Latest news with #VictoriaMemorialHall
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
3rd public display ever for rare Dali etchings at Victoria Memorial Hall
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolkata: The Victoria Memorial Hall has put on display two colour etchings of Salvador Dali, the only originals of the Spanish Catalan surrealist master that any museum or gallery in India possesses. The twin Dali works were among 83 original drawings, etchings, lithographs, and opaque watercolours that the New York-based Kolkata-born artist Bimal Banerjee had donated to VMH authorities in 1990. The etchings in colour are on copper plates, printed on Japanese rice paper, and signed by the artist in pencil. This is only the third time that they are being displayed in public. The two previous occasions were in 1993 and 2014. The exhibition is currently drawing art lovers and will be on till the end of July. "The two untitled colour etchings of the 'Macbeth Series' signed by Dali have been displayed in the central hall to celebrate the enduring legacy of museums and the genius of one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century," Victoria Memorial Hall secretary and curator-in-charge Anurag Kumar told TOI. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Apart from the Dali etchings, his donation to VMH included works by Italian artist Giorgio de Chirico, who founded the Scuola Metafisica Art Movement that profoundly influenced the surrealists; French artist Sonia Delaunay and her husband Robert Delaunay, who co-founded the Orphism Art Movement; French painter Georges Braque, known for inventing Cubism; and Swiss German painter Paul Klee, whose lectures and writings on colour theory and form and design theory published in English as the 'Paul Klee Notebooks' are considered as important for modern art as Leonardo da Vinci's 'A Treatise on Painting' for the Renaissance. Banerjee, an accomplished artist, told TOI in 2014 that Dali presented him with the etchings. He said he donated the works to VMH to ensure that budding artists could get a chance to view original masterpieces by modern European masters.
Business Standard
14-06-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Sundeep Bhutoria Nominated to the Board of Victoria Memorial Hall by Ministry of Culture
PNN Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 14: The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has nominated prominent Kolkata-based cultural personality, author and philanthropist, Sundeep Bhutoria, to the Board of Trustees of the Victoria Memorial Hall (VMH) for a three-year term. "Victoria Memorial Hall is embedded in Bengal's psyche as an icon of art, architecture, and culture. I am proud to associate with a glorious heritage symbol for Bengal and the nation - an enduring icon of art and architecture whose cultural initiatives I greatly admire. It is an honour to associate and contribute," said Mr Bhutoria whose deep roots in the cultural sector include current service on the Board of Trustees of the Indian Museum, Kolkata. Mr Bhutoria brings a formidable portfolio of cultural and philanthropic engagement: Fellow of London's Royal Society of Arts; member of Royal Overseas League London, India International Centre (IIC), India Habitat Centre (IHC) and Rajasthan International Centre and trustee of Education for All Trust. He is also a Member of the Expert Committee of the Cultural Function and Production Grant of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and a member of the Advisory Committee of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and a brand ambassador for the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC). Mr Bhutoria's global impact includes representing India at United Nations Associations (UNA) forums. He was instrumental in setting up The WFUNA Foundation - a global non-profit organization that promotes the principles and work of the United Nations. The WFUNA Foundation, launched in 2015 by the then Foreign Minister of India, Ms Sushma Swaraj, supports youth-led initiatives and works to advance the United Nation's mission in India. As Managing Trustee of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF), he actively promotes Indian art, literature, and culture across India, Europe, the USA, and West Asia and is also engaged in preserving folk art and culture of India. PKF is also engaged in various social welfare activities involving children, women and the elderly. Mr Bhutoria has also curated popular branded cultural events like An Author's Afternoon, Aakhar, Chaupal, Ek Mulakat, Kalam, Kitaab, Lafz, Tete-a-Tea, The Write Circle and The Universe Writes. All these events have created a series of social and cultural calendar bringing together litterateurs and literary groups spanning the country and beyond. Mr Bhutoria, who is also on the board of Petronet LNG Ltd, has also launched many CSR projects for corporates. He is actively involved with prestigious organizations like The Bengal - a Kolkata based NGO of prominent citizens; Pronam - a joint venture of The Bengal and Kolkata Police to support senior citizens of Kolkata. A prolific author and globetrotter, his works include - The Safari, China Diary, The Norway Diary, Global Desi, Calcuttascape, Aap Biti Jag Biti, The Bera Bond, Amar Kolkata and My Life My Travels.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- NDTV
Why The Victoria Memorial Still Rules Kolkata's Cultural Map
If you step back and think about Kolkata, chances are the first image that flashes is the Victoria Memorial - sitting tall in white marble, surrounded by manicured lawns and traffic that never stops honking. It is not just a monument; it is practically Kolkata's middle name. But this stunner is not all looks. It tells a story stitched with colonial history, architectural swagger, and the long road to independence. If you are someone who likes your history layered and in high definition, this is your kind of place. So, if Kolkata is on your list, do not treat the Victoria Memorial like just another photo-op. Here is why it deserves a proper stopover. A Quick Backstory That Sets It All Up The idea of the Victoria Memorial was floated in 1901 after Queen Victoria died. Lord Curzon pushed the plan forward, and what followed was one of India's grandest tributes to colonial memory. Construction took place between 1906 and 1921, and architect William Emerson gave it his all. The design is a wild mix - Mughal domes, British symmetry, Egyptian overtones, and a splash of Venetian and Deccani elements. The funding came through public donations from both the British and Indian communities, which says a lot about how it was received back then. The building was formally opened in December 1921 by the Prince of Wales. What Makes The Victoria Memorial A Must-Visit 1. That Architecture Hits Hard View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Memorial Hall (@vmhkolkata) It is not just a monument. It is a marble mic drop. The central dome is grand without being loud, the chhatris (domed pavilions) are beautifully symmetrical, and the white Makrana marble (yes, the same one used in the Taj Mahal) just glows in sunlight. The 'Angel of Victory' on top - balanced like a ballerina - adds flair while pointing to a not-so-subtle narrative of British triumph. Inside, the arches and design details reflect top-tier Indian craftsmanship. 2. A Museum That Actually Holds Your Attention View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Memorial Hall (@vmhkolkata) Step in and you will find 25 galleries that do not mess around. You will see everything from Queen Victoria's writing desk and piano to Company School paintings and handwritten historical documents. The curation is chronological, so you get a neat walkthrough of colonial events. It is a proper peek into what shaped modern Kolkata - and by extension, modern India. 3. The Gardens Are More Than Just Pretty Filler View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Memorial Hall (@vmhkolkata) Covering about 64 acres, the gardens around Victoria Memorial are beautifully laid out - courtesy of Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain. But they are not just for lounging or clicking selfies. Look closer, and you will see statues of historical figures like Charles Cornwallis, Lord Curzon, and Robert Clive scattered across the lawns. These sculptures double up as a mini crash course in colonial history. 4. Light-And-Sound Show That Hits Nostalgia And Nerve Every evening (except on Mondays and national holidays), the Memorial hosts a light and sound show called 'Kolkata, the City of Joy.' It runs in Hindi, Bengali, and English, and lasts about 40 to 45 minutes. It tells Kolkata's story with just enough drama to make you care, and just enough colour to keep your eyes glued. It is a solid pick for those who like their history told with flair and foot-tapping background music. 5. From British Showpiece To Indian Archive View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ministry of Culture (@ministryofculturegoi) This is the part that many people miss. The Memorial was originally funded by public donations—around ₹10.5 million. Post-independence, the space was repurposed. Statues once symbolising colonial might now sit quietly in the gardens, while the galleries have been reimagined to include Indian voices, leaders, and movements. It is not just about British India anymore; it is about how India reclaimed the narrative. What You Need To Know Before You Visit The Victoria Memorial 1. When Is The Best Time To Visit? Kolkata's winter months - November to February - are ideal. The weather is pleasant enough to stroll through the gardens and actually spend time reading those museum captions instead of just scanning them. 2. What Are The Entry Fees And Timings? The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. It is shut on Mondays and national holidays. • Gallery Fee: ₹20 for Indians, ₹100 for SAARC nationals, ₹500 for others. • Gardens: Open daily from 5:30 am to 6:00 pm. Entry fee is ₹10. Yearly passes cost ₹1000. 3. What Else Can You Visit Nearby? Once done, take a walk to St Paul's Cathedral, Fort William, the Indian Museum, or even the Birla Planetarium. They are all within shouting distance from Victoria Memorial and continue the cultural loop. 4. Are Guided Tours A Thing? Yes. Free guided tours run every hour from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday. They last about an hour and add context to what you see. The Victoria Memorial is not just a page out of a history book. It is the whole chapter. If you are in Kolkata and skip it, you are not doing the city right.
