National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore, Malleswaram

History

The gallery was being refurbished in 2006 to open as the third site of NGMA. This follows a prolonged period of development and controversy. The sprawling, 100 year old Manikyavelu Mansion once belonged to Vilum Manickavelu Mudaliar the, a Yuvaraja of Mysore. Mudalier was not born into aristocracy, but rather married into it. He became a successful business owner after leasing several manganese and chrome mines on lease. According to the documents in the NGMA archives, the building was bought by Mudalier early on in his career. The archivists at the NGMA are certain that Mudalier and his family lived in the mansion for quite some years. However, due to financial problems, the house was put on auction and was acquired by the City Improvement Trust, currently the BDA, and then transferred to the Housing Board in the 1960’s. In 2000, the Ministry of Kannada and culture sub-leased the mansion to the Ministry of Culture. It became the chosen location for the southern centre the NGMA. Restoration began in 2003, and opened on 18th February, 2009 under the curatorial ship of Sobha Nambisan.