A Visit to an Art Exhibition

It was a rare opportunity when we visited "Enduring Images" art exhibition. It was held at the National Museum, New Delhi fro 15th November to 40th January. It was held to celebrate the 56th year of Indian independence. It was very educative and interesting. It was also the biggest of its kind. It was organized so beautifully and on a grand scale.Our history teacher took us to the exhibition. Our school had organized it and we feel very grateful to our school authorities for it. We were 20 students, boys and girls, in all from 9th and 10th class sections. We reached the National Museum by a school-van. Our history teacher had explained in brief about the exhibits and their historical and cultural importance. Being students of history, we had some back ground knowledge about the ancient civilization of the world.On display were 327 unique art objects, each rate valuable and masterpiece. We looked at them with wonder and awe. They dazzled our eyes and filled our hearts with great joy as our teacher explained them to us. These were broght from the British Museum, London on transfer. They will be sent back to London some time after the second exhibition in Mumbai is over. It was inaugurated on 15th October by the British Prince Charles and the Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.The exhibits were from India, China, Egypt, Greece, Rome Europe, Japan and the Middle East. They belonged to different periods of history from the pre-historic to the Middle Ages. There were a number of statues of Buddha, standing, sitting and reclining - all so beautiful, majestic and wonderful. They were in stone and bronze. A seated Buddha image from Nepal was of tenth century. Another Buddha image in stone was of 11th century B.C. There were also some very valuable ornaments of pure gold studded with jewels. Then there were real coins, ceramics, plaques, jewellery and prints. They show how rich, wonderful and enduring have been the world heritage and culture. And how greatly our own art and culture have added to it.It took us 2 and half hours to cover the entire exhibition having ten sections. It was an exhibition I shall never forget. It increased our interest in the study of history, culture and civilization. It gave a new meaning to the subject and it study. It was really a rich experience.In the end we enjoyed a puppet show. It was so colorful, exciting and interesting. A troupe from Rajasthan also performed a fold dance. The dancers were in their colourful best. Their footwork was wonderful and the musical instruments exciting. I wanted to revisit the exhibition with my parents.