Home of Folk Art

The whole concept of India and what it stands for is founded on the age old Indian culture and tradition. Today, India is making significant strides with regards to economic growth and is today considered as one of the fastest developing countries in the world. However, this development has not come at the cost of the vibrant and colorful Indian culture as the Indian Government and the Administration of the various States does everything in its power to preserve the traditions and cultural heritage of India. After, all it is this heritage that also attracts tourists from the various parts of India to its shores.

Each State in India is different with regards to its language, innate culture and tradition, and also its art forms. Moreover, all the States have their varied folk and tribal arts. In a world which is increasingly preferring modernity at the cost of its past, it's important that facets such as tribal and folk art are preserved.

The Museum

The Museum of Folk and Tribal Art is like an undiscovered jewel, in the cityscape of Gurgaon. It would be difficult to believe that amongst the huge buildings that one comes across in the Gurgaon that are earmarked to house offices or meant as residential complexes, there exists a museum that houses one of the most impressive collections of Indian folk and tribal arts that have been neglected. K.C Aryan, the noted sculptor, painter, historian and scholar, was the man who started this museum. This labor of love comes from a man who has written as many as 23 scholarly texts on a variety of subjects. Today, this priceless legacy is being lovingly nurtured by his children.

Museum Displays

The museum showcases a variety of hand crafted objects including those made from wood, stone, and iron. Moreover, also on display are various iron vessels, artifacts with religious overtones, terracotta art objects, intricately embroidered works, and murals from Himachal Pradesh. Other sterling pieces of folk and tribal arts that on display include 'kanthas' from Bengal, lithographs from Amritsar, shawls from the Swat valley, and also hangings from the State of Gujarat.

One of the more interesting displays in the museum of folk and Tribal Art is the 200 Shiva Heads from Karnataka. The collection also includes a variety of numerous life size 'mukhalingas'.

Location

Museum of Folk and Tribal Art is located in Gurgaon, in Sector 4, Urban Estate. The landmark is the Arya Samaj Mandir and it's situated opposite the Mandir.

Timings

The Museum of Folk and Tribal Art, Gurgaon is open on all days accept Government holidays. The summer timing is 10:00 A.M - 12:30 P.M and winter timings are 2:30 P.M - 5:30 P.M.

If you love Indian arts and crafts and more importantly are interested in catching a glimpse of the folk and tribal art that is all but extinct then you must definitely take some time out and visit the Museum of Folk and Tribal Arts in Gurgaon. This would definitely be a time well-spent.