Dr Dinesh Parekh Museum India
First of it's kind, only historic Museum outside of India.
Comprehensive collection of arts on Hindu mythology, exclusive collection of original paintings, high-quality lithographs, chromolithographs, engravings, sculptures, coins, and stamps
Dr Dinesh Parekh's Museum India - Showcase
Museum India exhibits an exclusive collection of original paintings, high-quality lithographs, chromolithographs, engravings, sculptures, coins, and stamps. This distinctive collection will enhance the Gallery’s focus on the beauty and mysteries of Indian History, Hindu culture & mythology, and astonishing international arts. Notably, it stands as the only one of its kind outside India.
ABOUT MUSEUM INDIA - History
Learning from history through art gives first-hand experience of the history itself...
Dr. Dinesh Parekh, a retired psychiatrist born in 1939 and passed away in February 2022, embarked on a distinguished career marked by academic achievements and a profound passion for the arts. In 1976, Dr. Parekh became a fellow of the ANZ College of Psychiatry, and for three years, he served as a WHO research psychiatrist.
Beyond the realm of psychiatry, Dr. Parekh discovered a profound interest in photography, branching out in collecting Indian arts, stamps, and ancient coins, dating back to 600 BC.
Over more than five decades, his collection has grown to over one million items, including 11,000 paintings, lithographs, chromolithographs, and photographs from the 1840s onwards by world-renowned artists and photographers.
His extensive collection also comprises 350-400 coins made from gold, silver, copper, and lead, spanning from 500 BC onwards. Additionally, Dr. Parekh possesses nearly one million rare and colorful stamps, showcasing dignitaries and renowned individuals from the performing arts.
Museum India was born out of desire of Dr Parekh to share the large collection with wider community, benefitting the generations of the future.
PIC: Birth of the river Ganges
History
Exhibits span across 2000 years with artefacts including ancient coins dating to 2 BCE, sculpture, statues, paintings, photos, historical letters and numerous books.
Culture
Paintings depict culturally significant personalities, avatara purush, royal lifestyle, historical events spanning 1000's of years and across religions.
Etihasa
The long history of India is filled with stories captured in a dramatic and realistic context also known as Etihasas - The Museum has number of such artefacts on display.
Coins
One of the most significant collection includes Coins from 600 BCE to the modern day currency, rare medals and International stamp collection albums.
Mission of Museum India
- Museum India shall be a captivating hub for Interest, Information, Education and Perpetual intellectual stimulation on Indian history, mythology, culture and religion for the Australian communities.
- Museum India shall exhibit paintings, lithographs, chromolithographs, albumen photographs and many more antiquities on major historical events to walkthrough Indian history through artefacts.
- Museum India to focus on promoting Indian culture and heritage by inculcating the youth and wider community participation in understanding centuries of history, complex religious co-existence and social cohesion of the society.
The Roadmap
Museum India plans to actively engage in outreach initiatives to showcase the rich collection of arts and artefacts.
- Plan to reach out to primary and secondary schools in Victoria, extending invitations to students to explore the diverse facets on display.
- Collaboration with educational institutions, including universities, private colleges, and community organisations, aiming to make the museum visit a periodic event firmly embedded in their schedules.
- Offer a rich experience to visitors all year round by organising shows based on historically significant events that offer a deeper understanding of Indian history and culture.
- Expand on the collections to include musical instruments of bygone era, to share the rich tapestry of the Indian culture through classical and contemporary forms of arts.
- Digitalise the collection to offer audio guide / virtual tour as well as an informed contextual background to every asset.
- In future, tie up with research institutions giving opportunities for students to explore the history deeper that just visually explore the collection.
- A full-fledged team of staff and volunteers that can work together to full-fill the dream of Dr Dinesh Parekh in bringing out history through the realms of visual art.
What the community say Museum India
Contact us
P: +61 403 777 252
E: secretary@aicct.org.au
16-18 Kingsley Close, Rowville VIC 3178
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