Pune Tribal Museum

Pune Tribal Museum is located in the city of Pune, State Maharashtra. This museum is dedicated to the various tribes in the State and helps in promoting awareness about them. 

Location - Tribal Research and Training Institute Campus

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Address -

28, Queen's Garden

Near Old Circuit House

Bund Garden Road

Pune - 411 001

Maharashtra

Nearest Railway Station - Pune, 1 km

Nearest Airport - Lohegaon, 5 km

Contact Number - 020 26330854

Fax Number - 020 26330854

Email address - mus.tri-mh@nic.in and trti.mah@nic.in

Museum Curator - Santosh Nanaware

Established - In the year 1962 

Management - Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune 

Motto - A place committed to preserve the artistic and poetic impulses of tribals in the state of Maharashtra

Timing - 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Entry Fees - 

Indian child - ₹ 5

Indian Adult - ₹ 10

Foreign Student - ₹ 50

Foreign Child - ₹ 100

Foreign Adult - ₹ 200

Closed - Sundays and Government Holidays

The State of Maharashtra has the second highest tribal population of 10,510,000 as per the 2011 Census. There are hundreds of tribes in the State of which around 45 tribes are well known for their unique style of Arts and Artefacts. 

Some of these tribes are Bhils, Thakars, Thotis, Kola, Warlis,  Madias, Halbi, Mavchis, Korkus, Bohada, Kawar, Kokanas, Gonds, Kokna. 

The Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune aims at conducting research and running various schemes and programmes for their financial, educational and social upliftment.

As an extension of this cause they established Pune Tribal Museum in 1962 with the aim to exhibit the cultural heritage of the tribes of Maharashtra. The Museum opened to the public in 1965. The Institute works continuously to update and exhibit the tribal works to showcase and preserve their culture, lifestyle, art and heritage in the Museum. 

The Museum is quite small and compact, But the displays that consist of articles like jewellery, masks, musical instruments, paintings, handicrafts, Wood and metal carvings to name a few provide the visitor a deep insight into the life and culture of these tribal communities using just the resources available to them in their natural surroundings. 

Their Art however, reflects their skills, talent, ingenuity, positive outlook towards life, resourcefulness overcoming obstacles and difficulties in their simple and hard lives. 

In Spite of being uneducated, away from modern and developed society, they do not succumb to negativity and despair with respect to their hardships and drawbacks. 

On the contrary, they become one with Nature, respecting and worshipping it and using inspiration from their surroundings, day to day life events, festivals and religious beliefs. 

For the convenience of the visitor, the Museum has been divided into the following sections -

1. Tribal Art and Craft

2. Tribal Material Culture

3. Tribes at a Glance

4. Glimpses of Tribal Craft

5. Ornaments, Tribal deities

6. Tribes at a glance 

7. Hut Section

Each section displays things relevant to its theme. Information on the displayed articles is concise and helpful. The Museum is worth a visit for the tourist interested in understanding the tribal culture of our State in particular and our Country in general. 

Warli, Gond and Bhil Art Pictures source - holidify

The Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Pune

“Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya” saying the chants form the Shlokas, The Kelkar Museum opens a world of Wonders to the oldest of history by presenting items and collections from as old as the 11^thand the 10^th centuries of the civilizations which settled in the Indian Subcontinent.

History of the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum was donated by Padmashree Late Dr. D.G. alias Kakasaheb Kelkar . From 1975, the Museum is aided by the Government of Maharashtra and the Board of Management has deeply committed them to manage the museum and have not only been preserving the collection of Dr. Kelkar, but also have been increasing the collection from the ancient Indian and the Indian sub continent.

The current boards of directors at the Dinkar Kelkar Museum are: -

• The Chief Secretary from the Government of Maharashtra as the President
• The Pune Divisional Commissioner as the Vice President
• Sudhanva Hari Ranade as the Director Member Secretary
• Dr. G.B. Deglurkar as the Expert Member
• The Tourism and Cultural Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra, The Commissioner of the Pune Municipal Corporation,  Sanjiv Anant Sathe, Sudarshan Hari Ranade, Surendra Hari Ranade as the Members of the Museum and
• Smt. Rekha Hari Ranade as the Nominee Member

The collection of the Kelkar Museum include: -

• Writing Implements
• Kitchen Utensils
• Wooden Objects
• Mastani Mahal
• Earthernware
• Painting Images
• Terracota
• Coins
• Arms
• Musical Instruments
• Beauty Culture
• Bronze Deities
• Sculpture
• Tambool
• Textiles
• Lamps
• Ivory
• Toys

There are objects of interest for children  which are mainly from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Museum also has a proposed new Site at Chandani Chowk near Mumbai – Pune Express Way.