New Delhi, Sept 18: The first woman Sarod player of India Sharan Rani Backliwal today donated over a hundred musical instruments from her personal collection to the National Museum.
At a function at the National Museum, Sharan Rani, who collects musical instruments, formally handed over 132 instruments from her collection to Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan.
This is the second such donation made by the legendary Sarod player to the National Museum.

Objects gifted by her to the museum in 1980 form the `Sharan Rani Blackliwal gallery of musical instruments'.
Sharan Rani, who has collected the instruments for over 60 years, said, "museums in foreign countries have asked for objects from the collection. But i wanted the instruments to be under one roof. Hence the decision to donate so many of the to the national museum."
Accepting the instruments on behalf of the museum, Jagmohan said, "Sharan Rani has done a great service to the nation by bringing her collection to the national museum. It is a national treasure that will educate people about the cultural and musical heritage of the country."

Among the instruments donated by her are the rare 19th century `Mayuri sitar' she acquired from a royal family of Rajasthan, having a peacock neck with maroon velvet, a unique `Durbari sitar' dating back to 1850 and an early 19th century Vina from a Tamil royal family.

Bureau Report