Colombo National Museum: Difference between revisions
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{{infobox museum |
{{infobox museum |
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|name = National Museum |
|name = Colombo National Museum |
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|image = SL Colombo asv2020-01 img10 National Museum.jpg |
|image = SL Colombo asv2020-01 img10 National Museum.jpg |
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|caption = |
|caption = Facade of the museum in 2020 |
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| map_type = Sri Lanka Colombo Greater |
| map_type = Sri Lanka Colombo Greater |
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|location = [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka |
|location = [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka |
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|director = |
|director = |
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|website = {{ |
|website = {{URL|http://museum.gov.lk}} |
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The '''National Museum |
The '''Colombo National Museum''', also known as the '''Sri Lanka National Museum''', is a museum in [[Colombo]] and the largest in [[Sri Lanka]]. Founded in 1877 and maintained by the [[Department of National Museums]], it holds collections of significant importance to Sri Lanka, such as the [[regalia]] of the [[List of Kandyan monarchs|Kandyan monarchs]], as well as many other exhibits relating the country's cultural and natural heritage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/icta-national-museum-launches-sri-lanka-museums-mobile-app/|title=ICTA & National Museum launch Sri Lanka museums mobile app|publisher=Lanka Business Online|date=15 March 2017|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090322/Plus/sundaytimesplus_02.html|title=Swords and fire power add to new-look museum|newspaper=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|Sunday Times]]|first=Dhananjani|last=Silva|date=22 March 2009|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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[[File:PSM V71 D493 Colombo city museum 1896.jpg|thumbnail|Museum in 1896]] |
[[File:PSM V71 D493 Colombo city museum 1896.jpg|thumbnail|Museum in 1896]] |
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The [[Colombo]] Museum, as it was called |
The [[Colombo]] Museum, as it was initially called, was established on 1 January 1877. Its founder was [[William Henry Gregory|Sir William Henry Gregory]] the British [[Governor of Ceylon]].<ref name="DN2017"/> The [[Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka|Royal Asiatic Society]] was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as governor in 1872 the need for a public museum, with some difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The [[State architect|Government architect]] of the Public Works Department, [[James Smither|James George Smither]] (1833–1910)<ref name="DN2017">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/10/12/features/130974/magnificent-historical-haven|title=Magnificent historical haven|first=Ishara|last=Jayawardane|newspaper=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)|Daily News]]|date=12 October 2017|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> was able to prepare the plans for a new structure in the Italian Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the museum opened the following year.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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The construction of the museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar<ref name="DN2017"/> (1829–1925, aka Wapchi Marikar, who was descended from the Sheiq Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060), paternal grandfather of Sir [[Razik Fareed]]. Wapchi Marikar was the builder of the General Post Office |
The construction of the museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar<ref name="DN2017"/> (1829–1925, aka Wapchi Marikar, who was descended from the Sheiq Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060), the paternal grandfather of Sir [[Razik Fareed]]. Wapchi Marikar was the builder of the [[Former General Post Office, Colombo|General Post Office]], Colombo Customs building, Town Hall in Pettah, [[Galle Face Hotel]], Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the [[Old Colombo Lighthouse|Colombo Fort clock tower]], Batternburg Battery and a number of other buildings that are still standing today (2011). The Old Town Hall in Pettah, which is now a busy market, was built on a contract for the sum of 689 Pounds Sterling.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims |
In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims. At the end of the ceremony, the governor asked Wapchi Marikar what honour he wished to have for his dedication. He asked the same question of the carpenter S. M. Perera who was responsible for the woodwork of the museum, who requested and was awarded a local rank. Marikar requested that the museum be closed on Fridays, the Muslim [[Sabbath#Islam|sabbath]]; this request was granted and maintained, although the museum later opened on all days except public holidays.<ref>[http://www.museum.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=104&lang=en Museum opening hours]</ref> |
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When the throne of the last Kandyan |
When the throne of the last Kandyan king was to be exhibited at the museum, the [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|prime minister]], [[D. S. Senanayake]], obtained the consent of Sir Razik Fareed, Wapchi Marikar's grandson, to keep the museum open on the intervening Fridays only.{{ref}} |
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[[File:Sculpture of Buddha at Colombo National Museum.jpg|alt=|thumb|Sculpture of the Buddha located at the entrance of the museum.]] |
[[File:Sculpture of Buddha at Colombo National Museum.jpg|alt=|thumb|Sculpture of the Buddha located at the entrance of the museum.([[Toluvila statue|Toluwila statue]])]] |
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[[File:Heiyantuduwa Raja's Skeleton.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Heiyantuduwa Raja (elephant)]] Skeleton at<br> National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka]]During the period between 1877 and 1999, the authorities of the museum took various steps to display the cultural and natural heritage of the country for this purpose. Several other wings were added from time to time under the direction of |
[[File:Heiyantuduwa Raja's Skeleton.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Heiyantuduwa Raja (elephant)]] Skeleton at<br> National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka]]During the period between 1877 and 1999, the authorities of the museum took various steps to display the cultural and natural heritage of the country for this purpose. Several other wings were added from time to time under the direction of Dr. [[Arthur Willey]] and Dr. Joseph Pearson new structures were built during the period of Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala, Dr. P. H. D. H. de Silva and Sirinimal Lakdusinghe. One of the [[natural history]] museum, and yet another consists of the auditorium. These buildings would facilitate the extension of the library ethnological and Anthropological studies.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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==Developments after 1940== |
==Developments after 1940== |
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The museum was given the status of a national museum during the period of P. E. P. Deraniyagala. He opened branch museums in [[Jaffna]], [[National Museum of Kandy|Kandy]], and [[National Museum of Ratnapura|Ratnapura]] and a fully-fledged department of national museum was established in 1942 under the act No. 31. Nine branch museums were ultimately opened, and a school science programme and a mobile museum service are also in operation. |
The museum was given the status of a national museum during the period of P. E. P. Deraniyagala. He opened branch museums in [[Jaffna]], [[National Museum of Kandy|Kandy]], and [[National Museum of Ratnapura|Ratnapura]] and a fully-fledged department of national museum was established in 1942 under the act No. 31. Nine branch museums were ultimately opened, and a school science programme and a mobile museum service are also in operation.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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The museum has a copy of the [[Statue of Tara]], a three-quarter life size statue of [[Tara (Buddhism)|Tara]] currently held in the [[British Museum]].<ref name=cult>[http://www.dlir.org/archive/orc-exhibit/items/browse/collection/10/tag/The+female+as+cult+object+in+Buddhism The female as Cult Object in Buddhism], Digital Library, retrieved 10 December 2013</ref> The crown jewels and the throne of the last [[Nayaks of Kandy|King of Kandy]], which were returned to Sri Lanka by the [[British Government]], were added to the museum collection. Ground floor galleries are arranged in historical sequence, and upper galleries thematically. |
The museum has a copy of the [[Statue of Tara]], a three-quarter life size statue of [[Tara (Buddhism)|Tara]] currently held in the [[British Museum]].<ref name=cult>[http://www.dlir.org/archive/orc-exhibit/items/browse/collection/10/tag/The+female+as+cult+object+in+Buddhism The female as Cult Object in Buddhism], Digital Library, retrieved 10 December 2013</ref> The crown jewels and the throne of the last [[Nayaks of Kandy|King of Kandy]], which were returned to Sri Lanka by the [[British Government]], were added to the museum collection. Ground floor galleries are arranged in historical sequence, and upper galleries thematically.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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A library was also established on 1 January 1877. The government [[Oriental]] library (1870) was incorporated into Colombo National Museum library, and served as the nucleus of the library collection by collecting the local publications of the past 129 years; the library has been functioning as an unofficial national library in Sri Lanka, and became the first legal deposit library in the island. From its inception, special attention was given to building up of a collection related to Sri Lanka, Orientation and Natural Science. |
A library was also established on 1 January 1877. The government [[Oriental]] library (1870) was incorporated into [[National Museum Library|Colombo National Museum library]], and served as the nucleus of the library collection by collecting the local publications of the past 129 years; the library has been functioning as an unofficial national library in Sri Lanka, and became the first legal deposit library in the island. From its inception, special attention was given to building up of a collection related to Sri Lanka, Orientation and Natural Science.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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[[File:Dedigama Elephant Lamp.jpg|thumb|right|Dedigama Elephant Lamp at Colombo National Museum]] |
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| ⚫ | In 1982 Dr. [[Thelma Gunawardena]] became the first woman director of the National Museum of Colombo.<ref name="ObserverOnline">{{cite web |last1=Perera |first1=Janaka |title=National museum: looking back 130 years |url= |
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| ⚫ | In 1982 Dr. [[Thelma Gunawardena]] became the first woman director of the National Museum of Colombo.<ref name="ObserverOnline">{{cite web |last1=Perera |first1=Janaka |title=National museum: looking back 130 years |url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2007/01/14/fea10.asp |website=Observer Online |access-date=27 June 2018}}</ref> She served from 1982 through 1994.<ref name="SundayObserver">{{cite web |last1=Salie |first1=Ryhanna |title=National Museum: Window into the past |url=http://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2018/02/25/heritage/national-museum-window-past |website=Sunday Observer |date=23 February 2018 |access-date=27 June 2018}}</ref> |
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From 1972 to 1991, Prof. [[Pandula Andagama]] was the Head of the Anthropology Division, and the Assistant Director of the National Museum. In his tenure, he established an anthropological deposit in the National Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inspiration from the past |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/03/08/fea29.asp |archive-date=2021-06-27 |access-date=2021-06-27 |website=Daily News}}</ref> He also organized many temporary exhibitions in the National Museum. |
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From 1972 to 1991, Prof. [[Pandula Andagama]] was the assistant director of the Department of Anthropology in the museum,<ref>{{Cite web |title=From a quiet love affair to wedding bells |url=https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2007/06/03/spe03.asp |access-date=27 June 2021 |website=Sunday Observer}}</ref> and the assistant director of the National Museum. In his tenure, he established an anthropological deposit in the National Museum. He also organized many temporary exhibitions in the National Museum.{{cn|date=April 2022}} |
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==National Museum Library== |
==National Museum Library== |
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Latest revision as of 00:27, 20 April 2024
 Facade of the museum in 2020 | |
  Location in greater Colombo | |
| Established | 1 January 1877 |
|---|---|
| Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Coordinates | 6°54′36″N 79°51′39″E / 6.91000°N 79.86083°E |
| Founder | William Henry Gregory |
| Website | museum |
The Colombo National Museum, also known as the Sri Lanka National Museum, is a museum in Colombo and the largest in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1877 and maintained by the Department of National Museums, it holds collections of significant importance to Sri Lanka, such as the regalia of the Kandyan monarchs, as well as many other exhibits relating the country's cultural and natural heritage.[1][2]
History
[edit]
The Colombo Museum, as it was initially called, was established on 1 January 1877. Its founder was Sir William Henry Gregory the British Governor of Ceylon.[3] The Royal Asiatic Society was instrumental in bringing to the notice of Gregory on his appointment as governor in 1872 the need for a public museum, with some difficulty the approval of the legislative council was obtained within a year. The Government architect of the Public Works Department, James George Smither (1833–1910)[3] was able to prepare the plans for a new structure in the Italian Architectural style. The construction was completed in 1876 and the museum opened the following year.[citation needed]
The construction of the museum was carried out by Arasi Marikar Wapchie Marikar[3] (1829–1925, aka Wapchi Marikar, who was descended from the Sheiq Fareed family who arrived in Ceylon in 1060), the paternal grandfather of Sir Razik Fareed. Wapchi Marikar was the builder of the General Post Office, Colombo Customs building, Town Hall in Pettah, Galle Face Hotel, Victoria Arcade, Finlay Moir building, the Colombo Fort clock tower, Batternburg Battery and a number of other buildings that are still standing today (2011). The Old Town Hall in Pettah, which is now a busy market, was built on a contract for the sum of 689 Pounds Sterling.[citation needed]
In January 1877, the completed building of the Colombo Museum was declared open by Governor Gregory, in the presence of a large crowd, amongst which there were many Muslims. At the end of the ceremony, the governor asked Wapchi Marikar what honour he wished to have for his dedication. He asked the same question of the carpenter S. M. Perera who was responsible for the woodwork of the museum, who requested and was awarded a local rank. Marikar requested that the museum be closed on Fridays, the Muslim sabbath; this request was granted and maintained, although the museum later opened on all days except public holidays.[4]
When the throne of the last Kandyan king was to be exhibited at the museum, the prime minister, D. S. Senanayake, obtained the consent of Sir Razik Fareed, Wapchi Marikar's grandson, to keep the museum open on the intervening Fridays only.[1]
National Museum of Colombo, Sri Lanka
During the period between 1877 and 1999, the authorities of the museum took various steps to display the cultural and natural heritage of the country for this purpose. Several other wings were added from time to time under the direction of Dr. Arthur Willey and Dr. Joseph Pearson new structures were built during the period of Dr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala, Dr. P. H. D. H. de Silva and Sirinimal Lakdusinghe. One of the natural history museum, and yet another consists of the auditorium. These buildings would facilitate the extension of the library ethnological and Anthropological studies.[citation needed]
Developments after 1940
[edit]The museum was given the status of a national museum during the period of P. E. P. Deraniyagala. He opened branch museums in Jaffna, Kandy, and Ratnapura and a fully-fledged department of national museum was established in 1942 under the act No. 31. Nine branch museums were ultimately opened, and a school science programme and a mobile museum service are also in operation.[citation needed]
The museum has a copy of the Statue of Tara, a three-quarter life size statue of Tara currently held in the British Museum.[5] The crown jewels and the throne of the last King of Kandy, which were returned to Sri Lanka by the British Government, were added to the museum collection. Ground floor galleries are arranged in historical sequence, and upper galleries thematically.[citation needed]
A library was also established on 1 January 1877. The government Oriental library (1870) was incorporated into Colombo National Museum library, and served as the nucleus of the library collection by collecting the local publications of the past 129 years; the library has been functioning as an unofficial national library in Sri Lanka, and became the first legal deposit library in the island. From its inception, special attention was given to building up of a collection related to Sri Lanka, Orientation and Natural Science.[citation needed]
In 1982 Dr. Thelma Gunawardena became the first woman director of the National Museum of Colombo.[6] She served from 1982 through 1994.[7]
From 1972 to 1991, Prof. Pandula Andagama was the assistant director of the Department of Anthropology in the museum,[8] and the assistant director of the National Museum. In his tenure, he established an anthropological deposit in the National Museum. He also organized many temporary exhibitions in the National Museum.[citation needed]
National Museum Library
[edit]The Colombo National Museum Library was also established on 1 January 1877 incorporating the Government Oriental Library that had been established in 1870. Since 1885, by law, a copy of every document printed in the country is required to be lodged with the museum library.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "ICTA & National Museum launch Sri Lanka museums mobile app". Lanka Business Online. 15 March 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ Silva, Dhananjani (22 March 2009). "Swords and fire power add to new-look museum". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ a b c Jayawardane, Ishara (12 October 2017). "Magnificent historical haven". Daily News. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
- ^ Museum opening hours
- ^ The female as Cult Object in Buddhism, Digital Library, retrieved 10 December 2013
- ^ Perera, Janaka. "National museum: looking back 130 years". Observer Online. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ Salie, Ryhanna (23 February 2018). "National Museum: Window into the past". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- ^ "From a quiet love affair to wedding bells". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
External links
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