The Conversation Laboratory of the National Museum since its inception has made great strides and today it is one of the best laboratoreis in the field of conservation and restoration of the art objects. Initially, its main task was to look after the huge collection of National Museum against all kinds of deterioration. Today, the laboratory is not only well equipped with various sophisticated applicances, but also manned by the experts to carry out a variety of programmes for an overall development of our cultural heritage. Besides keeping the vast and varied collection in good state of preservation as per International Standards, it is also serving other institutions, Raj Bhavans and other public agencies in identification, examination and actual restoration of oil paintings and other art works. Its main activities are as follows :

Research Project : Since documentation of art art objects has become necessary for an institution like the National Museum, the laboratory documents the artefacts by keeping their written and graphic records, radiographic documentation, photography under normal, oblique, infrared, and ultra-violet lights, analysis through Atomic Absorption and X-ray diffraction equipment. These studies help in preparing finger prints of the art objects, which in turn are used for checking any damage, faking and proper security of antiquities. The stored information helps in research oriented works.

Conservation Project : Being responsible for safeguarding the huge collection of National Museum from all kinds of deterioration, the laboratory carries out regular surveys of art objects of different departments, and gives treatment on priority basis to all the objects that need it. Simultaneously, it takes preventive measures against the factorts that may cause damage to the artefacts. Materials of delicate nature like palm leaves, parchment, paper, miniatures, textiles, and oil paintings as well as harder substances such as metal and their allowys, stones, terracottas, ceramics and wall paintings are treated according to the internationally accepted ethics of conservation. The laboratory is well equipped to deal with the art objects of both organic and inorganic nature in general. Major conservation projects presently in hand are as follows :

(a) National Project of Restoration of Oil Paintings of Non-Indian origin and other works of art : The project was launched by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India in 1985 for the survey, documentation and conservation of the oil paintings and other artefacts of non-Indian origin lying in various Raj Bhavans, old Havelis and other places. The project was initiated in National Museum Laboratory and was later strengthened by two more centres-one at National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property, Lucknow and another at Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta. With these two supporting centres, it covers the cultural legacy of the entire country.

(b) Conservation of Wall Paintings at Jhala Haveli, Rajasthan The Laboratory took up the job of treating the wall paintings of Jhala Haveli, Kota, Rajasthan. The work has been completed successfully and these paintings after the mounting are to be displayed in the galleries of National Museum.

Training, workshop and seminar : The labroatory has organised a number of training programmes for the students, curators and conservators. Also, it has been arranging workshops and seminars at various places where ways and means for conserving the vast cultural heritage of country are discussed.

Educational Programmes : National Museum Institute, deemed to be a university, imparts teaching to students who enroll themselves for M.A. degree in conservation. The staff of labroratory gives emphasis as much on theoretical courses as on practical work. The laboratory provides guidance to other institutions not having facilties for restoration, and has been rendering valuable services to many institutions.

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