Vandana Raj, the designer of ' designer ' museums is a daughter of Coimbatore. She hails from the illustrious Kikani family and her parents are Ila and Lalit Kikani. The Kikani family has been known for its acumen in the textile line of activity. Vandana Raj had done her schooling at the famous Kikani School and Avila Convent. She completed her B.Com from the Avinashilingam University. Marriage followed and Vandana moved over to Ahmedabad and began to live with her businessman husband Raj Parikh.
Vandana Raj, the designer of ' designer ' museums is a daughter of Coimbatore. She hails from the illustrious Kikani family and her parents are Ila and Lalit Kikani. The Kikani family has been known for its acumen in the textile line of activity. Vandana Raj had done her schooling at the famous Kikani School and Avila Convent. She completed her B.Com from the Avinashilingam University. Marriage followed and Vandana moved over to Ahmedabad and began to live with her businessman husband Raj Parikh.
" I was keen to further my skills and my mother in law Nita Narendra Parikh was a great source of support. She encouraged me to do a creative course. Otherwise I would have chosen a different line. My brother Vrajesh and my husband Raj had done their MBA. Media studies were not very popular those days. My mother in law had the foresight and therefore she advised me to pursue the programme. There were 1000 applicants and I was in the ninth place. The seat was secured after a written test, group discussion and an interview. On completing my education, I started my career as a script writer and a production assistant. The UGC country wide classroom, was a nice oppourtunity. Have worked with the NID Video Section, Radio Station and EMRC ( Education Media Research Centre ) and ISRO. The Indian Space Research Organization has been using the television for societal upliftment through DECO ( Development Education Communication Unit ) from the year 1971. My work slowed down a bit after the arrival of my son Shyam. Subsequently Vama Communications came up in the year 2001. We did a lot of work with corporates and Government agencies. Vama worked with all sectors of the corporate world. We were servicing clients and preparing content. The content was based on the needs of the society. A lot of technology was used and it was received well in the market, " stated Vandana while taking her time off from a busy schedule.
Vama Communications has 100 plus IPs with it. These include animation, comic books, games ( including board games ). A series of books on value based learning with Sachin Tendulkar is part of the repertoire. One of Vandana's earliest assignments were from Coimbatore. She had worked alongside SITRA ( Southern India textile Research Association ) during the tenure of its Director Indra Doraiswamy. Films and collaterals connected with training of workers and capacity building were made for SITRA.
" The Mahatma Gandhi Convention Centre was conceived by the energetic Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Its a huge convention centre in Gandhinagar. Vibrant Gujarat was happening and we were asked to develop a technology driven space on Gandhiji.
We just had 45 days from ' concept to curation '. The area was 7500 square feet and we used the best of technology - 3D projection mapping, augmented reality, virtual reality and touch interactive glass surfaces. It was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modjii.
We have been creating a number of museums and permanent shows. It has been possible to do 15 projects thus far and another 10 are in the pipeline. Our landmark project is yet to come ! We curate and also manage the facilities created by our team. Work goes on because of our team. Right now, we are working on a museum which will tell us more about the great Ambedkar. He has given something to every Indian. We expect the facility to be ready shortly. I am glad that the history of our country is getting the respect it deserves. There was a time when people wanted to know why our country has not showcased its history in an aesthetic manner. Its happening now and we are happy to be a part of it , " added Vandana. She continues to visit Coimbatore once in a way.
The list of museums done by Vama Communications is impressive. " We worked on a community resource centre in Port Blair ( Andaman & Nicobar Islands ), Kanji Swami Museum - Umrala ( Gujarat ), Museum on Morarji Desai - Rang Upvan ( Valsad in Gujarat ), Gandhi to Mahatma ( Mahatma Mandir - Gandhinagar ), Mahatma Gandhi Museum - Rajkot, National Police Museum - New Delhi, Dinosaur Museum - Balasinor in Gujarat among a few others. Right now, we are working on a few interesting projects which include - Zydus Cadilla Corporate Museum, Regional Science Museum - Patan, Regional Science Museum - Bhavnagar, Bapu Museum : 3D Projection Mapping Show - Vijayawada ( Andhra Pradesh ), Kurnool Museum, Mahatma Gandhi Museum - Aga Khan Palace ( Pune ). It was in this historic location that Gandhiji suffered major tragedies. His wife Kasturba and Secretary Mahadev Desai has passed away while he was incarcerated here, " paused Vandana Raj of Vama Communications. The company has worked with a number of Jain and Vaishnav organizations in Gujarat.
" Well, its interesting to work on museum projects. It involves a lot of study and research. The concept has to include the findings and the implementation has to address history, heritage and technology in a seamless manner. We learn a lot while on these projects and it is exciting. The National Police Museum at Delhi was a wonderful project. It is an inspirational space. The visitor will want to become a cop. It talks about the sacrifices made by the cops. These sacrifices have made our lives safe.
It was tremendously interesting to learn that there many types of Central and State Police forces. The list includes CRPF ( Central Reserve Police Force ), IB ( Intelligence Bureau ), BSF ( Border Security Force ), ITBP ( Indo Tibetian Border Police ) among many others. When we got into the project, we were just taken aback. The good work of these agencies in the interest of the country simply enthralled us, " shared the ebullient Founder of Vama Communications.
All the museums are ticketed. Vandana feels that the tickets will ensure that the visit is ' valued more '. The Dinosaur Museum has good footfalls. The real sized Rajasauraus Narmadensis ( King of Dinosaurs ) can be enjoyed in its real size at this interesting museum.
Vandana is a communications expert, writer, filmmaker and a curator of museums. Her company Vama Communications is sought for museum projects based on technology. Her unique work in media, edutainment and her ability to adapt to newer technology etc., have given her success.
The period post renaissance saw museums develop across Europe. India had responded immediately with the first museum in Calcutta during the eighteenth century.
Vandana continued further, " Most purists look at museums as spaces for showcasing artefacts. We are disrupting this mindset and enabling museums to look beyond, to become narratives of change. Our land's antiquity and its tremendous history combined with its rich legacy made our museums content rich.
Our vision is clear, our mission is ensuring more and more eyeballs for spaces that we curate. It won't be long before museums become chosen hotspots for entertainment and enrichment. The name Vama in Sanskrit means pretty woman and we want each of our projects to complement our name."
Coimbatore is a city steeped in entrepreneurship and is also known for its long and interesting history. It will be appropriate to have a museum which will showcase the spirit of the city. A regular museum showcasing the history of the region is a need of the hour. Every aspect of the region should can be showcased in a beautiful manner. The city is fortunate to have a connect with the designer of ' designer ' museums, Vandana Raj.
The work of Vama Communications and its Founder Vandana Raj will definitely sow the seeds for a worthwhile museum project which befits the enterprising city.