a few, are exhibited in another gallery.
• A corner dedicated to the Indian Army showcases pictures of martyrs. Towards the end of the museum, there is a beautifully constructed village.