Architect and designer Kulapat Yantrasast: ‘Objects from all over India (at Yuge Yugeen museum), we need to ensure they sing’

Kulapat Yantrasast, the architect and designer behind the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, aims to create an accessible and inspiring space for visitors. Upon receiving the project, Yantrasast made it his priority to ensure the museum felt welcoming and engaging. The Ministry of Culture is collaborating with artisans and craftsmen from across India, focusing on furniture, woodwork, stone, metalwork, and more.

This approach aims to incorporate the diverse cultural heritage of the nation and provide a sense of familiarity for all visitors.

Yantrasast believes that in today's digital age, museums should prioritize inspiration over information. He asserts that museums cannot replicate the inspiration found on platforms like YouTube. Instead, the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum will strive to present art objects, storytelling, and beauty that cannot be replicated digitally. By featuring objects from all over India, the museum aspires to sing the unique stories behind each artifact, including textiles, costumes, adornments, architecture, and more.

The challenge for Yantrasast lies in curating a collection that resonates with both foreign visitors and local residents. He emphasizes that exhibitions should be organized around crucial themes relevant to Indian civilization, such as adornment, architecture, astrology, and cosmology. By connecting the past to the present, the museum seeks to emphasize the continuity of Indian culture spanning 5,000 years.

This approach aims to inspire younger generations to understand their roots and appreciate the historical foundation of their modern society.

When Yantrasast first visited the North and South Blocks of the museum site, he was struck by the impressive preservation of the British-era architecture. He recognized the potential for transformation, envisioning the space as a conduit for both historical significance and architectural beauty. Yantrasast plans to preserve original elements such as frescoes, motifs, benches, and period rooms to tell the story of the building's evolution.

By seamlessly integrating historical elements with contemporary design, he aims to create a museum experience that blends the past and present for all visitors.