Museum of the Moon at Kolkata

"At night, I open the window and ask the moon to come and press its face against mine. Breathe into mine. Close the language-door and open the love-window. The moon won't use the door, only the window." ~Rumi

An artificial moon, measuring seven meters in diameter and featuring detailed imagery on the surface of the moon was in my city, Kolkata on the 17th and 18th of February. The beautiful artificial moon, known as "Museum of the Moon" is a brilliant artwork by Luke Jerram that is gaining adulation from all over the world. 

The Museum of the Moon traveled to 5 cities in India on the month of February including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Udaipur, Kolkata, and New Delhi. It will travel all around the world in the forthcoming days, enthralling millions of people. 

At Kolkata, it was displayed outside the iconic Victoria Memorial which made it a stunning visual delight. Thousands of people flocked in front of the north gate of Victoria Memorial Hall to view this marvelous piece of art. British Council has made it possible for us to gaze at the Museum of the Moon in India. 

As soon as I heard that Museum of the Moon will be at Kolkata, I couldn't stop myself from rushing to the Victoria Memorial on the 17th February. A musical function was also held in front of Museum of the Moon in the evening of 17th Feb. 

The acclaimed singer-pianist duo of Kolkata, Soumyajit and Sourendra delighted the audience as they sang songs dedicated to the moon which included a few Tagore songs, ghazals, and old Bollywood songs. They ended the function singing the Gayatri mantra, followed by the song "Mile sur mera tumhara" to symbolize the unity and beauty of several cultures in India.  

The musical performance along with the beauty of the moon made the ambiance surreal. Moreover, the wonderful weather of February and the gorgeous Victoria Memorial made it an evening to remember. It made me reflect on the beauty and the serenity of the moon. It also made me nostalgic as I remembered about some of the most beautiful moonlit nights of my life. That evening had the magic to turn anyone poetic. I was so entranced that couldn't wait to scribble a few lines on the moon after returning home. 

When the artist, Luke Jerram was asked about the India tour of "Museum of the Moon", he said, "We are thrilled to be in India and would love to observe and contemplate cultural similarities and differences while simultaneously also considering the latest moon science in the country. The India visit of the "Museum of the Moon" is not only an opportunity of the public to have a close experience with the moon, but also for us to get a deeper understanding of the moon's cultural significance in the country."

To know more about the "Museum of the Moon", visit https://my-moon.org/

"Tell me the story...

About how the sun loved the moon so much

That she died every night

Just to let him breathe..." ~Hanako Ishii