Geeta Dham A Museum with a Twist

In this article, Rajshekhar Pant introduces us to Dr Yashodhar Mathpal-a multifaceted talent recognized internationally in academic circles as one of the top experts in prehistoric archaeology, particularly in the field of cave art. Additionally, as an acknowledged painter, he has to his credit numerous solo exhibitions in various European countries and the USA.

- Rajshekar Pant

An avid conservationist who upholds Gandhian values, Dr Mathpal has established a museum in his residence named Geeta Dham in Bhimtal. The museum features three expansive galleries projecting the compatibility of human life with the environment as it existed in the central Himalayan region in days gone by. The diverse array of objects and a selection of his paintings on display compel and condition visitors to introspect and sense the degeneration to which we have subjected ourselves.

Bumping into him for the first time did give me the feel of standing face to face with a 19th century rustic, straight from the pages of some musty volume by Tolstoy, Turgenev or Chekhov. A tall robust frame, broad forehead with a receding hairline, big spatulated palms—he was draped in a coarse khadi dhoti-kurta and was putting on an ordinary flip-flop slippers. I could make it out that his was an arcane profile.

Known in both sides of Atlantic for his original work in the field of prehistoric archaeology, especially the cave and rock art, Dr Yashodhar Mathpal is also a gifted painter and has to his credit several solo exhibitions in India and abroad.