Contrary to popular belief, Delhi NCR is a cultural hub ready to be explored by art lovers. The range of museum experiences available in the region is a testament to the same. There is something to explore for every person; offering a whole spectrum of exhibitions that delve into niche subjects. Whether you’re enamoured by vintage collectables or intrigued by lesser explored Indian tribal art, NCR covers it all.
With an aim to preserve cultural relics, these museums delve deeper into art history and evolution in the Indian context. Here’s a guide to everywhere you have to visit while you’re there. You can also check the websites of the museums to plan your visit around workshops and special exhibitions taking place every other week.
I. Museo Camera
One of the most interesting spaces to explore in Delhi NCR has to be Museo Camera, the largest not-for-profit crowd-funded centre for photographic arts in South East Asia. Situated in Gurugram, the museum provides an immersive experience for those of you with a passion for photography. The different spaces consist of a permanent collection gallery, and a curated display following the evolution of photographic equipment dating back to the 1850s. One can observe the visual journey that outlines the history of photography using years of research. There’s also an exhibition gallery that displays the work of multiple artists and a dark room to practise the traditional, analogue method of photography.
II. Heritage Transport Museum
Curious to explore vintage cars and get insight into the history of transportation in the Indian context? A perfect addition to your list to explore the NCR area would be The Heritage Transport Museum situated in Tauru, Gurugram. A state of the art interpretive and experimental museum has dedicated a space, ‘The Automobile Gallery’, to capture the evolution of transportation. It has a display of over 75 vintage and classic cars that have been used in India since the advent of motoring and a special section that showcases the role of cars in Bollywood. The museum also explores the grandeur of travel by rail through a historically inspired railway platform and a 1930s restored railway saloon from BBCI Railway. Other sections of the museum cover aviation, two-wheelers, rural transportation and collectable Indian toys on transport.
III. The Museum Of Folk & Tribal Art
One-of-a-kind, the Museum of Folk & Tribal Art, founded in 1984, sheds light on neglected artworks from folk and tribal communities of India. You can find distinctive collections of bronze figurines, paintings, metal crafts, paper-mache, textiles, terracottas, woodcrafts, and even books. The museum situated in Gurugram is also known as K.C. Aryan’s Home of Folk Art, named after the renowned modern painter, sculptor, art historian, and pioneer collector of folk and tribal art. The aim of the museum is to display and preserve historic relics created by court artists under royal patronage; offering a comprehensive experience to art enthusiasts eager to find unique pieces from tribal and folk communities often missing in larger museums.
IV. Sanskriti Museum
In an effort to preserve and present indigenous heritage, craftsmanship, aesthetic functionality, and cultural practices. The Museums of Everyday Art, Indian Terracotta and Textiles bring traditional and contemporary art together. The museum gives attention to the socio-cultural context of the objects and is a great place to learn about the arts and craft traditions of India in general. The museum, situated in Gurugram, also has a separate corner known as the ‘Sanskriti Kendra’ (Learning Centre) developed as a place to conduct workshops and act as a studio for young artists along with providing a central resource hub to conduct comprehensive research on the craft traditions of India.
If you enjoyed reading this, we also suggest: