MAI Anual Conference on: ‘Experiential and Ideational Museums’ - 2024-25

The 77^th Annual Conference of Museums Association of India (MAI) was successfully held on 81^st glorious year of Indian Museums Association, at Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Baroda, Gujrat. The conference took place from November 29^th to December 1^st, 2024. The Theme of the conference was - ‘Experiential and Ideational Museums’.

The first day started with inaugural session with lighting of lamp and Saraswati Vandana and then presentation of bouquet and release of Journal of Indian Museums (JOIM). The esteemed Shri Balubhai Shuklaji, Chief Whip of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, inaugurated the conference, which was also honoured with the presence of Dr. Ratan Parimoo, the renowned Art Historian, as the guest of honour.

A significant moment in the event was the launch of the JOIM Journal by the Museum Association of India, alongside the posthumous presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Shri Rai Krishna Das, a monumental figure in the field.

Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture Shri Jeevan Bchhav, Commissioner Culture, Govt. of Gujarat, Director, Science City, Kolkata Dr. Anurag Kumar, Prof. Ankita Sharma IIT, Jodhpur and a galaxy of scholars, especially young curators and museologist participated actively to make it a gala event.

Rajesh Prasad, Secretary MAI and Director, Allahabad Museum, John Philipose, eminent museum designer and Dhruv Soni treasurer MAI played pivotal role in making it a great success.

Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Director Archaeology and Museums, Government of Gujrat made a substantial contribution in making the conference a memorable event. Eminent art historian Shri Ratan Parimoo graced the inaugural function.

The conference concluded with compelling speeches from the Chief Guest, Dr. Deepak Kannal ji a renowned Art Historian and Sculptor, and the Guest of Honour, Dr. N.R. Shah, former Head of the Department of Museology, Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda.

The leadership of the Museums Association of India (MAI) was expertly handled and represented by Dr. Anand Vardhan ji, President of MAI, and Shri Rajesh Prasad ji - Secretary of MAI. Their guidance and vision played a pivotal role in the smooth organization and success of the conference.

The conference took place for three days. The conference was hosted by Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Vadodra.

Some glimpses of the conferences are as under: