SANSKRITI KENDRA MUSEUM

The Sanskriti Kendra Museum is situated at Aya Nagar on the Mehrauli and Gurgaon Road at Anandgram within the Sanskriti Kendra Complex which is also known as an Artist Village Complex spanning over a massive area of 8 acres. It lies about 10 km south of New Delhi mainly towards the outskirts of the City and is easily accessible by local Transport from any part of Delhi. This Kendra constitutes of the Museum of Indian Terracotta and Textiles established in 1984 and the Museum of Everyday Art which was established in 1990 by Mr. O.P. Jain along with Dr. A. M. Singhvi, L. M. Singhvi and Sudarshan Agarwal under the banner of the Sanskriti Kendra Museum.

The Foundation of ‘Sanskriti’ which literally means ‘the process of cultivating’ was established with the main purpose to preserve and develop the rich cultural resource of Indian Art forms. The Sanskriti Foundation was founded as a non-profit organisation in 1979 and also set up the aforementioned Museums of Tribal Arts and Crafts that strives to continuously preserve, propagate and collect all Indian rare and unique masterpieces of craftsmanship and Native Heritage of Cultural Excellence and along with this also to create a universal awareness amongst people from all walks of life about the wealth of Indian Arts and Crafts.

Indian Terracotta is probably known as the first ever creative art of Indian Civilisation. The expressions are seen in earthen pots and massive figures depicting Tamil Nadu’s Rural Deities belonging to the ‘Aiyyanar’ Cult which are a definite delight to watch. The Art of Terracotta dates back to ancient period of over 5,000 years seen in Villages at every corner of the country. Villagers used their inherent Skills to create incredible figures and craft work depicting the various traditions and culture of India and this is probably one of the only art form that enjoys the freedom of concept, expression and imagination.

The Sanskriti Museum of Indian Terracotta strives to keep this ancient Art alive and hence displays over 1,500 exquisite forms of shapes and figurines moulded by experienced craftsmen belonging to the respective region of India seen installed in a special Gallery. The Sanskriti Foundation also invites master craftsmen from across the country to create ancient and traditional Terracotta masterpieces and exhibit them via this forum. These artists live within the residential lodges of this complex for a long period of time where they continuously work to preserve the fading traditional art work of Indian Terracotta which seems to be getting extinct in time.

The Sanskriti Museum of Textile depicts the true colours of a wealthy Indian Textile Heritage. In Ancient times, people used the art of textile to showcase and express their values and traditional attributes and since then even after centuries and decades; the Textile Museum strives to preserve this lost art form seen displayed in this museum dating since the 19th Century AD onwards. The Museum might showcase a small collection but it is definitely rich in every aspect of a traditional Indian Textile art work that includes exquisite embroidery work, Brocade, Bandhani, Kalamkari, Gota, Patolu, fine needle work and many other unique and typical Indian form of Art.

The Sanskriti Museum of Everyday Art showcase all objects related to the everyday life of a traditional Indian Family. It displays the customs, manners, beliefs and traditional practises of both the rural and urban lifestyles of India. These objects that depicts the creative potential and imagination of the skilled craftsmen of India are seen displayed in this Museum that assist in advertising and spreading the cultural attributes of a typical Indian Life on a daily basis beginning from the person’s Childhood days up till the old age. The Objects covered are artefacts used by children in their daily lives like the writing material and books followed by objects used during adulthood like Hukkahs, Chillums, Betel Nut Boxes, Nutcrackers, Kitchen accessories, Household accessories, locks, latches, women’s beauty items and many more and finally the last phase of life depicting objects used during old age when people show inclination towards spiritual interests and hence usage of incense sticks, lamps, burners, Religious and Ritual Accessories and Shrines are also displayed widely in this Museum.

The Complex of the Sanskriti Kendra Museum of Everyday Art, Indian Terracotta and Textiles is seen with an established conservation laboratory that continuously restores and renovate any fading and ancient Textiles and Art Work. The Conservation Lab organises a special event to showcase all visitors about the entire process of placing, washing, cleaning, mending and lining the art forms and hence preserves these objects from further damage. Various workshops are being frequently organised by the Kendra Museum for all Students, Artists, Scholars and Craftsmen who visit this complex to showcase, exchange and share their inherent skills and techniques with each other. Residential Studios, Library and Amphitheatre are also other facilities available within this Complex. The Complex is opened to all between 1000 hours and 1700 hours from Tuesdays to Sundays as it remains closed on all Mondays and Gazetted National Holidays with no entry fee; however, photography is prohibited and allowed only after prior permission is obtained.