Bengaluru, 17 Jan

The historic Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bengaluru is undergoing a renovation by keeping the skeletal structure of the building intact and incorporating elements of modern architecture.   

The renovation of the 60-year-old structure by Karnataka Tourism Department comes after years of neglect with many artists advocating for expanding the gallery and better management of the institution. The renovation is estimated to cost around Rs 26 crore and is expected to be completed within 8-9 months, before Dussehra (October 2024). The new museum will have 236 new paintings and artworks on Plaster of Paris by renowned artist Venkatappa.

The newly renovated gallery will display the oldest Halmidi inscription in India and Wadiyaar textiles and puppets. Also, new storages will be designed for efficient space management to showcase around 9,000 artefacts across 22 diverse categories. 

To enhance the visitors’ experience, the authorities are planning to introduce audio and visual guides for each display. Additionally, interactive installations for each display category are in the works, aiming to engage students and youngsters effectively. 

Tourism Minister HK Patil expressed delight at the restoration, following a memorandum of understanding with Brigade Foundation. The revamped space seeks to transcend local boundaries, offering a comprehensive collection from the Ashoka era to the Vijayanagara period, highlighting Karnataka's rich historical legacy. The minister said, “We aim to renovate all the government museums within 2 years and give a new look to it.”

The art lovers in the City are waiting for this old charm to be restored so that the artists will have a new home to discuss everything about the art. The renovated museum will also offer a platform for an artists’ collective in Bengaluru to showcase their works with the concept of ‘pick whatever and pay whatever’. Mariam Gorege, an artist from the City who is constantly looking for spaces to put out artworks of her group, said: “We are excited at the renovation as it will offer us an opportunity to put up artworks of our generation along with the traditional ones in the gallery,” she said.

Department of Tourism has taken note of the substandard condition of the building and inadequate space in the museum. Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited (KTIL) has been entrusted with the responsibility of upgrading, conserving and curating the museum. Space constraints are a major concern at the gallery. Out of the 22 categories of objects in the museum, only eight had been showcased in the gallery. Around 50% of the artefacts had been relegated to storage due to unappealing display methods and inadequate security measures. 

Venkatappa Art Gallery was launched in 1975 and has been a venue for numerous group shows, Kala Melas, international art festivals, and public art presentations. —Salar News