National Research Laboratory for Conservation of
Cultural Property (NRLC), a subordinate office of the Ministry of Culture,
Government of India, was established in the year 1976 with the aim to develop,
promote and advance the field of conservation of cultural property. It was
started initially as a project under assistance of UNDP and UNESCO that helped
in acquiring highly sophisticated scientific equipments and getting the staff
trained abroad. Activities of the laboratory diversified and strengthened after
shifting in its own building at Aliganj, Lucknow in 1987 and
simultaneously opening its regional laboratory at Mysore. Since its inception, the laboratory
has engaged in a program of scientific research, training activities,
documentation, and with dissemination of information through publications,
conferences, workshops and international cooperation. In addition, the
laboratory has carried out many national field projects as well as
international ones at Maldives
to advanced conservation practice.
NRLC’s activities continue to emphasize research into
the nature, decay and treatment of materials of collections, works of art etc.
The work of the laboratory is carried out through groups; Research, Training,
Field Projects, Information and Communications, Cooperation, Regional
Conservation laboratories. Over the years, the staff of NRLC has developed
expertise in a number of areas include; methodologies for the analysis of
materials and their deterioration, conservation of wall paintings, biodeterioration and control, stone and building materials
conservation, metal and paper conservation.
In the collaborative project of ASI and NRLC on
protecting the monuments from algal infestation with reference to Khajuraho Temples (World Heritage Monument) taken for the
study as a first case, brushing the stone surface with one per cent solution of
three biocides namely, AG 2006016, WOSCOSEN 15TK and IMAZALIL- 500EC found very
effective in controlling algal growth. It was also observed that the stone
samples coated with Wacker SMK 1311 and BS -290
polymers were resistance to algal attack. Need to find out alternative to
commonly used corrosion inhibitor, BTA (Benzotriazole)
for copper and lead objects has been felt as it is reported as carcinogenic.
NRLC initiated work in this direction and evaluated number of similar type of
non-carcinogenic compounds and the results are quite encouraging. The need of
replacing OPP (Orthophenylphenol), the commonly
fungicide in starch paste was felt because of its ineffectiveness in too humid
climate as well as high cost and takes a long time in procurement. On
conducting laboratory tests and field trials, Benzalconium
chloride, easily available and much cheaper than that of OPP, in 1-2 % in water
or alcohol was found suitable. In another study on use of traditional materials
in conservation, Menthol (peppermint), a natural plant extracts of Mentha species was found very effective against museum
fungi and pests.
An important issue on authentication of Tagore’s
paintings which came up with the court case filed in the High Court Kolkata was
resolved conducting in depth examination and analysis taking advanced and
sophisticated analytical instrument to the site such as, non-destructive
techniques like portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and Fourier Transform
IR spectrophotometer. Laboratory also extended its service in preparing
condition reports on about 250 Tagore’s Paintings at Vishwa Bharati University to be taken for exhibitions
abroad.
The new field projects were initiated under the field
projects scheme of the laboratory during this year on conservation of paintings
of Ravindra Bharati University, Kolkata, Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai
and Roerich works at Venkatappa
Art Gallery
(Devika Ravi Roerich Board) Bangalore. Similarly, the previous project
works on the collections of Governor’s House, Simla
and Governor’s House, Sikkim, Gangtok
were completed. The interesting recent conservation work on
Pure Gold, weight 300 gm, Sword Sheath of Raj Bhawan,
UP, Lucknow
where a team of conservators carried out conservation under CCTV camera.
Conservators of this laboratory carried out successfully the difficult and
challenging task of transferring of wall paintings from dilapidated structure
at Zanskar Monastry, Ladakh and brought to NRLC Lucknow
for conservation treatment and the paintings will be taken back to the Monastry after treatment.
With the possession of new building as planned during
11th five year plan for NRLC Training Institute in September 2011,
existing training division of the laboratory got shifted there with more
diversified plan. The seats for regular six months conservation course has been
increased to 20 from 15. Apart from this course, number of short and long terms
courses will be started from this year that will help in capacity building in
the field of conservation of cultural heritage.
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AD/DB