Basel mission archives museum: A tribute to Karnataka’s cultural history

Mangaluru: Basel Mission since 1934 has left a lasting impact on language, literature, education and industrial sectors across the `colonised Karnataka'.

Basel Mission's rich legacy in the form of vernacular literature, publications, photographs and books are now part of a vast treasure trove at Basel Mission's Archives Museum and Art Gallery being planned in Karnataka Theological College (KTC) premises in Balmatta at a total cost of Rs 8.17 crore.

The state-of-the art museum will include audio guides with headphones, personalised tours, including a photo gallery exhibiting rare unseen 5,000 photographs depicting traditional culture of South Canara. Fr Steevan Barker, Archivist and Lecturer at KTC, says the museum is an expression of a desire to share historical treasure trove with public and tourists.

The archives were earlier accessible only to researchers, he added. “The objective behind this museum is to create an opportunity to educate younger generation and public about the heritage of this land, meticulously preserved by Basel Missionary,” he emphasised. Fr (Dr) H M Watson, Principal of KTC, said the museum project's cost initially was estimated at Rs 4 crore.

But after revamping and refining the 3D renderings of the building, the project cost escalated to 8.17 crore, he said. Fr Watson says the museum project had received encouragement from colleges and organisations. "Thus we are confident of raising the required money to complete the museum project," he added.

Benet G Amanna, who had retired after serving as archivist’s assistant for nearly forty years at KTC, acknowledged KTC’s undeterred efforts in collecting archived literature, manuscripts from other schools, churches and colleges. “I am sure the antiques of Basel Mission Press and Tile Factory, to be displayed at the museum will inspire students in particular," he said.

What makes the museum project more intriguing is its alluring architecture. It interpolates historical bequest with futuristic and cutting-edge design. The museum's architect Guulshan Roy, founder of Guulshan Roy Architects, says the design of museum is a tribute to honour the past and rekindle Karnataka’s historical antiquity and cultural legacy.

“We wanted to create a modernist building, keeping up with the evolving times. It is a community project, which will encourage budding artists to exhibit their work, giving Mangalore a museum and art gallery that’s one of a kind," he said. Basel Mission Archives Museum and Art Gallery, standing as a bridge between generations, is expected to be completed within a year.