Museums in Calcutta

Ananda Niketan Kirtisala(Howrah) : The Anand Niketan Kirtisala Museum displays objects of art, archaeology and folk crafts of Bengal, including early and mediaeval terracottas, coins, stones, sculptures and over one hundred valuable Sanskrit and Bengali manuscripts.

Central Museum : A variety of sculptures from Pala and Sena periods with us distinctive blend of Hindu and and buddhist styles, as also sculpted clay panels from temples of the Vishnupur region. There are also interesting collections of patachitras, or painted scrolls from Bengal, playing cards, palm leaf manuscripts, ritual objects, toys and dolls. The textiles include embroidered Kanthas, the patchwork and quilting textile technique, and saris from Baluchar with their quaint figurative designs.

Victoria Memorial Museum : The impressive Victoria Memorial houses a collection of the British colonial period. Visitors are greeted by a life-size statue of young Victoria (By Sir Thomas Brock). There are enormous oil paintings in the Royal Gallery, illustrating episodes from queen Victoria's long, eventful life and reign and a large painting titled "The Entry of King Edward VII into Jaipur in 1876"(by a Russian artist). Also on display are books on the 'Raj', sculptures of Clive and other Governor Generals and a superb collection of paintings.

Agri - Horticulture Society Of India (Garden & Green House) : The Museum in its present site came up in 1961. Situated within a garden it has a rich collection of folk art and crafts of Bengal including paintings, embroidered quilts, dolls and toys, wood crafts, temple terracottas and other clay objects, stone sculptures, basketry and work in shola-pith and ritual potteries.

Bangiya Sahita Parishad Chitrasala : Bangiya Sahita Parishad Chitrasala was established 1910. Collections include valuable mediaeval stone and metal sculptures, manuscripts, letters of famous Bengali author, art and archaeology objects depicting the history and culture of Bengal.

Birla Academy Of Art and Culture Museum : Birla Academy of Art and Culture Museum was established in 1966. Collections include paintings of the mediaeval period as well as modern art and some archaeological specimens. The Museum holds regular exhibitions of modern Indian sculptors and painters.

Birla Industrial and Technological Museum : Birla Industrial and Technological Museum was established in 1956 It was built by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; deals with basic science and technology: has large number of exhibits, designed, prepared and fabricated at its own workshop. Galleries cover models showing Electricity, Nuclear Physics, Iron and Steel, Optics, Motive Power, Communication and Mining. The Optics Gallery has since been converted into a Popular Science Gallery. Popular activities of the Museum include films shows, demonstration-lectures, hobby activities, periodical programs of sky-observation through telescopes. Runs several mobile units for the rural areas. Regional Science Museums at Malda and Purulia operate under this body.

Crafts Museum : Crafts Museum was established in 1950.(Formerly of the Indian Institute of Art in Industry). Collections include rural arts and crafts of different regions of India including ivories, metal objects and textiles from West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Maharashtra, U.P, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and TamilNadu. Maintains a good library and photographic records.

Ethnographic Museum : Ethnographic Museum was established in 1955 It was built by the Cultural Research Institute, Govt. of West Bengal. Objects on view include hunting tools and equipment, fishing gears, dresses and ornaments, utensils, furniture, spinning and weaving aids and also objects relating to art, religion and 'magic'. Stores photograph and tape-records of folk music depicting life-style of the tribes of this state.

Government Industrial and Commercial Museum : Government Industrial and Commercial Museum was established in 1939. Collections include handicrafts, cottage and small-scale industry products of West Bengal. Distributed over eight sections covering textiles, dolls and toys, handicrafts, commercial products, models and statistical charts. Runs a library and a free reading room. Activities include exhibitions guide-lecture services and symposia.

Industrial Safety, Health and Welfare Museum : This Museum is run by the Regional Labor Institute, Ministry of Labor and Employment, Govt. of India. Exhibits depict industrial safety devices, different classes of health hazards and remedial measures, accident prevention method including occupational health. Organizes safety training programs for workers.

Institute of Port Management Museum : Collects and displays different aspects with special reference to the problems of Kolkata Port Trust and the Hooghly river channel. Displays models of dredgers, lock-gate systems, berths and modern docking facilities.

Jute Museum, Jute Technological Research Laboratories, I. C. A. R. : Jute Museum, Jute Technological Research Laboratories, I. C. A. R. was established :1936. A Departmental Museum under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research; displays various facets of the jute and allied fabrics, charts showing chemical properties , structure and machining of the fibre, also decorative, industrial and household products derived from jute. Popular with research workers, technologists, foreign traders and tourists interested in information about jute and jute fabrics.

Municipal Museum : Municipal Museum was established in 1932. Run by the Corporation of Kolkota. It has got some displays on public and civil health and indigenous products.

Netaji Museum : Netaji Museum was established 1961. Collections kept in the ancestral house of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose include personal effects, photographs, letters of Netaji and other documents. The Bureau also sells books written on Netaji. Has a good collection of photographs and documents on India's struggle for freedom.

Nehru Children's Museum : Nehru Children's Museum was established in 1972. Collections include puppets depicting the Ramayana and the Mahabharata dolls wearing national costumes from different countries. Miniature working models of railway crossings and other novelties and an elementary science gallery.

Rabindra Bharati Museum : Rabindra Bharati Museum was established in 1961. Located in the ancestral house of Rabindranath Tagore and attached to the Rabinda-Bharati University. Depicts the Renaissance Movement of Bengal in the 19th Century and the role of the members of Tagore family therein. A major section deals with the life and works of the poet. Has a rich collection of books, original paintings, mauscripts, photographs and other items related to the leading personalities of the 19th century such as Iswar Chanda Vidyasagar and Dwarkanath Tagore. Sells nicely printed sets of cards.