Step into a new, expanded National Gallery of Modern Art soon

When the three new wings of the museum open at Jaipur House, says its director Rajeev Lochan, it may not be possible to see the enormous art collection on display in a day. “The new area will be 24,700 square metres, six times the current size. This will make is a truly world-class museum,” he says.

Construction workers on the site are busy scrubbing the granite floors and giving finishing touches to the new interiors. According to architect A R Ramanathan, the project has been completed within a budget of Rs 70-72 crore, and is designed to accommodate artwork beyond the demarcated gallery area.

The red sandstone building does not replicate the old Jaipur House, but is built in a manner to complement it. “The additional blocks have been built with modern parameters, but Jaipur House was kept in mind. We kept the height lower than the old structure to respect the heritage building,” says Ramanathan.

While an additional parking space has been provided within the NGMA premises, the garden area, too, has been designed to showcase artwork. Two of the three new blocks will have four levels each as exhibition area. Disabled-friendly aisles are in place, electric circuits have been provided in corners and touchscreens near the entrance will give detailed information regarding the programme schedule.

The third block will comprise amid other things a larger library, preview theatre, conservation laboratories, cafeteria and an over 200-seat auditorium. “There is an option to keep the auditorium open beyond the regular museum hours,” says Ramanathan.

Officials have started working fixing a date for completion and inauguration of the extended area. Lochan is interviewing candidates to be appointed as additional museum staff. He has also conceptualised additional art memorabilia — from new mugs to publications — for the new museum shop. The inaugural programme will include an exhibition from the museum collection, a Tyeb Mehta retrospective and an exhibition of Nandalal Bose’s work that has returned after travelling to the San Diego Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

There are also plans to undertake conservation of the Jaipur House — residence of the erstwhile Maharaja of Jaipur — that was converted into the NGMA in 1954. “The building requires conservation. That will happen once the new wing is ready,” says Ranjan.