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 the city of Varanasi.[1][2][3][4]

Bharat Kala Bhavan
Bharat Kala Bhavan main building
Bharat Kala Bhavan is located in Varanasi district
Bharat Kala Bhavan
Museum location on Map of Varanasi district
Established1 January 1920 (1920-01-01)
LocationBanaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
Coordinates25°16′17″N 82°59′46″E / 25.271490°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
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
Websitewww.bhu.ac.in/kala/index_bkb.htm

History

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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, then 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").[citation needed]

Milestones

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Collection

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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, metal 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

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Holdings

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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
Woollen Textile Blocks 375
Total 104,376

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Museum information". Museum website. Archived from the original on 15 August 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b "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. Archived from the original on 16 September 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Milestones". Museum website. Archived from the original on 21 December 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Collection". Museum website. Archived from the original on 16 September 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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