BHARAT SAMACHAR

News	Features	Finance & Investment	Art & Culture	Destination India
Astrology	Vastu	Matrimonials	Letters to Editor	Our Team

If one is desirous of losing oneself in the cultural heritage of India and is a connoisseur of art, then what better place to be in than the museums and art galleries of the country! The art galleries house the works of the best artists which could perhaps be pre-sold but can be seen at the galleries in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta, Vadodra and Trivandrum.

Art exhibitions held in these cities periodically feature solo and group exhibits. Museum exhibits constitute - findings at archaeological sites, miniature paintings, traditional crafts and royal memorabilia, the most interesting of all. Though it must be taken into consideration that this varies from one museum to another.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

In the north, Jammu harbours two museums which display a priceless array of miniature paintings belonging to the 'Pahari' (hill) school of painting. Distinctly styled sculptures of deities in stone, the hallmark of Kashmir from the 7th to 11th centuries can be seen only in the SPS Museum in Srinagar

DELHI

New Delhi's National Museum contains a host of items ranging from the terracotta figures of the 5th and 6th centuries BC to the exquisitely damascened swords of the Mughal era and the evolution of jewellery and weapons through the ages. Situated in the same city as is the Crafts Museum displaying India's folk art. Periodical exhibitions include those of textiles and wooden sculptures and other crafts.

RAJASTHAN

Coming to Rajasthan, Jaipur's City Palace leaves the visitors flabbergasted with its tremendous collection of royal memorabilia. Bikaner, Jodhpur, Alwar, Jaisalmer and Bundi too have similar museums as each of these were princely states whose rulers were patrons of art including miniature paintings.

GUJRAT

On a visit to Gujarat one must see the sprinkling of museums in Ahmedabad consisting of private collections of an individual or a family. These are the Shereyas Museum of Folk Art, The Calico Museum of Textiles, The Kite Museum and the Utensil Museum. Vadodra's museum housed in an old palace has extremely rare bronze figures.

MADHYA PRADESH

Bhopal's museum revolves around the tribal skill of Madhya Pradesh. It's focus are the dhokra figures crafted in the now lost wax technique out of hell metal.

MAHARASHTRA

Pune's Dinkar Kelkar Museum is the lifelong collection of one man whose theme was the celebration of every day life in art and includes items like inkpots and betel nut crackers.

ANDHRA PRADESH

Hyderabad's Salar Jung Museum is also a personal collection that features treasures of great value contrasted with whimsical objects.

WEST BENGAL

To the eastern part of the country, Calcutta too has a museum, Mallick's Palace with the personal collection of one family

KERALA

Going down to the south, Trivandrum's museums display bronze figures of deities. Cochin's museums are housed in the buildings that were previously built by the Dutch and local rulers as palaces. The city also has the Museum of Natural History on its outskirts, which comes alive with sound and light shows. These shows bring to life the figures ranging from classical dancers to Portuguese traders.

KARNATAKA

The Government museum houses collection of sculptures, inscriptions, paintings, coins and excavated artefacts. While the Venkatappa art gallery is devoted to the works of K. Venkatappa, a famous artist from the court of Mysore kings.

This account on the museums and art galleries of India is just a tip of the iceberg. The cultural exuberance and composite tradition that marks the blend of civilizations has found full expression in heart-warming creations of master craftspersons. These creators extraordinaire, have inherited and honed ancestral skills to perfection. It would require a whole volume to discuss in detail as every city has its share of museums featuring classical, tribal or folk art.

Information regarding timings and special exhibitions is available with the information counters at the hotels and with the tourism office. So does it not urge us to go ahead and experience the beauty of the creations!