History Of The Jehangir Art Gallery In 1 Minute

Lodged in the historic Kala Ghoda neighborhood of South Mumbai is the Jehangir Art Gallery, one of Mumbai’s premier and oldest art institutions. The landmark gallery has hosted exhibitions by India’s leading artists, and has continually served as a prestigious platform for budding students since its establishment in 1952.
The Jehangir Art Gallery was founded with donations given by Sir Cowasji Jehangir, 2nd Baronet, at a time when Mumbai had few institutions to promote its indigenous artists. The gallery, named after Sir Coswaji’s late son, Jehangir, became a regular haunt of many aspiring and struggling artists soon after its inauguration in 1952 by then-Chief Minister, Mr. B.G. Kher. Frequenters of the gallery included the likes of M.F. Husain and S.H. Raza – artists who spearheaded India’s contemporary arts movement.

Jehangir’s establishment in Kala Ghoda contributed to the neighborhood’s evolution as a center for arts and culture. With the National Gallery of Modern Arts, The Arts Trust, numerous art galleries, pavement art stalls, designer boutiques and cafés playing second home to artists from the city, Kala Ghoda is dubbed the ‘art district’ of Mumbai today. It is also home to the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, one of Mumbai’s liveliest arts and culture festivals.

Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai’s ‘Art District’

Today, the gallery includes four primary halls equipped to exhibit different mediums of visual arts – an Auditorium hall, an Exhibition Gallery, the Hirji Jehangir Gallery and the Terrace Art Gallery for Photography and Visual Art. The Gallery hosts over 300 shows a year, and even sponsors an annual exhibition called the Monsoon Art Show to showcase work of emerging local artists. Exhibition slots at the gallery are extremely competitive, with artists being required to apply at least a year in advance.

Over the years, the gallery has hosted exhibitions by India’s most influential artists, including A. Ramachandran, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, M.F. Husain, Anjolie Ela Menon, S.K. Bakre, S.H. Raza, K.G. Subramanyan and K.K. Hebbar. Just as the gallery served as a platform to inspire and support many of these artists, the Jehangir Art Gallery still remains at the forefront of institutions that promote local artists and students. Still a regular haunt of art students and budding artists, the gallery’s surrounding pavements – where artists from around the country display their work – are testament to the importance of the place in India’s arts scene.

📅 Monday to Sunday 11AM to 7PM

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.