VICTORIA MEMORIAL HALL
Citizens Charter
VICTORIA MEMORIAL HALL
1, QUEEN’S WAY, KOLKATA-71
HISTORY
- Conceived by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of British India, on the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.
- Expected to be a living institution in memory of the Queen with particular emphasis on Indo-British history.
- Raised on a land measuring 57 acres
- Contributions were obtained from the Indian Princes and people totalling more than Rs. 80 lakhs in those days.
- The foundation stone was laid by the then Prince of Wales, later King George V, on January 4, 1906.
- Formally opened to the public in 1921.
GOVERNANCE
- An autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India
- Victoria Memorial is governed by:
- Victoria Memorial Act, 1903 (as amended from time to time)
- Victoria Memorial Rules, 1973
- Victoria Memorial Service Regulations, 1987
- The Board of Trustees are empowered to acquire and hold property, to enter into contracts and to do all that is necessary for and consistent with the purpose of the Act
- The Secretary & Curator is the chief executive of Victoria Memorial Hall.
OUR VISION
To be the premier period museum in the world on Indo-British history in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries
OUR MISSION
The mission of the VMH is to function as the premier art gallery, museum, research library on art history and museum studies, and cultural space in the city of Kolkata.
In order to pursue this mission, it collects, conserves and disseminates knowledge among the general public about art objects, historical relics, and documents relating mainly to Indian history in the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
In addition to the exhibits on permanent display, the VMH also organizes regular special exhibitions, lectures, publications, cultural programmes and interactive educational activities – both on-site and in different parts of India and abroad – in its four focal areas of activity, namely, art, culture, heritage and the environment.
The VMH promotes research through its research fellowships and library resources, and networks extensively with other museums, historical societies and academia.
It seeks to promote positive social change through its outreach activities with non-museum organizations and community groups.
It always strives to be – and is recognized by the wider community – as a museum without walls.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
- Museum:
A period museum focusing on Indo-British history.
Collection of 29220 objects, including oil paintings, watercolours, sketches, lithographs, photographs, rare books and manuscripts, stamps and postal stationery, coins and medals, arms and armour, sculptures, costumes, personal relics, etc.
Many of them are displayed in the existing galleries. Temporary exhibitions are held throughout the year.
VMH Recently acquired 5,000 paintings of the Bengal School of Art on an enduring loan from Rabindra Bharati Society
By far the most-visited government museum in India, and one of the most-visited museums in the world (more than 35 lakh visitors in the year 2023-24).
- As Education Centre
Organizes Lectures/Seminars/Workshops on Art, Culture, History, and Heritage regularly.
Celebrates important national/international days by organizing various programmes.
The library has 15,702 books as of 2023-24 including rare ones. Leading library of art history and museology in Bengal.
Organizes programmes for the involvement of visitors, especially students, in museum activities.
Light & Sound show ‘Kolkata – The City of Joy’ on the history of Kolkata.
- Art Preservation Centre
VMH has a full-fledged Restoration/ Conservation Unit.
Also provides technical support to other institutions in conservation/restoration.
Has provided technical assistance to museums in the North Eastern States in the recent past.
Organizes training /workshops for both in-house staff and other museum professionals regularly.
- Entertainment Centre
VMH with its vast and picturesque garden, together with pathways and water bodies, is a huge attraction for people.
The iconic building built in Italian Renaissance style with oriental influences is also a big draw.
Gardens alone are annually visited by very large crowds.
OUR CLIENTS
- Visitors
- Students
- Morning and Evening Walkers
- Research Scholars
- Many eminent persons in various Cultural fields e.g. Films, Arts, Paintings etc.
- Foreigners
EXPECTATION FROM CITIZENS
We expect the citizens of India to give their feedback after observing the exhibited art objects and artefacts in different galleries of VMH and also to give suggestions for improvement of the existing system of exhibition & preservation of the Art & Artefacts.
SALES –
Prints
- India as seen by Simpson (set of 5 prints)
- India in the Eyes of the Daniells (set of prints)
- Select Views of India (set of 5 prints)
- Charles D’Oyly’s Calcutta – Album one (set of 4 prints)
- Charles D’Oyly’s Calcutta – Album two (set of 4 prints)
Publications - Modern Masters
- Catalogue of the exhibition on Mother Teresa
- Charles D’Oyly’s Calcutta, Early Nineteenth Century
- Catalogue of exhibition: Gaganendranath Tagore – A Retrospective
- Catalogue of exhibition: Krishna- Iconographic Representations
- 19th Century Swadeshi Art in Bengal, Woodcuts, Woodblocks and Lithographs
- Those Noble Edifices: The Raj Bhavans of Bengal
Souvenir Items - 5 different coffee mugs with motifs from the Victoria Memorial collection
- 2 sets of picture postcards with paintings of Jamini Roy
- A set of 10 picture postcards on Mughal Miniatures
- A set of 10 postcards – Krishna Chronographic Representations
- Jute Bag
- Juco Bag
- Canvas cloth bag
- Picture folder: Three Sikh Gurus
FOR MORE DETAILS
Please contact the Secretary and Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata.
Phone No.: 033- 22235142 / 22231889
E-mail: [email protected]
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