The Heritage Transport Museum (HTM) marked its 11th anniversary with a double feature, showcasing the contrasting worlds of futuristic visions and historical treasures. The museum unveiled two captivating exhibitions – “Light Years Ahead” and “Prints of the Divine” – on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 and the show is running until March 31st, 2025.
The prestigious opening ceremony on December 7th was graced by two eminent personalities Mr. Rama Varma Thampuran (Prince of Kilimanoor Palace and descendant of Raja Ravi Varma and a renowned musician and cultural advocate, who carries forward the legacy of his ancestor) and Mr. Rajiv Lochan (Former Director of the National Gallery of Modern Art-NGMA).
“Light Years Ahead” immerses visitors in a world of imagination with captivating sculptural installations by acclaimed artist Vishal K. Dar. These luminous creations, envisioned as totems from an alternate realm, beckon with their otherworldly glow. The enigmatic forms, cryptic radiance, and tri-coloured coded messages spark curiosity and leave viewers contemplating the paths illuminated before them. This thought-provoking display, set in the Museum’s newly designed experience room, invites a journey beyond the present, encouraging dreams of the future.
On the other hand, “Prints of the Divine” offers a captivating exploration of India’s artistic heritage. Curated by collector Prem Kandwal, this exhibition showcases a rare collection of oleographs, lithographic plates, and postcards created by the renowned artists Raja Ravi Varma and M.V. Dhurandhar. Many of these artifacts are from Kandwal’s private collection and are being presented to the public for the very first time. This visually stunning exhibition narrates the history of early Indian prints, featuring a diverse selection of divine art across various mediums.
A renowned musician, singer, and composer, Thampuran remarked, “Art and music have always been my passion. They have the power to heal, inspire, and transform lives. It’s a privilege to share this passion with the world.”
Rajiv Lochan also shared his views as, “Art is a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. By fostering creativity and encouraging dialogue, we can build a more connected and compassionate world.”
“We are thrilled to present these captivating exhibitions to celebrate our 11th anniversary,” said Tarun Thakral, Founder and Managing Trustee of the Heritage Transport Museum. “Both ‘Light Years Ahead’ and ‘Prints of the Divine’ offer unique journeys – one towards the future and the other exploring the past. We are confident that these exhibitions will further enrich the Museum’s offerings and provide a truly unforgettable experience for our visitors.”
ABOUT : The Heritage Transport Museum
Heritage Transport Museum is an endeavor to showcase and interpret the multiple narratives of the transport movement in India. The vision behind the museum is to share its rich and diverse collection with a large number of people and give them a fun-filled learning experience. The museum was conceptualized quite literally to transport people to a bygone era.
Opened to the public on 7 December 2013 as India’s first comprehensive transport museum, the museum brings alive the history and evolution of transport heritage in India through a rich and diverse collection of vehicles and associated memorabilia. The collection is representative of not just the objects directly related to transport but also of the socio-cultural life and art associated with it.
The museum is home to more than 3,500 curated objects on display that weave a tale of India’s colorful transportation history. The large and varied collection of this museum has been categorized into various sections: pre-mechanized & heavy mechanized transportation, railways, aviation, maritime, collectible Indian toys on transport, rural & indigenous transportation, two wheelers and popular & tribal art section. The museum is also rich in contemporary art collections displayed at various sections throughout the museum.
Located at Taoru-Gurgaon, the museum is an hour’s drive from New Delhi. Built on a 3-acre complex, Heritage Transport Museum is spread over four air-conditioned floors that offer over 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, a library and reference center, a mini auditorium, a museum souvenir shop, seminar rooms and a refreshment area.
The Museum has inspired over 1.5 million visitors till date. These have been: school children through organized school trips, university students, domestic & foreign tourist groups, families from Delhi, Gurgaon & adjoining areas, members of various automobile clubs, architects, designers, researchers, film groups etc.
The Museum has been a recipient of some prestigious awards – The 2016 National Tourism Award for being the most Innovative & Unique tourism project in the country, the 2016 & 2018 Traveler’s Choice Award by TripAdvisor, International PATWA award 2017 for its innovation at ITB, Germany, the 2017 ITCTA award for the best Museum, etc.
Heritage Transport Museum has been built and being run by Heritage Transportation Trust is a registered non-profit Trust, founded on 18th July, 2006 and registered under the Indian Trust Act, 1882. As the first private museum of its scale in India, it is conceived as a space that not only provides a glimpse into the history of travel in India, but also engages with visitors through its carefully designed information ecosystem. The museum sets a benchmark in interpretation, exhibition and in communication. Heritage Transport Museum is dedicated to provide visitors an enjoyable and engaging museum experience.
