Calico Museum of Textiles

The Calico Museum of Textiles is located in the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat in western India.The museum is managed by the Sarabhai Foundation and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ahmedabad.

History

The museum was founded in 1949 by the industrialist Gautam Sarabhai and his sister Gira Sarabhai. Ahmedabad at that time had a flourishing textile industry. The museum was originally housed at the Calico Mills in the heart of the textile industry. But as the collection grew the museum was shifted to the Sarabhai House in Shahibaug.

Textile collection

The textiles on display include court textiles used by the Mughal and provincial rulers of 15th to 19th centuries. Also on display are regional embroideries of the 19th century, tie-dyed textiles and religious textiles. The galleries also have exhibits on ritual art and sculpture, temple hangings, miniature paintings, South Indian bronzes, Jain art and sculpture, and textile techniques galleries and a library. The museum has played an important role in determining the curriculum taught in the textile designing courses at the prestigious National Institute of Design also located in Ahmedabad.

The items on display are well protected by the museum authorities. The textile are protected from dust, air pollution and fluctuations in temperatures by the trees around the museum complex. The relative humidity inside the museum is also controlled and lights are dimmed between visiting hours to extend the life of the textiles.

References

* [http://www.calicomuseum.com/ Calico Museum Ahmedabad- Official Website]
* [http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo9906/99060420.htm An enchanted world, "The Hindu", June 20 1999]
* [http://www.indiaprofile.com/art-crafts/calicomuseum-ahmedabad.htm Calico Museum - The Textiles Carry Tales]