Mumbai is a city where people meet creativity. It is undoubtedly one of the cities that inspires artists and their arts to flourish. The artistic creativity and the creations of these artists find a way through various exhibitions. And that is why you would get to know about so many exhibitions and art workshops happening in the city on a regular basis. And one such location that hosts some of the finest art exhibitions is the Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai. This is a heritage art gallery in the city that has hosted some of the most prestigious art exhibitions in the city.
So if you are a creative person who enjoys attending art exhibitions and workshops, visiting the Jehangir Art Gallery is a must. It would give you a vibe and ambiance that you would love. Many eminent artists and important personalities also visit here to attend different art exhibitions. Keep on reading this article as I will mention everything that you need to know about the Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai. This will indeed be a helpful read for you if you are planning a trip to this art gallery anytime soon.
Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai
Location: 161 B, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda Fort, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Location on Map
Timings: The Jehangir Art Gallery timings are from 11 am to 7 pm on all days of the week from Monday to Sunday
Jehangir Art Gallery entry fee: There is no Jehangir Art Gallery ticket price
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the Jehangir Art Gallery is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai. From there the distance of the art gallery is about 21.3 km and you can reach there in about an hour.
By train
While travelling in a train the nearest major railway station to reach the Art Gallery is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station. From the railway station Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai is located at a distance of 1.5 km. It would take you around 6 minutes to reach there from the railway station. Another major railway station to reach the art gallery is the Mumbai Central Railway Station. From there the Art gallery is about 5.9 km away. And it would take you around 20 minutes to reach the art gallery from the railway station.
In terms of local railway station the Churchgate railway station is the nearest station to the art gallery. The Churchgate station is 1.9 km away from the art gallery. You can reach there in about 7 minutes from the railway station.
By road
You can get public as well as private buses from all the major cities and towns to reach the gallery in Mumbai. The nearest bus stop is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Bus Stand located just outside the railway station. The Mumbai Central Bus Depot is another bus stand that is located nearby and you can opt for that as well to reach here. And for a convenient ride you can also take a bus or a taxi or drive through your own vehicle to reach the art gallery.
Best time to visit
You can visit the art gallery any time of the year. But according to the weather the ideal time to visit here would be from November to February and from July to March. Skip visiting here during the summer months as it can be too unbearable during that time. Furthermore you can visit here during the Kala Ghoda Festival which is a 9 day long festival. The festival takes place in the month of February and the whole ambiance of this location lits up during that time. With book launches, dance performances, musical shows, handicraft, the festival is indeed an enjoyable time to visit here. So do plan your trip to the Art Gallery accordingly.
Overview of Jehangir Art Gallery
For art lovers and creative heads the Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai is one of the most interesting locations to visit. It is basically a location for the art exhibitions in the city. This art gallery has been there for a really long time and is a prominent name in the evolution of contemporary Indian art. Located in the Kala Ghoda area, the art gallery is also popular as the art district of the city. This area also houses multiple art galleries and boutiques but among them the Jehangir Art Gallery is definitely one of the finest. From the time of its establishment from 1952 this is a popular spot for art lovers. Furthermore the Art Gallery has hosted multiple exhibitions for artists like photographers, painters, sculptures and more. Some of the major exhibitions here were to host the works of M. F Hussain and S. H Raza.
But it doesn’t just end here. The Art Gallery is also a popular choice for hosting various workshops as well. It also hosts different art programmes at the gallery. For artists and creative people visiting the art gallery is a must in the city. If you are a budding artist yourself then your creative juices will be tickled once you make a visit here. So keep an eye on the various events and exhibitions and plan a visit to this gallery once.
History of Jehangir Art Gallery
With the inception of Bombay Art Society in 1888 the contemporary art movement began in the city of Mumbai. One of the ardent supporters of this movement was Sir Cowasji Jehangir. Furthermore he also served as the President of the society for a really long time. Another ardent supporter and appreciator of art back then was Dr. Homi Bhabha. He was basically a nuclear scientist who also had interest in this field. Homi Bhaba therefore came along with Walter Langhammer and the Leyden Brothers to push Sir Cowasji in funding an art gallery. The main aim behind the creation of an art gallery was to give the artists a safe space to exhibit their creative creations.
The idea behind the establishment of the Art Gallery was to host art related exhibitions and activities in a way to also promote the development of art. On March 22nd, 1950 finally the then Chief Minister of Bombay, B. G Kher laid the foundation stone for the creation of this art gallery. Later in 1952 on the 21st of January the inauguration of the art gallery took place. And since then it has been one of the popular places for the artists to showcase their art.
Architecture of Jehangir Art Gallery
Durga Shankar Bajpai and G. M Bhuta laid the plans to build the Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai. The idea that they conceived for the creation was a mix of both contemporary as well as classic style. For the beautification you will spot the use of diffused lights here. Furthermore, there is a cantilevered portico here too. There is a structure which is column free span and that is one of the architectural marvels during those times of the construction.
However the construction of the art gallery has an architecture which is inward facing. The construction is easily accessible yet it is not exactly open to the street. The idea of architecture therefore also makes the spot very unique. There is about 550 feet of hanging wall space here which is another major attraction. And the place is tastefully made in such a way with acoustics and lighting that it will be a suitable place for concerts as well.
Things to do at Jehangir Art Gallery
The main activity that you can enjoy at an art gallery is of course going through the arts. There are in total 7 exhibition halls and at the same time multiple exhibitions take place here in 4 halls. So you can just take your time to observe the various art pieces here. Other than that there is the Auditorium Hall, Terrace Art Gallery and the Hirji Jehangir Gallery. Hundreds of shows and exhibitions are hosted here. The Jehangir Art Gallery has always been one of the most popular spaces for both budding artists as well as veterans. The Annual Monsoon Show is one of the popular exhibitions here that includes a bunch of emerging local artists.
However there are other things that you can enjoy here. Other than exhibitions you can check out the oldest antique dealer of India, Natesan’s. This is located in the basement of the Art Gallery. Also this is a place from where you can buy some antiques as well to take back home. There are multiple artefacts here that include sculptures of wood, bronze, stones etc.
There is a quaint café here as well known as the Samovar Café. This café has been a popular place for hangouts and meetups of various artists as well. However at present the café is closed though.
Wrapping Up!
So, for all the creative artists and creative people in the city of Mumbai visiting the Jehangir Art Gallery is an absolute must. This is one of the heritage art galleries and you would love the total ambiance and the vibe there. Let me know when you are planning a trip to this art gallery in Mumbai. Also do not forget to let me know if this article on Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
