Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Art Gallery, a newly refurbished two‑storey, air‑conditioned venue in Rajkot, reopened after a Rs 6 crore makeover with the promise of becoming a vibrant hub for the city’s artists.

Instead, the halls now echo with the chatter of shoppers browsing lingerie, ethnic wear, cosmetics and household goods, turning the space into a bustling indoor market. An Instagram reel captured a visitor hurrying inside to pick out Navratri attire, underscoring the shift from canvas to commerce.

Local creators, including members of the Rajkot Visual Art Society, decry the loss of decorum and argue that the building should no longer bear the title of an art gallery if retail dominates. The municipal booking portal even lists separate categories—"art‑related activity" and "commercial exhibition and sell"—with higher daily rents for the latter.

Mayor Nehal Shukla defends the policy as a practical measure to keep the facility occupied, pledging to act only against "objectionable" items. The dispute highlights the tension between cultural preservation and the pragmatic use of public resources.

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