Are you an artist or you’re just fascinated by art? Either way Jehangir Art Gallery is the place for you mate.
Established in 1952 by Sir Cowasji Jehangir, Jehangir Art Gallery is a famous tourist and art follower’s destination in Mumbai, India.
Mr. B. G. Kher, Chief Minister of Bombay State, has inaugurated Jehangir Art Gallery on 21st January of 1952.
Sir Cowasji Jehangir was the second Baronet and a well-known member of Bombay Parsi Community and the interesting part is that, the entire cost of creating this huge mansion was funded by Sir Cowasji himself.
Situated in Kala Ghoda of South Mumbai, it is hardly 10 minutes away from Gateway of India (approx. 750 meters) that is almost 3 to 4 minutes of walk from Prince of Wales Museum (which is behind this gallery with the distance of approx. 230 meters).
The Jehangir Art Gallery has four exhibition halls:
• The Auditorium Hall which has around 2700 square feet of floor area with 180 feet of height;
• The Exhibition Gallery is around 3700 square feet floor wise and 370 feet height wise and this gallery is divided into three sections;
• Hirji Jehangir Gallery is situated on the first floor and has 1408 square feet of floor area with 173 feet of height and;
• The Terrace Gallery for Photography and Visual Art is situated on the terrace of Jehangir Art Gallery and it has 650 square feet of floor area with 130 feet of height.
The entry fee for visitors is Free. The visiting hours of the gallery are 11am to 7pm and are open 7 days of the week. The Gallery has its own library, although, with restricted entry and along with that it also has country’s oldest licensed antique dealer in its complex, Natesan and, a popular cafe of Samovar.
Art lovers can connect with Gallery’s Sales Room, which is situated in the gallery complex, if they want to buy a copy of any artwork that is displayed in the gallery. Jehangir Art Gallery is also known as the center of Contemporary Indian Art; nationally as well as internationally to artists and art followers.
Another interesting fact about the gallery is the ‘Monsoon Art Show’ which is the annual exhibition sponsored by the Gallery to showcase the work of their proven merit students. And these meritorious students are the final year students from various art colleges all across Maharashtra. This exhibition displays the old master works.
The Gallery, with a small amount of fee, has also organized some of the programs on art criticism, art history and art appreciation.
It was dedicated in the memory of Sir Cowasji’s late son, Jehangir. He died in an accident in 1944. Apart from Jehangir Art Gallery, Sir Cowasji have created and funded Cowasji Jehangir Hall which is a modern art museum, located in the Colaba area of Mumbai, India; also Jehangir Institute of Psychiatry which is the largest psychiatric hospital in Pakistan and is located in Latifabad suburb of Hyderabad city, Sindh, Pakistan; Sir Cowasji Jehangir and his wife, Lady Hirabai Jehangir, also founded the Jehangir Hospital in the Pune city of Maharashtra, India. They have contributed all this in the memory of their son’s demise.
So if you’re planning your next trip to Mumbai, then don’t forget to check out the masterpieces of various artists at Jehangir Art Gallery. And then start your voyage to exploring the rest of the Mumbai.
Happy Travelling!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ankita Popli
I am an art lover; a Web Designer by profession, an artist by hobby, loves photography and trying my hands in writing. I like to surf the internet and read articles, blogs and see beautiful pictures of our everyday surroundings. You may catch me at [email protected].