Tribal museum showcasing Tharu history to be ready soon
LUCKNOW : Uttar Pradesh is all set to get its first tribal museum or Tharu Janjati Museum (Tharu ethnic museum) by March 2022.
It is coming up at Imilia Koder village—a Tharu populated area in Balrampur district of the state, according to officials. Spread over 5.5-acre land, the construction work on the museum is in its last phase.
The museum will give people a glimpse of the lives of the Tharus, a rare tribe known for their rich and diverse culture.
Officials with the state museum directorate, department of culture—the construction agency for one-of-its-kind project — said the museum would make people aware of Tharu traditions.
“The Tharu tribe is perhaps the most advanced tribe in UP that has evolved as per the changing times. They are still well connected to their roots and have kept their traditions and culture intact. Our museum would highlight the same and much more about the people of the Tharu tribe,” said AK Singh, director, State Museum and director in-charge State Archaeological Department, UP.
Officials said it is among the pet projects of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath.
Singh, while highlighting the salient features of the grand museum, said it will have everything about the Tharu tribe— starting from their evolution, their culture, religion, tradition, lifestyle, social life and depict the present scenario.
“There will be different sections for different topics and themes—some would highlight the rare pictures, murals, the
history and the story about their evolution. Some sections will feature their knowledge about medicinal herbs. Some would highlight their fashion, attire and jewellery while others will showcase their lifestyle, their clothing sense, utensils, recipes, food, furniture etc,” said Singh.
He said to make the museum an authentic one a team of the
state museum directorate will also visit the Tharu populated villages.
“We are done with most of the construction work that largely includes establishing boundary walls and other infrastructure. However, we are left with the finishing part that we expect to complete in the next couple of months,” said Nitin
Kohli, the contractor who is carrying out the construction work.
Officials said the project was inaugurated in January 2020 by UP CM. Following the pandemic situation, the construction work got delayed. Officials said that museum would not only highlight the culture and tradition of the Tharu tribe, but would also be a boon for tourism in the area.
People from the Tharu tribe, too, gave their thumbs up to the project, saying the initiative will certainly help in making the people aware of their traditions.
“Indeed, it’s a good step. I believe that efforts should be initiated for all such tribes in order to preserve their culture as they are an important part of history,” said Lakshmi Devi, a member of the Tharu tribe and village head of Bela Parsua, a Tharu dominated village in Lakhimpur Kheri district of UP.