India’s culture and heritage is unparalleled. As a melting pot, the nation has housed the treasures of various indigenous dynasties and international conquerors. At every region of the bountiful land, one would come face to face with local arts and crafts. Whether it is the Cheriyal village of Telangana, known for its folk Cheriyal scroll paintings or modern art bound within the galleries of Delhi, the country believes in propagating the beauty of art and associated ideas. To realize this ambitious vision, the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture engendered a franchise of art galleries entitled the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA). At present, NGMA has three locations — Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
National Gallery of Modern Art Bangalore
The National Gallery of Modern Art Bangalore is the third site, serving as the southern centre of the NGMA. The gallery found its home in the 109-year-old Manikyavelu Mansion, subleased by the Ministry of Kannada and Culture. The restoration of the mansion began in 2003 and it was opened to the public on 18 February 2009. NGMA, Bangalore is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as a 100-seater auditorium, a public art reference library, a museum shop, and a cafeteria. The National Gallery of Modern Art regularly conducts art and culture talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances, seminars, film screenings, and guided talks.
Architecture of National Gallery of Modern Art Bangalore
The National Gallery of Modern Art was constructed keeping in mind the principles of a heritage structure. It is situated on an expansive 3.5 acres of land. The building mirrors the older building on either side and is three times the size of the original Manikyavelu Mansion, including two new blocks. Large rooms, worn floors, and spotless white walls define the new complex; an ideal location for exhibitions and installations. Ample natural reflected light is available from edge skylights.
The open sculpture courtyard serves as a creative workspace while blending in with the surrounding vegetation and topography. The two-story colonial-style residential building holds the artwork. There is a second modern wing with contemporary architecture at the gallery. During renovations, a new gallery block with 1260 square meters of display space was added to the existing 1551 square meters. The new building’s architecture was created to complement the historical Manikyavelu Mansion’s style.
Collection at National Gallery of Art Bangalore
The National Gallery of Modern Art in Bangalore boasts an exemplary collection of paintings, sculptures, graphic prints, and early photography which illuminate the trajectory of modern art in India. Indian miniatures, artists from the Bengal School, colonial artists, and post-independence artists are all kept on display. The exhibitions have been arranged and categorized into broad categories based on various historical periods, art schools, and artists. Paintings by Jamini Roy, Amrita Sher-Gil, Nandlal Bose, Raja Ravi Varma, the Tagore brothers, and many other modern and contemporary artists are on the show. They depict the exquisite techniques of painting on tempera, paper, and even silk clothes featurinng Indian rural life.
You will undoubtedly find Indian modern, postmodern, and traditional artwork at the National Gallery of Modern Art Bangalore. It displays artwork spanning the eighteenth century to the present. The extensive collection includes artwork by Arpita Singh and Anjolie Ela Menon, along with sculptures by artists like S. Dhanpal and Kanayi Kunhiraman. Regional modernist masters such as VS Gaitonde and Mukul Dey’s graphic prints are showcased in the permanent collection on the first floor.
Image Courtesy – Times of India
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