History and architecture are the foremost things associated with Delhi which crosses our mind because of the city’s rich heritage. The Indian capital has a vibrant culture and a longing for art so it’s no surprise that the city is home to so many museums. One of them is the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi, also known by the name “The Jaipur House“.
National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi
The Jaipur House was designed to be a residence for the Maharaja of Jaipur by the architect Sir Arthur Bloomfield in 1936. The building was devised to have butterfly-shaped with a dome in the central area. The idea was galvanized by Sir Edwin Lutyens’s perspective of the Central Hexagon which helped design all the major buildings in the new capital of Delhi.
Special Screenings
The museum is spread across five floors and yet doesn’t have enough space to showcase every piece of artwork in its collection. Thus the museum administrators hold special screenings on numerous occasions to flaunt the artwork and other pieces from history.
Exhibition on India’s 70th Independence Day
Marking the 70th anniversary of India‘s Freedom launched various exhibitions all over the country. This included an exclusive collection of pictures from the freedom movement in India which was when I decided to visit the museum.
The National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi holds a collection of approx 14000 artworks with paintings from renowned artists including Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gill, Raja Ravi Verma and also from some of foreign artists.
Location of the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi
The National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi is located at the central location of the national capital just opposite another landmark of Delhi – India Gate. The museum also holds other branches in Mumbai and one in Bangalore to be opened shortly.
How to reach the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi
- By Metro – The nearest metro station is Central Secretariat from where one may either walk or take an auto.
- By Bus – Bus no 501 goes directly to the museum from Tilak Bridge.
- By Cab/Auto Rikshaw – Cabs/Auto Rickshaws are available from any point in the city going to the gallery.
Related Read – Top 10+ insider tips for first-time travel to Delhi, India!
*Pro-Tip* If you’re visiting by your own car and need parking, go around the entire building complex and reach Gate No 3, the cars are allowed beyond this gate only and even have free parking for visitors too.
Tickets & Time to see the National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi is a really reasonable place to visit with tickets as low as 10 INR ~ 0.1$ for Indians and 50 INR ~ less than 1$ for foreigners. The timings have been altered lately as shown on the entry gate of the museum as 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM. Depending on your art love, the time for sightseeing may vary from 3-6 hours. The museum has 5 floors with permanent collections at the 2nd to 5th floors while the exhibits are rotated at the basement and first floors.
Photographic Tips
The authorities at the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi, don’t allow photography inside the premises. The guards are on roll all the time to ensure this photography ban so don’t even bother clicking pictures. I know this might leave some disappointed, but it’s even better to enjoy contemporary art without continuously trying to click photographs.
The contemporary art museum not only holds paintings and sculptures inside the gallery but the visibility of art is easily prominent from the outside of the gallery as well. As we proceeded towards the ticket counter, we found these beautiful sculptures placed outside in the garden area. The building premises has astounding architecture with wonderful doors and windows which can be seen evidently all over the stretch.
The Metal Tree
My favourite of all the contemporary art, sculptures, paintings and art collections out there in the museum has to be the metal tree highlighting all sorts of utensils. Not only was the tree looking gorgeous but that was such a unique concept to see in an art museum.
I got lucky to visit the museum in the afternoon and catch this gorgeous pink sunset when I finished my tour of the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi. This is one of my favourite sunsets and even got a list in my compilation of World’s Most Beautiful Sunsets.
Have you visited Delhi and did you get a chance to see the National Gallery of Modern Art Delhi? Do share your experience with me!
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– Shivani
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