Known for a long time as the `Pensioner`s Paradise`, Bangalore is a technological hub. Presently known as the `Silicon Valley of India`, Bangalore is also rich in its cultural history and ancient account.
Being such an important place, Bangalore is also known for the Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery. It was established in the year 1865, as a multipurpose museum. It is accepted that the museum has two parts, one, dealing with the ancient objects and the other dealing with the section of Art.
The antiquities of Mohenjodaro, Brahmagiri, Chandravalli, T. Narasipur, terracotta from West Bengal, sculptures of Hoysala, Chola, Chalukya, Pala and sculptures from Sannatti and ivory and ivory inlay are exhibited in the museum.
The Art Gallery, on the other hand exhibits about 600 paintings, of K. Venkatappa, M.F. Hussain, Vasudev, Hanumaiah, Hariram, Rekha Rao, Yusuf Arakkal and N. S. Bendre. There are also C.P. Rajaram`s exquisite woodcarvings displayed on the first floor. Other than this, there is the Hebbar Section dedicated to K.K. Hebbar to display his paintings entitled Vayu, Jala, Prithvi, Sea Shore, In Space, Nagamandala, Agni, Last Glimpse and Death.
The visiting hours of the Karnataka Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery, is 10am to 5pm. It remains closed on every Mondays, second Saturdays, and other holidays declared by the Karnataka Government.