OBJECT OF THE WEEK (09th to 15th November, 2020) Due to spread of COVID-19 pandemic the museums throughout the world are closed but identifying different innovative ways to remain connected to their visitors. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind) has also taken up many new initiatives to face the challenges posed by this pandemic. In one such step it is coming up with a new series entitled тАШObject of the WeekтАЩ to showcase its collection from all over India. Initially this series will focus on the masterpieces from its collection which are considered as unique for their contribution to the cultural history of a particular ethnic group or area. These masterpieces belong to the тАЬAAтАЭ & тАЬAтАЭ category. There are 64 objects in these categories. DEEPARANI, A Decorated bell metal lamp Panchadipa Lakshmi, popularly known as Deeparani, is a lamp portraying the imperial visit of a queen to a temple on an elephant. The queen is shown holding five wicks (Panchadipa) in her hands with a gesture of Anjali or a stance to offer the flame of тАШdivine light.тАЩ Cast by the lost wax technique, it amply demonstrates the skill of a traditional Dhokra metal craftsman of West Bengal. The symmetrical composition of the lamp-stand, together with its decorative danglers in the form of flower buds, hooded snakes, and jingles, is an ideal accessory for worship. The present object is an artistic expression of a scenario captured by the artist in his mind during his childhood. Accession No. тАУ 97.491 Local Name тАУ DEEPARANI, A Decorated bell metal lamp Tribe/Community тАУ Dokra Locality тАУ Bankura, West Bengal Measurement тАУ Length тАУ 170 cm, Width тАУ 51 cm. Category тАУ тАШAтАЩ #deeparani #metallamp #panchadipa #fivewickedlamp #goddesslakshmi #dokracasting #bellmetallamp #traditionaltechnology #dokracommunity #dokracraftsman #bankuraart #peopleofbankura #peopleofwestbengal #igrms #museumfromhome #objectoftheweek #ethnograhicobject #museumobject #museumofman #museumofmankind #museumofhumankind #experienceigrms #igrmsstories #staysafe #stayhealthy #covid19 https://www.instagram.com/p/CHW5pzOF_uY/?igshid=ybv8i54ja1h4