Founded By KC Aryan, The Museum Of Folk & Tribal Art Is A Hub For All Things Artsy In Delhi

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance” - Aristotle. You cannot help but quote his words, for the beauty of these lines hits you like a ton of bricks. Perhaps people who admire art would know why. Known for its unique collections of Indian folk and tribal art objects, the Museum of Folk and Tribal Art is the one and only museum in the country that displays a wide variety of wonderful, priceless, but unfortunately neglected art objects. 

The Man Himself

The museum was founded by the late KC Aryan, a man with many talents - a renowned painter, sculptor, art historian, a collector of art objects and a writer. Sensing the lack of importance these art objects were reduced to in the last few years, this man went all the way to preserve them by investing all his life-long savings on these beautiful art objects and by writing about them.

He wrote 23 scholarly books with the sole aim of reviving the lost art forms and what he has left behind is this beautiful museum, which is no less than any treasure-house for the lovers of artifacts with various types of wood objects, masks, iron and bronze vessels, kantha embroidery from Bengal, shawls from Swat Valley, hangings from Gujarat and lithographs from Amritsar among other things, as a part of the collection.

The Display

The museum is popular among the folk and tribal-art lovers for its display of the entire range of collection of ancient, contemporary, traditional art and culture and several handicrafts made from wood, stone and iron. The folk and tribal jewellery worn by the Himachalis and tribal women are on display along with ornaments that were worn by animals. Clay pottery and stone carvings also make up the priceless collection here.

One of the central attractions of the museum is the 200 Shiva heads from Karnataka and over 200 mukhlingas (phallic covers) of the Hanuman bronze icons. For its wide variety of traditional antiques and masterpieces from India, it’s a place of intrigue and interest for both Indians as well as foreign visitors.

Good To Have Info

Located in Urban State, Sector 4, Gurgaon, the museum is open on all days, except on government holidays. It’s open from 10 AM -12:30 PM in summers and from 2:30 - 5:30 PM in winters and the entry is free of cost. The best way to reach here is to hire a taxi/cab, though private and HSRTC buses are also available. 

A visual treat and relief, for those wanting to take a break from a life which is surrounded by malls and brands awaits you here!

Location | The Museum of Folk And Tribal Art - Sector 4, Urban Estate, Gurgaon