DAG, formerly known as Delhi Art Gallery, is set to open India’s first private single-artist museum in Kolkata in April 2022, after acquiring the 75-year-old house of iconic Indian artist Jamini Roy. The art museum will be equipped with galleries, community spaces like a resource center and library, a museum shop, and a café, all spread across the 7,000 sq. ft. built-up area of Roy’s Kolkata home in Ballygunge Place.
Roy was a celebrated artist of the 20th century and played a crucial role in the Indian modern art movement. He was known for his artistic style that drew inspiration from folk art, including Kalighat paintings, which emerged in the 19th century in Kolkata. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1954.
The acquisition of the Jamini Roy house and the opening of the museum will be a significant milestone for DAG, which has been more than a gallery for almost three decades. DAG is renowned for its extensive collection of pre-modern and modern Indian art and has had several unusual collaborations, including with the Archaeological Survey of India and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
According to Ashish Anand, CEO and managing director of DAG, the acquisition of the Jamini Roy house is “the single most important project undertaken by DAG.” The museum will not only serve as a tribute to Roy but also help make Indian art more accessible to people. It will provide a platform for artists, scholars, and art enthusiasts to engage with Roy’s work and the artistic traditions he was inspired by.
In addition, DAG’s in-house publishing team has made modern Indian art accessible to a wider audience. Earlier this year, at the launch of DAG’s new address in Janpath, the opening show included a set of art books featuring essays by historians and critics from around the world, printed in six colors over seven months.
The acquisition of the Jamini Roy house and the opening of the museum will be a significant development for the Indian art scene, providing an opportunity for art lovers and enthusiasts to engage with the legacy of one of India’s most iconic artists.
