The pandemic-infused restrictions has forced us to do things differently. If we focus on the positives, it has taught us the art of survival. In lockdown when people found themselves shut inside rooms and disconnected, a large chunk started looking for recreational options within the four walls. Many have found a way to get rid of boredom in the most educational way possible. When Google Arts and Culture collaborated with more than 2500 galleries and museums across the world to develop virtual tours, as well as online exhibitions, museum enthusiasts found their haven. India, which offers some of the finest cultural and architectural attractions in the world, is a part of the collaboration, and people can now visit some of the renowned and most celebrated museums through virtual tours.
Indian Museum – Kolkata
The screen grab of the Google Arts & Culture page
If you want to live through the exceptional collections of skeletons, mummies, fossils, antiques, Mughal paintings, you can take a virtual tour of Indian Museum, Kolkata. The museum is also called the Imperial Museum and is the oldest in India. Also, the 9th oldest museum in the world, Indian Museum – Kolkata was founded by Nathaniel Wallich, in 1814. Nathaniel was a Danish botanist. The collections are mind-blowing, and the fact that you can see some of the most ancient things is the reason enough to take a tour. Here is the link to virtually tour the museum
National Museum – Delhi
One of the oldest museums in the country, the National Museum was established in the year 1949. It boasts of more than 200,000 collection of artefacts, including those that belong to the ancient civilization of Harappa. They are neatly organised under departments such as Archaeology, Arms & Armor, Anthropology, Manuscripts, Paintings and Central Asian Antiquities. The museum is available for virtual tours and online exhibits. If you are interested in the Art of Calligraphy, this is the place for you. While the website has images of the galleries, you can take a 360-degree tour through the Google Arts & Culture page.
National Gallery of Modern Art – Delhi
The National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi is an art lover’s paradise. Established in the year 1954, you will find here a vast and impressive collection of paintings and sculptures. The repository here supposedly consists of more than 17,000 art, many of it dating from 1850. Additionally, there are 21 galleries that showcase different art forms. Popular in the list are Miniature Painting, Tanjore and Mysore Tradition, Rabindranath Tagore, and Modern Sculptures. Dive into the world of art through the link here.
Victoria Memorial Hall – Kolkata
The Victoria Memorial Hall is a British monument made of white marble dedicated to Queen Victoria. Opened to the public in 1921, the museum is one of the most visited in India and is located in the heart of Kolkata. Visitors here will find more than 28,000 artifacts, including sculptures, paintings and books. The museum boasts of 25 galleries, the highlight being the Royal Gallery that has paintings of the queen and Prince Albert. There are also artworks depicting events from the queen’s life. Not just paintings, you also have sketches, drawings, stamps, coins, medals, lithographs and personal relics. The memorial is surrounded by a beautiful garden spread over 64 acres. Take a virtual tour of the museum and experience the charm as if you were really there.
Salar Jung Museum- Hyderabad
One of the three national museums of India, Salar Jung Museum is located in Hyderabad. It was once the private art collection of Salar Jung, a noble Hyderabad family under the Nizams. The museum is home to some of the rarest art objects, paintings and manuscripts. You will also find collections from countries like Egypt, North America, Burma, Nepal, Japan, and China. The walls are carved out of white marble, and the overall ambience, created by antique windows and precious chandeliers, can mesmerise the viewer. Enjoy a virtual tour of the museum on the page here.
