Government Museum and Art Gallery

Government Museum and Art Gallery

An important building designed by Le Corbusier, in the moving spirit behind its eventual construction in 1968 was Dr. M.S. Randhawa, Chandigarh's first Chief Commissioner, and himself an art scholar. Ratna Mathur Fabri, an outstanding Indian designer made the museum furniture, display screens, showcases and frames. The present museum (earlier housed in temporary quarters) opened on May 6, 1968. In 1949 the collection of the Central Museum, Lahore, was divided between India and Pakistan. India's share, the core collection of this museum included 619 Gandhara sculptures and 92 ancient sculptures from other periods as well as 447 miniature paintings (mainly from the Punjab Hills but with some Persian, Mughal and Rajasthani works in addition).

Small collection of objects in stucco and terra cotta metal, ivory, lacquer, ceramic, enamel and fabric can be seen in this museum. Over the past 40 years, more than 9,000 objects have been acquired; the total number of works now exceeds 10,000. A guide to the museum, a catalogue of contemporary art, a catalogue of Brahmanical sculptures and series of picture postcards are on sale in the museum lobby. Art scholars may consult more than 6,000 books and journals in the museum's reference library. All the manuscripts of Dr. M.S. Randhawa are also preserved here. The museum's documentation section has an extensive collection of photographs and slides. Documentation of the Gandhara Collection has been computerized.

Open: 10.00 am 4.30 pm
Closed: Monday and Government holidays
Helpline: 0172-2742501

Museum of the evolution of life

A large cyclorama gallery is the focus of the museum; it depicts the origin of the earth and the evolution of life. Other galleries introduce the viewer to astronomy, geology and the world of ancient man.

Open: 10.00 am 4.45 pm
Closed: Monday and Government holidays

International Dolls Museum

Set up on December 24, 1985 in Bal Bhawan, Sector 23, it contains more than 300 dolls from all country of the world. Ten ceramic murals and a large model train complete the display.

Timing: Open from 10.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs all days except official holidays.

Child Art Gallery

This gallery exhibits works by young artists of the city. The museum frequently organises art workshops for children.

Timing: Open from 10.00 hrs to 16.30hrs all days except Monday and official holidays.

National Gallery of Portraits

The exhibitions are intended to chronicle the struggle for freedom from 1857 to 1947. The gallery now contains 1066 photographs plus facsimiles of original writings, sculptures, ceramic murals and glass-box tableaux depicting turning points in the independence movement. The gallery's library contains some 1300 books on the freedom struggle. One can also hear the taped voices of many of India's patriots.

Open: 9 am to 1 pm and 1.30 pm to 5pm.
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and government holidays

Punjab Kala Kendra

Set up in Sector-16, the Kendra is the office of the Punjab Arts Council (Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi). Exhibitions are frequently organised in its large galleries and the Punjab Lalit Kala Academy’s permanent collection of contemporary art is also on display here.