Delhi's artistic infrastructure was developed post 1947 by the efforts of the Delhi Shilpi Chakra (an artist group) and India's first private art gallery, the Dhoomimal Gallery. With the government's first five year plan (1951-56), India adopted a cultural policy that established the Lalit Kala Academy and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi. This made Delhi an important centre for art, a status that had been earlier granted Bengal and Bombay. Contemporary Indian art is flourishing and Delhi has an ever changing roster of paintings and exhibitions in its galleries. Everything from abstract art to sombre studies of urban life can be found in these exhibits.
National Art Gallery of Modern Art
Jaipur House, India Gate, New Delhi-110001Phone.: 23382835
Timings: 10.00 am to 5.00 p.m
Closed: Monday
One of India's major art galleries, the National Gallery of Modern Art was once the residence of the Maharaja of the Jaipur. Situated near India Gate at the Eastern end of Rajpath, it houses an excellent collection of works by both Indian and colonial artists dating from 1850. The gallery has a collection of more than 15,000 paintings, sculptures and graphics.
Lalit Kala Akademi
Rabindra Bhawan, Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi-110001.Phone.: 23387241-43
Timing: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (closed on Saturday and Sunday)
This spacious gallery is spread over three floors and had its first national exhibition of art in 1958. The gallery holds the prestigious Triennale India in which 30 to 40 countries participate, and a national exhibition of photography and art is held. One always finds something interesting happening here, especially during the winter months.
Triveni kala Sangam
Tansen Marg, New Delhi.Phone.: 23718833
Timing: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (Closed on Sunday)
A four galleried cultural complex including the basement gallery run by Art Heritage. Shridharni Gallery is the largest gallery here. Triveni Gallery has smaller format works on display. The complex has a sculpture court for exhibitions and a bookshop with unconventional books, journals and cassettes.
Art Heritage
205, Triveni Kala Sangam, Tansen Marg, New Delhi.Phone.:23718833.
Timing: 11.00 am to 7.00 pm
A respected name in the art world was founded in 1977 by Roshen Alkazi. The gallery holds regular exhibitions throughout the year of some of the best known artists in India.
Art Today
A-1 Hamilton House, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001.Phone.: 23320689 23352233
Timing: 11.00 am to 7.00 pm
It hosts the collections of the best artists and its exhibitions are often commercially high profile. The gallery produces well designed catalogues and posters.
Dhoomimal Art Gallery
8-A, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001.Phone.: 41516056, 23359526
Timing: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
It is One of the oldest commercial galleries which runs regular shows. Over the year, an entire spectrum of artists had their works displayed here.
Gallerie Ganesha
Phone.: 9810005733, 29226043, 29217306.Timing: 10 am to 7 pm
It is a gallery which primarily focuses on promoting talent in youth. Its huge collection includes paintings, graphics and sculptures.
Gallery Espace
16, Community Centre, New Friends Colony, New Delhi.Phone.: 26326267
Timing: 11.00 am to 6.00 pm
The Gallery has carved a niche for itself because of its specialised, unconventional focus. The gallery also produces informative catalogues.
Garhi Lalit Kala Artist Studio
Kala Kutir, East of Kailash, New Delhi.Phone.: 26432225
Timing: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
It is a Place worth visiting place if you are interested in the live processes of art. This studio is a part of and is run, The Lalit Kala Academy. Well known artists from India and abroad often hold workshops and illustrated lectures here.
LTG Gallery
Copernicus Marg, New Delhi-110001Phone.: 23389713
Timing: 11.00 am to 7.00 pm
The gallery often displays meaningful exhibitions. Its group shows by ceramic artists, theme shows on Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Kashmiri immigrants have made an impact.
The Village Gallery
14, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi.Phone.: 26853860
Timing: 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
This gallery has done innovative shows in graphic design, drawings and sketches by Satyajit Ray, Mono-rints by women inmates of Tihar Jail and Haku Shah's homage to Gandhiji with straw, rags and cotton wool.
