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Craft Museum, New Delhi
The National Craft Museum within the Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi is the largest such museum in the country. Set up in the 1950s by Kamala Devi Chattopdhay it is a beautiful sample of indigenous architecture by Charles Correa.
It houses about 35,000 rare and one of a kind pieces of Indian craft reflecting the rich and continuing tradition of our craftsmen through painting, embroidery, textiles, clay craft, stone and wood. The exhibits are divided into galleries, Tribal and Rural Craft Gallery, Textile Gallery, Gallery of Popular Culture, Bhuta (Voodoo) Sculpture Gallery, Ritual Craft Gallery and the Courtly Craft Gallery.
Unfortunately being a Government body, often galleries are found closed on various excuses but the textile gallery is usually open and is feast for the eye! Perhaps the most spectacular section of the museum it has collections of traditional handloom textile from the main weaving centers of the country and is a mute witness of our rich handloom heritage, the sheer skill, dexterity and craftsmanship of our weavers. The collection includes, antique and rare textile pieces as well as one of a kind creation by master craftsmen.
The museum also has other interesting exhibits, a 300-year-old wood-carved Bhuta (Voodoo) sculpture from coastal Karnataka, rare bronze tribal figurines from Chhattisgarh, intricately carved wooden doorways, torans, jharokhas (window), balconies and beadwork wall hangings. It also has a large collection of huge Aiyanar terracotta figurines from Tamil Nadu. A section is devoted to simulation of typical houses from various Indian villages. An open courtyard in the middle is used for demo and sale by craftsmen.
To the left of the entrance is the museum shop, Lota; slightly steep on the pocket it has a nice collection of handicraft, textiles and books on Indian art and craft. The cafeteria besides it serves deliciously cooked pan Indian cuisine.
Time: July to September - 9:30 am to 5:00 pm/ October to June: till 6pm
Closed on Monday and national holidays.
National Handicraft & Handloom Museum
Bhairon Marg, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi 110001
Phone: 011 2337 1887
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