Bharat Kala Bhavan
| भारत कला भवन | |
 Bharat Kala Bhavan main building | |
  Museum location on Map of Varanasi district | |
| Established | 1 January 1920 |
|---|---|
| Location | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India |
| Coordinates | 25°16′17″N 82°59′46″E / 25.271490°N 82.995994°E |
| Collections |
Archaeological materials, Paintings, Textiles & costumes, Decorative art, Personalia collections, Indian philately, Literary and Archival materials |
| Collection size | 104,376 |
| Founder |
Rai Krishnadasa & Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya |
| Director | Prof. Ajay Kumar Singh |
| Chairperson |
Rabindranath Tagore (first honorary & lifelong Chairman) |
| Curator |
Dr. Anil Kumar Singh Vinod Kumar Abhay Narayan Gupta Dr. D. B. Singh Dr. R. P. Singh |
| Owner | Banaras Hindu University |
| Website | Official website |
Bharat Kala Bhavan (Hindi: भारत कला भवन) is an art and archeological museum located in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. It has been instrumental in collecting art and is one the important touristic attractions in the Banaras Hindu University and in Varanasi city.[1][2][3][4]
History
Bharat Kala Bhavan was established on 1 January 1920 in a wing of Bharat Kala Parishad in Godowlia, Varanasi. Between 1920 to 1962, the museum was shifted to several locations within Varanasi before Jawaharlal Nehru laid foundation of the existing museum building in 1950 and the museum was shifted to its existing location in the Banaras Hindu University in 1962.[5][6] Mahatma Gandhi visited Bharat Kala Bhavan thrice and in his final trip he inscribed "संग्रह बहुत अच्छा है" ("the collection is very good").
Milestones
- 1920: Bharat Kala Bhavan established.
- 1926: Bharat Kala Parishad shifted from Godowlia to Central Hindu Boys School.
- 1929: Rabindra Nath Tagore (first Chairman) decided to focus on art and crafts.
- 1929: Transfer of Bharat Kala Parishad to Kashi Nagari Pracharini Sabha under nomenclature of Bharat Kala Bhavan (Indian Art Museum).
- 1930: Formal opening of Bharat Kala Bhavan in Kashi Nagari Pracharini Sabha by Prof. Ordhendra Coomar Gangoly
- 1945: Silver Jubilee.
- 1947: Lending of exhibits in the exhibitions in London.
- 1950: Transfer of collection from Nagari Prachrini Sabha to Malaviya Bhavan in Banaras Hindu University.
- 1950: Foundation of present building laid by Jawaharlal Nehru.
- 1962: Inauguration of new building by Jawaharlal Nehru.
- 1970: Golden Jubilee.
- 1977: Foundation of Western Wing of building laid by Pratap Chandra Chunder.
- 1980: Passing away of Padma Vibhushan Rai Krishnadasa
- 1990: Inauguration of Alice Boner gallery.
- 1995: Platinum Jubilee.
- 2011: On 150th birth anniversary of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, museum produced a documentary film & published a book on him.
Collection
Bharat Kala Bhavan has a collection of artifacts, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, pictures, manuscripts, Mughal miniatures, paintings, brocade textiles, contemporary art form and bronze statues from 1st-15th century. Pottery, mental craft, ivory goods, jewellery, terracotta beads & rare collection of Gujarati, Rajasthani & Pahari miniature paintings are also on display in the museum. Total holdings of Bharat Kala Bhawan are 1,04,376.[7][2]
Items on display
- Archival materials
- Archaeological materials
- Decorative art
- Indian philately
- Literary
- Paintings
- Personalia collections
- Textiles & costumes
Holdings
| Section | Count |
|---|---|
| Archeological Section | 24,561 |
| Banaras Section | 705 |
| Decorative Art Section | 1,169 |
| Exchange | 76 |
| Literary Section | 27,336 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,605 |
| Numismatic Section | 33,236 |
| Painting Section | 10,625 |
| Philately Section | 2,941 |
| Textile Section | 1,747 |
| Wollen Textile Blocks | 375 |
| Total | 104,376 |
See also
References
- ↑ "Museum information". Museum website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
- 1 2 "Bharat Kala Bhavan". Eastern Uttar Pradesh tourism website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
- ↑ "Museum info". Varanasi district website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
- ↑ "Info on Varanasi city website". Varanasi city website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
- ↑ "History". Museum website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
- ↑ "Milestones". Museum website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
- ↑ "Collection". Museum website. Retrieved Jun 2015.
