National Art Gallery Chennai Entry Fee
- 15 per person for Adults
- 10 per person for Children
National Art Gallery Chennai Phone
044 2819 3238
Rating: 
| 4/5 stars
Based on total 53 reviews
National Art Gallery Chennai Address: Government museum, Pantheon Rd, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600008, India
National Art Gallery Chennai Tour Packages
National Art Gallery Chennai Timings
| Day | Timing |
|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Wedesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Friday | Closed / Holiday |
| Saturday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
Note: National Art Gallery Chennai is Closed on Fridays & National Holidays
Links: Website | MapThe National Art Gallery at the Government Museum Complex is one of the prominent heritage buildings in Chennai and one of the latest additions to the art galleries of the country.
This massive sandstone building was built by the British in 1906 and was opened to the public after an extensive restoration in January 2021. If you are in the neighbourhood, this colonial and Indo-Saracenic style building is difficult to miss.
National Gallery of Art is a must visit not only for the remarkable collection of art but for its magnificent architectural beauty as well.
History and architecture of National Art Gallery Chennai
The National Art Gallery was built during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria and was named Victoria Memory Hall then. Designed by architect Henry Irwin, the National Art Gallery was built out of sandstone in the Indo-Saracenic style. It has been identified as a heritage site by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
The Gallery was closed in 2002 for the general public, owing to several building flaws and structural instability and later restored after extensive renovations under the leadership of the then Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa. The restoration cost around ₹ 110 million.
Location of National Art Gallery Chennai
The National Art Gallery is situated in Egmore, Chennai. It is located in the Government Museum Complex on Pantheon Road, Egmore, which also houses the Government Museum and the Connemara Public Library.
Image Gallery of National Art Gallery Chennai
Tour through National Art Gallery Chennai
The Ground floor is an elucidation on the progress of Industries and Handicrafts in Tamilnadu from the remote prehistoric past to the present period.
On the first floor, the collection includes traditional and modern paintings from various schools of art. The traditional paintings section showcases Mughal Miniature Paintings (late 17th to 18th century), Rajput paintings, Kangra Paintings, Tanjore paintings (19th century AD) and paintings by the South Indian School of Arts.
Another section exhibits the Contemporary Art Section where paintings by the eminent artists of India have been displayed including modern works of D.P Roy Chowdhury, K.C.S. Panicker, Nandlal Bose, Jamini Roy, Adhimoolam, Vaidhyanathan among others.
An exclusive section has been devoted to Raja Ravi Verma who is known as the harbinger of modern art in India. His paintings, which are considered as National Treasures have been placed in a gallery with fibre optic lighting.
The same floor houses modern sculptures by exemplary artists like D.P Roy Chowdhury, S. Dhanpal to name a few.
Further a flight of steps takes you to the second floor which houses the Rock and Cave Art Gallery simulating the natural environment of caves using the latest technology. Visitors are taken on a half an hour journey through some of the rock art sites like Perumukkal, Alambadi, Keezhvalai, Vellarikombai and Iduhatti.
Other highlights of the gallery are periodic books and manuscripts, ancient handicrafts and historical artefacts. One can appreciate Glass Paintings, Deccani Paintings and Leather paintings as well.
Activities at National Art Gallery Chennai
In addition to being a repository of the country’s cultural spirit with a permanent display of paintings and sculptures, National Art Gallery emphasises on conducting educational programmes for all age groups. To list a few:
- Students from various genres are encouraged to take up projects on art and architecture under guidance of skilled mentors.
- Students and researchers can refer to the vast collection of art at Visual Storage Facility.
- Few selected artworks can be borrowed from the gallery for exhibitions at various institutions.
- Talks by eminent speakers in the field of art.
- Organising special exhibitions and training programmes for the students.
National Art Gallery Timings and Entry Fee
National Art Gallery is open to visitors on all days of the week from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm except on Fridays.
The entry fee charged for the Indian nationals is Rs 15 for adults and Rs 10 for the kids.
Best Time to Visit National Art Gallery Chennai
Chennai features a tropical dry and wet climate. Owing to which, the weather is almost hot and humid for the most part of the year. The most favorable time to visit the National Art Gallery is from November to February when the temperature is in moderate range.
How to reach National Art Gallery
Located on Pantheon Road, National Art Gallery is easily accessible from all parts of Chennai. One can reach the gallery by taking a private taxi from top car rental companies in Chennai, state roadways buses or an auto rickshaw. The nearest metro station is Chennai Central which is approximately 2 kms from the gallery. The closest airport is the Chennai International Airport which is around 18 kms.
Visitor Tips
- Follow all the rules and maintain the decorum of the place.
- Do not touch the paintings and artwork at display.
- Defacing, marking, or stealing any of the artifacts is a punishable offence.
National Art Gallery houses paintings and artwork from the late 17th century to present times, here one can admire the splendid artistry of the foregone era. If you are a history lover or an avid traveller, this treasure trove of historic art is a must visit! One must check out the Government Museum too on the trip to the National Art Gallery.
Chennai has a lot to offer for every kind of traveller. Book a Chennai tour package with us and let us help you plan your tour as per your liking. At Chennai Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, we offer all inclusive packages and customised packages as well. We help you explore the popular sightseeing places of Chennai and make some sweet memories with your loved ones. Please fill the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
