ITP 2012: Day 21 – Shambwaditya Ghosh
With three weeks already gone, we are near to the end of the ITP. Today was the patron’s reception party, one of the most anticipated days since the beginning of the training programme, as it helps to grow and extend the ITP. In the morning I was very busy with my departmental representative and later at the Victoria & Albert museum. It was quite interesting to learn about the procedure of new acquisition in the British Museum. Highlighting issues of this slot was to find out about tactical implementation of acquisitions. Later, in the afternoon, it was exceptionally engaging to visit different departments and conservation studios at the Victoria & Albert Museum. So, after this very busy day it was really relaxing to meet the other staff of the British Museum, trustees and the sponsors of the ITP. The party was arranged in the ‘Welcome Gallery’ in the midst of beautiful antiquities from the participated countries. Each object contained abundant information which helped us to introduce our cultures. It was bit frustrating as there was no music to create the ambiance of party.
My choice of object: a plaque depicting Surya
I selected a stone plaque depicting the Indian sun god ‘Surya’. My reason for selecting this tiny object was very purposeful. From the beginning of the ITP everyone was very curious about my name; how I got such an unusual name, which is very strange in Indian nomenclature. I decided before leaving India that it would be better to narrate the story of my name instead of telling the history of my country. I was quite sure that everyone has expertise on India. Therefore, it was quite success that I met some very interesting people who were amazed to know the history of my name. They were all surprised to know that one tiny object can tell huge amount of information. The party ended with a group photograph in front of a giant sculpture from America. Everyone was smiling as they all were very happy after getting a formal scope to express their countries’ history and culture.
Cheers!
Shambwaditya Ghosh
India