Jehangir Art Gallery

I visited the exhibitions at Jehangir Art Gallery this week and found some really impressive works on display.  However, I was shocked at the state of one of the “ gems” of Mumbai that is visited by tourists to the city and by art connoisseurs.   How does one concentrate on the art when the surroundings are so unclean?

The air in the auditorium hall was stifling and stale.  Some arrangement for movement of fresh air needs to be made. Without this, it is very hard to breathe let alone stand and admire art work. 

The glass door to the air-conditioned exhibit area badly needed cleaning. One is required to push to enter and the multitude of greasy palm prints on the glass made it less than desirable to touch.  Ideally the glass should be cleaned frequently during the day when exhibitions are held. 

Near the staircase on the way to the exhibition space upstairs is a toilet.  It is a pay and use facility and the smell is similar to such facilities at railway stations.  I was most offended by filth strewn on the stairs next to this toilet. I asked the person sitting next to this strewn garbage and collecting coins for the pay and use - why the stairs were so dirty and she replied she would clean it before leaving.   

Certainly this is not expected from a “premium” art gallery that has a waiting list stretching a few years.  If patrons cannot enjoy artwork in pleasant surroundings, they will go elsewhere.   Much of what is required to perk up the place is a little elbow grease and initiative.   Government organization or not, it has to be clean.