Bharat Kala
Bhavan lies within the sprawling grounds ofBanaras Hindu University. Its
outstanding collection of sculpture, paintings and textiles began with the
private collection of the enlightened Rai Krishnadasa.
The
sculpture collection includes terracotta and clay objects, stone and
bronze and cast metal objects. Ancient terracotta varying from ritual
icons to toys to utilitarian objects date to the Indus Valley
civilisation, Mauryan, Sunga and Gupta periods. Among the stone sculpture
are red sandstone reliefs from the 2nd century BC Buddhist stupa at
Bharhui and rare images and statues from well known schools like Gandhara,
which saw the synthesis of Greek and Indian styles and Mathura, a powerful
art centre during the Kushana period.
The large and impressive
collection of textiles contain precious examples of Banaras silks and
brocades, embroidered shawls from Kashmir and the rare Chamba rumak, once
used to wrap ceremonial gifts and offerings were richly embroidered pieces
with designs and stories from the life of Krishna.
Miniatures
from almost all the great schools of painting are represented here:
Mughal, Rajasthani and Pahari. Promient themes revolve around the
dalliance Of Radha and Krishna as well as Krishna's many remarkable
exploits like lifting Mount Govardhana. Especially exquisite is a
miniature from GuIer-Kangra (1760-70) of Krishna bathing with thegopis, a
part of the Bhagavata series described as painted by the 'painter of
moonlight.' Among the paintings from the Mughal schools is a Hamzanama
dating to the Akbar period and one entitled Hermitage of Shaikh Phool, a
celebrated Sufi, painted by Bishan Das, Jahangir's chief portrait painter.
Bharat Kala Bhavan
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Timings:
July to April: 11.00 am to 4.30 pm May to June: 7.30 am to 12.30 pm
Closed
on Sundays and university holidays.
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