MUMBAI: Noted author Rudyard Kipling's birthplace -- the dean's bungalow in the prestigious J J School of Art in South Mumbai where a two-storeyed structure stands in a state of neglect today, will soon be home to a world-class museum.
   
"J J School of Art has over 2,000 invaluable paintings and sculptures, some dating back to 1878, by celebrated artists produced by the institute which are lying in a state of neglect and we plan to house them at the museum which will be created by renovating the bungalow," Sangeeta Jindal of the Jindal South West Foundation (JSW), which is funding the project, said.
   
The 17,000 sq ft bungalow is located in the lush green J J School campus and also has a garden in front where some sculptures are expected to be kept as part of the project.

"The government discovered recently that a painting kept here can fetch as much as Rs five crore and we have 2,000 such pieces which have to be restored and shown to the world," said a J J School of Arts faculty member.
   
Paintings and sculptures to be kept for exhibition will be selected by a team led by former faculty member Suhas Bahulkar and then the process of cleaning and documenting would begin.
   
"Simultaneously, we would be restoring the bungalow by indulging in least interference with the original construction as the entire campus is a grade II heritage structure. Oneroom will be kept in the bungalow for the Kipling memorabilia," conservation architect Vikas Dilawari said.
   
JSW will also be restoring the main building of the J J School of Art as part of the project which has been undertaken keeping in mind the sequi-centennial celebrations of the school.

"It's very sad that a prestigious institute like J J lies in a state of neglect and it was high time we did something about it. We are thankful to the government of Maharashtra for giving us the opportunity to carry out the project," Jindal said.
   
Apart from the works of the distinguished alumni of the college, the museum will also house paintings and sculptures of students undergoing courses at the school.
   
"We have talented artists but lack infrastructure, and this museum will be a step in providing them with a platform," Jindal added.

Once complete, JSW plans to create a corpus through sale of some works for upkeep of the museum.
   
Before the works are kept at the museum, JSW plans them to exhibit at a gallery in Mumbai for over a month.
   
A special approach road will be constructed leading upto the bungalow situated inside the campus so that vistors can reach it. Eventually, the museum will be added to the heritage walk which takes enthusiasts to other places of interest located nearby like the Mumbai dock, D N Road and Crawford Market.

Kipling's father Lockwood was the first principal of the J J School of Art. Kipling is said to have stayed there till the age of six.