The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is India’s premier museum for modern and contemporary art. It is run by the Ministry of Culture and has galleries in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Here is what visitors should know.
History
NGMA New Delhi opened on 29 March 1954. Vice President Dr S Radhakrishnan inaugurated it in the presence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It is housed in Jaipur House, a former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, near India Gate. A large new wing was later added to show more of the collection.
Branches
- **NGMA Mumbai:** opened in 1996 in the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall near Regal Circle.
- **NGMA Bengaluru:** opened in 2009 in Manikyavelu Mansion on Palace Road.
What the collection holds
The collection covers Indian art from around the mid nineteenth century to the present, with paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs. Highlights include:
- Raja Ravi Varma, known for his oil paintings of mythological scenes.
- Rabindranath, Abanindranath and Gaganendranath Tagore of the Bengal School.
- Amrita Sher-Gil, one of the most important modern Indian painters.
- Jamini Roy, known for folk inspired paintings.
- Later masters such as M F Husain, S H Raza, F N Souza and Tyeb Mehta.
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National treasures
The works of nine artists, including Raja Ravi Varma, Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gil and Jamini Roy, have been declared national art treasures, which means they cannot be taken out of India. NGMA holds many of these works.
Visiting tips
- Galleries are generally closed on Mondays and national holidays. Check the official website for current timings.
- Tickets are low cost for Indian visitors, with concessions for students.
- Allow two to three hours to see the main galleries in Delhi.
- Photography rules vary, so check at the entrance.
- Look out for special exhibitions, talks and workshops.
Why visit
NGMA tells the story of how Indian art changed from colonial academic styles to the Bengal School and then to modern and contemporary movements after independence.
Bottom line
For anyone curious about Indian art, NGMA in Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru is an easy and affordable place to begin.
Source / स्रोत: National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, Ministry of Culture, Press Information Bureau
