Origins and History of the Gallery
The Sree Chitra Art Gallery opened in 1935. It was inaugurated by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the last ruler of Travancore. This institution is situated within the grounds of the Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It forms a part of the Suryakanthi Exhibition Ground heritage complex.
The gallery's establishment reflects the historical patronage of the Travancore royal family. Its location within the larger museum precinct allows it to function as a dedicated space for the preservation of significant regional and international works. The site remains a central point for the study of diverse artistic traditions in Kerala.
The Diverse Art Collections
The gallery houses approximately 1,100 paintings, many of which originate from the Travancore royal collection. These works represent a wide range of regional and international traditions. The collection includes Mughal, Rajput, Bengal, Rajasthani, and Tanjore styles. Among these are 400-year-old Tanjore miniature paintings and mural reproductions from Ajanta and Bagh.
The holdings extend into Oriental art, featuring works from China, Japan, Bali, and Tibet. These include various miniature paintings from those regions. The collection also incorporates modern and transitional Indian art, with works by Nicholas Roerich, Jamini Roy, and Rabindranath Tagore.
Masterpieces of the Collection
The gallery holds a significant assembly of works by Raja Ravi Varma. Among these are Shakuntala and Damayanti Talking to a Swan. These paintings represent a central part of the institution's holdings. The collection also includes Maharani Lakshmi Bayi, dated about 1883, alongside Charity and The Milkmaid.
These works by Raja Ravi Varma are held within the permanent collection. The presence of such specific subjects, from mythological figures to portraits, defines the character of the gallery's holdings. Each piece is maintained as part of the established inventory of the Sree Chitra Art Gallery.
