Bharat Kala Bhavan
# Bharat Kala Bhavan

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.

## History

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. Mahatma Gandhi visited Bharat Kala Bhavan thrice and in his final trip he inscribed "संग्रह बहुत अच्छा है" ("the collection is very good").

### Milestones

* 1920: Bharatiya Lalit Kala Parishad established.
* 1926: Bharatiya Lalit Kala Parishad shifted from Godowlia to Central Hindu Boys School at Kamachha.
* 1929: Rabindra Nath Tagore (first chairman) decided to focus on art and crafts.
* 1929: Transfer of Bharatiya Lalit Kala Parishad to Kashi Nagari Pracharini Sabha under nomenclature of Bharat Kala Bhavan (Indian Art Museum).
* 1930: Formal opening of Bharat Kala Bhavan in Kashi Nagari Pracharini Sabha by Prof. Ordhendra Coomar Gangoly
* 1945: Silver Jubilee.
* 1947: Lending of exhibits in the exhibitions in London.
* 1950: Transfer of collection from Nagari Prachrini Sabha to Malaviya Bhavan in Banaras Hindu University.
* 1950: Foundation of present building laid by Jawaharlal Nehru.
* 1962: Inauguration of new building by Jawaharlal Nehru.
* 1970: Golden Jubilee.
* 1977: Foundation of Western Wing of building laid by Pratap Chandra Chunder.
* 1980: Passing away of Padma Vibhushan Rai Krishnadasa
* 1990: Inauguration of Alice Boner gallery.
* 1995: Platinum Jubilee.
* 2011: On 150th birth anniversary of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, museum produced a documentary film & published a book on him.

## Collection

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.

### Items on display

* Archival materials
* Archaeological materials
* Decorative art
* Indian philately
* Literary
* Paintings
* Personalia collections
* Textiles & costumes

## Holdings

| 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 |
