National Institute of Design to Develop Multimedia Museum

Swami Vivekananda's life

The great life of Swami Vivekananda will soon be displayed in a cultural museum in Rajasthan by Ahmadabad-based National Institute of Design (NID). On the occassion of 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda, NID will bring the Ramakrishna Mission at Khetri develop a multimedia-based museum highlighting his life and time.

Khetri is a township which is situated in Shekhawati region in Rajasthan. Swami Vivekananda stayed in Khetri, thrice during his life time, which is un-happening for a wandering monk. "We have just begun work on the exhibition and it is most likely to start in November 2013," said Tanishka Kachru, faculty of exhibition design at NID. The institute will conceptualize the museum, design the exhibits, the articles, photos and introduce interactive models for people and visitors. Period settings will take visitors by each step of Vivekananda's life starting with how Narendra Nath became Swami Vivekananda, the period showing Shri Ramakrishna welcoming Narendra Nath with his friend, the wandering monk in Khetri, the 'Parliament of the World Religion' in Chicago - animatronics of Swami Vivekananda addressing the audience, Vivekananda addressing his American supporters at the Thousand Island Park, Vivekananda ji's meeting with hand-picked adherents in London, among other things.

The Castle belonged to Maharaja Ajit Singh Bahadur, who was the ruler in Khetri, between 1870-1901. Ajit Singh is known for the pecuniary support he provided to Swami Vivekananda, and encouraging him to speak in the fantan of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893. It was on Ajit Singh's request that Swami vivekananda ji assumed his cloistral  name Vivekananda before he went to America.

"Swami Vivekananda and Ajit Singh shared a especial kinship. Ajit Singh had become a close friend and disciple of Vivekananda. It will be hold the attention to tell their story in a creative way by the museum," Kachru added.

According to Kachru, National Institute of Design will use few text and more interactive media as "people do not read much when they visit museums these days."