The book Dharohar: Reflection of Indian Heritage in Costumes and Accessories from Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune, is a true reflection of the culture of India.
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is the one-man collection of about 21,000 priceless artifacts by Padmashree Late Dr. D.G. Kelkar (1896-1990) which mirror the everyday life of India. Along with other artifacts like writing instruments, coins, nut crackers, musical instruments, etc., the museum also houses a vivid collection of Paithanis and Chandrakala from Maharashtra, Parsi garas, Banarasi weaves, Rabari garments from Kutch and Gujarat, ‘Kantha’ creations, etc.
This book features the traditional costumes of men, women and children along with the saris, patkas, sashes and dupattas along with personal and home accessories as well as animal trappings in the collection of the museum.
The collection of these garments belong to a middle class and have basic material like cotton and ornamented with the basic material which belonged to this class. So these garments signify their socio-economic cultural background of their wearers. The book also provides glimpses of modest yet elegant Kelkar Museum with Maharashtrian architecture, the highlight of which is the room of Mastani Mahal which has been shifted from Kothrud, Pune, to this museum.
Dharohar: Costumes and Accessories from Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune
Sonika Soni Khar has been involved in design education, practice and research for more than 16 years. She joined Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID) as one of the founder members in 2005. Her areas of expertise are design process, explorative pattern making and draping, Indian heritage textiles and sustainable design.
Dr. Sanjeevani Ayachit is currently the Director at the Symbiosis Institute of Design and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Symbiosis International (Deemed University)