Madame Tussauds wax museum in
Perhaps the only project in
”The project is a dream
The main objective of the project is to refresh the history of self sufficient
village life in the
We present here a few evocative features
of this unique enterprise where life in its quiet sedateness has a living
simplicity and charm.
Happy Cultivation
Shepherd Boy
Potter
This big house belongs to the potter. In older days,
earthen utensils and pots were used. The soil from the forest loaded on a
donkey used to be brought to the house. Mud was prepared. A lump of such mud is
kept on a wheel and a wheel is rotated and earthen pots and utensils are made.
By means of tapping the pot it was found whether the utensils so prepared are
fit for use. These pots are processed in a kiln before their sale. During
festival, idols of Gauri and Ganpati, bullocks, cobras, earthen containers,
cooling pots, vases, tiles etc are prepared.
Fisherwoman
A fisherman’s wife returning home with a loaded cache
of fish in a basket on her head.
Cobbler
The cobbler makes quality footwear from different
hides, skins and finished leather. Articles used for agricultural purpose e.g.
whips and flogs, ropes and strings tied round the neck of cattle like bullocks
etc, swings used to protect the crop fields ready for harvest from the winged
creatures, water lifts etc. are produced by them. The cobbler’s wife does the
job of cutting leather with the help of a cutter whereas the cobbler himself
prepares footwear like chappal, etc.
Barber
This small house belongs to the
barber. On the front side you can see a spacious verandah meant for his
customers. Apart from his job of hair dressing, tonsuring and shaving, the
barber also performs acts like shearing buffaloes, removing nails of the
fingers and toes of people and extracting thorns from their feet. His
profession is a good instance of Barter in as much as he gets grains in return
from his customers.
At the
Behold the grand old woman with a smiling face clad in
a nine yard saree; she is accompanied by her young grand-daughter wearing the
customary petticoat and blouse. She entreats the goddess Laxmi to bestow on the
villagers abundance of food grains and property. A small fair is arranged in
the month of May every year.
The Village Deity
Situated close to the village exit
gate is the shrine of the god Vitthal, the village deity.
A devotee is seen chanting amidst
the reverberating sound of clapping, welcoming you with a smile. Vitthal is
known to be omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent.
The Vitthal Mandir occupies a
significant place in the village. All these devotees assemble in the temple and
enjoy the celebrations especially on specific occasions. Reading of epics and
books and discourses, kirtans and bhajans, etc are arranged in the temple hall.
Chit-Chatting under the Tree
Meetings of villagers in large
numbers usually take place under a big tree on a well built platform
surrounding the tree. They discuss about festivals and local issues and other functions.
This is a place also to relax.
At the Well
This is a public place where water
is available in a well.
This is potable water and is also
used for washing. To draw water from the well a long rope tied to a container
is used with the help of a pulley. This exercise requires skills. Different
containers like round pots made of brass/copper etc are used for carrying
water. Another device for carrying water is two containers tied at either end
of the wooden pole and carried by a person on his shoulders. Here you find the
spirit of co-operation amongst the villagers by helping each other.
Sowing
Sowing is going on in the fields. A bag containing
seeds for sowing is seen tucked to the farmer’s waist. A handful of seeds are
poured in a special device meant for the purpose. Along with the farmer, his
wife is seen sowing safflower and moong seeds. After sowing of the main crop are
also other seeds to get supplementary crops.
Thrashing
After harvesting crops are spread
in a large circle on a neat and clean ground. Such ground has to be prepared in
the farm itself. The entire ground is smeared with liquid cow dung. It is
allowed to dry before the entire process of thrashing starts. Bullocks are
yoked and made to tread over the ears of corn. During all these operations, the
farmer camps on a portion of the farm itself. He also keeps a dog along with
him on the camp.
Courtesy: http://www.siddhagirimuseum.org/
