Bhopal’s Bharat Bhavan’s Crores-Worth Artworks Face Water Damage Risk
Bharat Bhavan in Bhopal is home to thousands of artworks valued at hundreds of crores of rupees, but the constant rain in the city has put these treasures at risk of water damage.
The collection includes over 2,000 paintings, with nearly 500 created by renowned artists, and is displayed at the Modern Art and Rangdarshini Galleries on a rotational basis. MF Husain’s painting, Mother Teresa, is one of the most prized possessions, with its current market value estimated to be in crores. Other celebrated painters like Sayed Haider Raza, V S Gaitonde, and Tyeb Mehta also have their artworks housed in the Bhavan.
The roof of the Modern Art Gallery is leaking, and the walls are damp, with water collecting on the floor, posing a significant risk to the artworks. Some paintings have been removed from the gallery to protect them from the damp walls, but the situation remains precarious. The management of the Bhavan is working to undertake repairs and ensure the safety of the valuable exhibits.