Bharat Kala Bhavan

Bharat Kala Bhavan is a university museum located in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. It has been instrumental in the dissemination of knowledge on Indian art and culture. It is one of the important touristic attractions in the Banaras Hindu University and in Varanasi] city.[1][2][3][4]

Bharat Kala Bhavan
भारत कला भवन
Bharat Kala Bhavan main building
Museum location on Map of Varanasi district
Established1 January 1920 (1920-01-01)
LocationBanaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Coordinates25.271490°N 82.995994°E / 25.271490; 82.995994
CollectionsArchaeological materials,
Paintings,
Textiles & costumes,
Decorative art,
Personalia collections,
Indian philately,
Literary and
Archival materials
Collection size104,376
FounderRai Krishnadasa &
Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
DirectorProf. Ajay Kumar Singh
ChairpersonRabindranath Tagore
(first honorary & Life chairman)
CuratorDr. Anil Kumar Singh
Vinod Kumar
Dr. D. B. Singh
Dr. Priyanka Chandra
Deepak Bharathan Alathur
OwnerBanaras Hindu University
Websiteweb.archive.org/web/20150429120542/http://www.bhu.ac.in/kala/index_bkb.htm

History

The concept for Bharat Kala Bhavan came to fruition with establishment of Bharatiya Lalit Kala Parishad on 1 January 1920 in a wing in Godowlia, Varanasi. Between 1920 and 1962, the museum's collection 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: Bharatiya Lalit Kala Parishad established.
  • 1926: Bharatiya Lalit 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 Bharatiya Lalit 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 artefacts, 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 104,376.[7][2]

Yakshi on elephant displayed in Bharat Kala Bhavan

Items on display

Holdings
SectionCount
Archeological Section24,561
Banaras Section705
Decorative Art Section1,169
Exchange76
Literary Section27,336
Miscellaneous1,605
Numismatic Section33,236
Painting Section10,625
Philately Section2,941
Textile Section1,747
Woollen Textile Blocks375
Total104,376
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See also

References
  1. "Museum information". Museum website. Archived from the original on 29 April 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. "Bharat Kala Bhavan". Eastern Uttar Pradesh tourism website. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. "Museum info". Varanasi district website. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  4. "Info on Varanasi city website". Varanasi city website. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  5. "History". Museum website. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  6. "Milestones". Museum website. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  7. "Collection". Museum website. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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