For the first time ever, the National Museum has organized an exhibition showcasing a private collection of works, which C L Bharany and his late father collected from across India. The exhibition, titled 'A Passionate Eye', was originally conceived as a 34-day show slated to conclude on August 14, but has been extended till September 10 in the wake of warm public reception.
The sculptures in stone, bronze, and wood, besides paintings (on paper and cloth), manuscripts and textiles across the past two millennia are on display on a specially designed gallery since July 11. The exhibition will be open on all days (10 am to 5 pm) except on Mondays and national holidays.
The exhibition, spread across 6,000 sq ft carpeted space, brings out select items from a donation of close to a thousand objects, which Bharany made to the museum in 1976 in memory of his father.
Through its design, the exhibition seeks to reflect variety and eclecticism. Objects are sometimes grouped by material and sometimes by subject matter or themes, to highlight the varied and layered links that inspire collecting.