Kolkata Art Galleries

(Kolkata / Calcutta, West Bengal, India)

Bengali art is an important part of life in Kolkata and can be found on display at many of the galleries across the city. These include both commercial art galleries and dedicated museums with permanent collections, such as the Birla Academy of Art and Culture on Southern Avenue and the Academy of Fine Arts on Cathedral Road.

Visitors to Kolkata who favour contemporary art should be sure to pencil in a trip to the Centre of International Modern Art Gallery on the Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, where many of the pieces on exhibit are for sale. However, you will likely need deep pockets if you are planning a purchase here. Finally, the university's Asutosh Museum of Indian Art deserves a mention.

Birla Academy of Art and Culture

Address: 109 Southern Avenue, Kolkata, India, IN
Tel: +91 033 2466 6802
Another popular cultural attraction funded by the wealthy Birla family, the renowned Birla Academy of Art and Culture functions as both an art museum and gallery. Step inside and you will discover a large collection of ancient pieces, a number of which date back to the 2nd century AD. There are also a variety paintings and sculptures created by modern-day Bengali artists, as well as some important manuscripts, statues, textiles and an especially notable limestone bust of Vishnu - the supreme god of Hinduism.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 16:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Centre of International Modern Art Gallery (CIMA)

Address: Sunny Towers, Third Floor, 43 Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Kolkata, India, IN
Tel: +91 033 2485 8509
Located close to the Birla Mandir temple, the innovative Centre of International Modern Art Gallery is perhaps the best venue in the entire city to appreciate modern Bengali art works. Regular seminars and workshops are staged here, while visitors may be interested to check out the gift shop.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday - 11:00 to 19:00, Monday - 15:00 to 19:00
Admission: free

Academy of Fine Arts

Address: 2 Cathedral Road, Kolkata, India, IN
Tel: +91 033 2223 4302
This museum is divided into two sections. The top level is a quaint museum with antique textiles and carpets, miniatures of Mughal monuments and a selection of paintings on display, including a number by acclaimed writer and artist, Rabindranath Tagore (1861 to 1941). Most will agree that the ground floor of the Academy of Fine Arts is far more interesting, boasting an impressive collection of work by local Bengali artists.
Open hours: daily - 15:00 to 20:00
Admission: free

Asutosh Museum of Indian Art

Address: 87/1 College Street, Centenary Building, MG Road area, Kolkata, India, IN
Tel: +91 033 2241 0071
On the University of Calcutta grounds and within the Centenary Building is the Asutosh Museum of Indian Art, a gallery which chooses to specialise in Bengali art works. Some of the sculptures and brass engravings on display are remarkable, while folk art and children's toys are exhibited on the upper level. The overall art collection is quite extensive and is amongst West Bengal's largest and most impressive.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 11:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge