Vanashree Shedge grabs museum to add ‘Chhatrapati’ to Shivaji London display

Vanashree Shedge grabs museum to add ‘Chhatrapati’ to Shivaji London display

Vanashree Shedge who wasn’t given permission to display a board at the London-based Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum referred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that without his royal title, a curator assured her that the issue will be rectified.

Notably, it is learnt that the V&A Museum has ensured in writing to change Shivaji to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Amid their visit to London, on March 31, Vanashree accompanied by her younger sister Tejashree and first cousin Surashree visited the museum. The trio observed a display board referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in first person singular form.

The board recounting tiger claws, a weapon, in room number 41 (South Asia) mentions Shivaji by contrast
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This did not go down well with the three of them .

According to Vanasree, on the museum premises itself the trio discussed the issue and arrived to a conclusion that this should be brought to the notice of the management.

She told the media that she left feedback on how merely referring to the king as Shivaji was disrespectful, which got the administration’s immediate response.

Vanashree has taken images of the tiger claws kept in the museum, which she shared with mid-day.

As per the image shared, the display reads, “Tiger Claws: In 1659 the great Maratha ruler Shivaji, survived an assassination attempt by disembowelling the emissary sent from Bijapur under the pretext of making peace. It has been claimed that this weapon was the actual one used but the same claim has been made for several others.”

The coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took place in the capital of Hindavi Swarajya, the fort of Raigad. Coincidentally Vanashree hails from Roha, a town and taluka in Raigad district. It is located around 120 km southeast of Mumbai.

Vanashree and her relatives walked to a help desk counter and asked for a feedback form. “The woman at the help desk asked us the reasons for demanding the form. We explained our concern about the museum referring to Shivaji Maharaj in the singular form. Convinced, she immediately handed over the V&A comments card to us,” Vanashree said.

The Raigad local mentioned in the card, “The King represents our country and is never addressed with his first name only. It is a disrespect for him and our country India.” She also suggested that the museum should change the name in the display to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Shedges were overwhelmed by the alacrity exhibited by the museum in replying to their comment. “On March 31, I left the note, which had my email ID.

As per Vanasree, on April 5, she had received an email from the museum authorities. One of the curators acknowledged the suggestion and even assured us the changes mentioned in the comment card would be made.

Appreciating the museum’s actions, the engineering graduate affirmed that in London, the museum authorities acted swiftly and even assured us about changing the board. There is a lot to learn from the culture and approach of the UK, especially museum authorities.

She shared that the museum authorities reply with the media. Vanasree added that they would be closing the gallery in 2024 for a full refurbishment and will rewrite and update all the labels.

According to Vanasree,
She has taken images of the tiger claws kept in the museum, which she shared with mid-day.

As per the image shared, the display reads, “Tiger Claws: In 1659 the great Maratha ruler Shivaji, survived an assassination attempt by disembowelling the emissary sent from Bijapur under the pretext of making peace. It has been claimed that this weapon was the actual one used but the same claim has been made for several others.

The coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took place in the capital of Hindavi Swarajya, the fort of Raigad. Coincidentally Vanashree hails from Roha, in Raigad district located around 120 km southeast of Mumbai.

Vanashree and her relatives walked to a help desk counter and asked for a feedback form. The woman at the help desk asked us the reasons for demanding the form. When they explained their concern over the museum with reference referring to Shivaji Maharaj in the singular form. Convinced, she immediately handed over the V&A comments card to them

The Raigad local mentioned in the card, “The King represents our country and is never addressed with his first name only. It is a disrespect for him and our country India.” She also suggested that the museum should change the name in the display to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Shedges were overwhelmed by the alacrity exhibited by the museum in replying to their comment. “On March 31, I left the note, which had my email ID. On April 5, I received an email from the museum authorities. One of the curators acknowledged the suggestion and even assured us the changes mentioned in the comment card would be made.

Appreciating the museum*s actions, the engineering graduate said, “In London, the museum authorities acted swiftly and even assured us about changing the board. There is a lot to learn from the culture and approach of the UK, especially museum authorities.”

Vanashree expressed gratitude towards V&A Museum and no sooner, the necessary changes are made, she hopes to receive an email, informing her about the same according to the elder daughter of Sameer Shedge.

News input KV Raman