After the fascinating Egyptian mummy, we would love to see more antiquities from the world’s great civilizations grace Mumbai’s museums as well
Mumbai’s only mummy will go on display at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya as part of the upcoming exhibition that will continue till January 4, 2017. File pic
With the festive season in full swing, this columnist was a tad unsure if it would be regarded as inauspicious to begin her weekly column by referring to a dead person. Except that there was much to cheer around the news of this particular individual — Mumbai’s very own Egyptian mummy. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum) is presently showcasing an exhibition that opens up this acquisition to wide-eyed visitors from the city and beyond.
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Said to be over two thousand years old, we couldn’t believe our eyes as the wooden coffin was gradually lifted to reveal a near intact occupant. No, we weren’t imagining us in a frame as a desi sidekick in an Indiana Jones or Mummy series production. That one enlightening afternoon last week at the museum’s conservation lab, we watched, gaped and gazed at the tedious, time-consuming effort that went into restoring this show-stopper for the museum.
In those few minutes as we stared at this treasure, all the while trying hard to ensure that our jaw didn’t touch the floor, we noticed shrouds of printed fabric, and delicate blue eye makeup on the outer etchings of the coffin; by now, our head was in a tizzy with countless questions. The experts at the lab patiently answered many of these, and also told us that studies were still in its early stages. In fact, they hadn’t yet concluded if the mummy was male or female, or even if it was buried face up or down! Unlike the many movies where mummies are seen walking around towns, terrifying humanity in their afterlife because of some unfinished business, this scene seemed like a sane anticlimax. Within the confines of the coffin lay history lessons waiting to be dispersed and shared with the rest of the world.
Since this mummy was donated possibly by British explorers during a pit stop to Bombay in the early 1900s, we’re sure there would be a fascinating back story. The museum is hoping that the star exhibit will create sufficient buzz for the curious as well as experts, and have called it the first phase of this grand plan. The intent is that increased funds will help facilitate in-depth research and thereby, take the showpiece to the next level and retrace the steps of its long journey from Egypt to Mumbai.
Of course, we are thrilled to bits that the city can finally stake claim to such a treasure. Barely a handful such Egyptian mummies can be found in India’s museums, so the pride is immense.
Yet amidst all the hype and buzz, a thought stayed with us. How amazing would it be if our city museums use this as a stepping stone to source and restore more finds from the world’s greatest ancient civilizations? That would be something for Mumbaikars to boast about for generations to come.
mid-day’s Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana. Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com
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