New Delhi is the home of the contemporary art. In the last few years, art galleries, art events, exhibitions have increased the interest of people in the Indian art market. The Dhoomimal Art gallery is one of the oldest and well known art galleries in Delhi. It is situated in Connaught Place, New Delhi in 5000 sq. ft. Area. The Dhoomimal Art gallery comprises of Art Museum, Ravi Jain Center for International Arts and Sculpture Court, and also gallery’s own art museum. This art gallery gives opportunity to the artists to showcase their wonderful art. This gallery promotes Indian art. This art gallery played a major role in the cultural life of India.

History

Dhoomimal Art Gallery is India’s first private gallery. Ram Babu is the owner of the Dhoomimal Art Gallery. In 1940’s, it was a stationary shop for artists. When the artists could not pay, then Ram Babu put up their paintings  for sale. It became a gallery by default. In 1946, he started organizing group shows of artists in the Dhoomimal Art Gallery, which included artists like Sailoz Mookherjea, Bimal Das Gupta, K. S. Kulkarni, Shanti dev, and others. In those days, it was a meeting place for artists. Ram Babu took great efforts to enrich the cultural life of Delhi. In early  50’s, a full scale exhibition of artist Jamini Roy was organized in this gallery. Later on, many artists joined the Dhoomimal Art Gallery. Manohar Kaul’s book on Contemporary Indian Art was published by the gallery in 50’s. In 60’s and 70’s, Bimal Das Gupta and Shanti Devi patronized the Dhoomimal art gallery. Later on, Prime ministers, Presidents and members of parliaments of the many countries visited the gallery.

Artists like Jamini Roy, Salio Mookherjea A.R. Chughtal, Sushil Sarkar and many more received recognition of Delhi, only because of the Dhoomimal Art Gallery. Over the years, the Dhoomimal Art Gallery has achieved a great identity, mainly because of the Ram Babu’s pioneering efforts. This art gallery organizes conferences and lectures on modern art. It organizes events and exhibitions. Dhoomimal Art Gallery played a major role in the development of art in the nation.

Aims and Objectives

The Dhoomimla Art gallery plays a major role in encouraging all types of artists, including established and new artists, artists of traditional styles, artists of innovations, artists from East, West, South and North.

The principal aims and objectives of the Dhoomimla Art Gallery-

• To organize conferences, lectures, seminars to encourage up-coming artists.
• To organize special exhibitions in abroad.
• To enrich the cultural life of the nation.
• To increase the global interest in Indian art market.
• To promote and support new talents through scholarships.

Collections

The collection includes paintings, graphics, sculptures of well known artists like Shanti Dev, Bimal Das Gupta, Jamini Roy. Work by contemporary painters like Biswanath Mukherjee and Barada Ukil are also on display.

Location & Timing

Except Sunday, Dhoomimal Art gallery remains open daily from 10.30 AM to 7.00 PM. Visit duration is 1 to 2 hours.

How to Reach

The Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest airport to the Dhoomimal Art Gallery, which is 13 km away. New Delhi train station junction is the nearest railway station to Dhoomimal Art Gallery, which is 3 km away. Tourists can take the metro rail to reach the art gallery. The Rajiv Chowk metro station is the nearest one.