‘With its many museums, one can never lose touch with history in Delhi’

From art, railways and science to dolls, stamps and even toilets – Delhi boasts of a huge variety of museums. These interesting places are becoming increasingly popular among people looking to spend summer afternoons in a unique way. On International Museum Day, walk curators tells us about these treasure troves in the capital.

History, wonder, culture: Museums can evoke emotions
“Walking into a museum is a visual treat filled with knowledge, history and culture.It can increase empathy in children and adults by bringing different perspectives and stories to life. Crafts Museum, Sanskriti Museum, National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)and Museo Camera are some of my top suggestions that one must visit. In several open and private walks I have done over time, it’s been interesting to see a diverse set of people show up. It’s delightful to see young people bringing elders at times or friends exploring together,” says Priya Chauhan, a Delhi-based art curator and heritage expert.


‘Museums are repositories of our culture’
“National Museum, National Crafts Museum, NGMA, Red Fort Archaeological Museum and Purana Qila Museum, to name a few, are spaces in the capital that are repositories of our art, relics, handicraft, handloom and sculptures. An informed walk curator can help visitors navigate these spaces and let them get in touch with their roots through experiential tours,” says Dushyant Singh, a walk leader, “During summers, when it’s too hot to visit monuments, the exploration of our history and culture can continue with visits to museums.”


“The National Museum is perfect for learning about ancient India, Buddhist relics, Pahari paintings, and Mughal coins, the NGMA on the other hand is good for people who have knowledge and interest in the artworks of 20th-century painters,” shares Anoushka Jain, a heritage walk curator.

Must-visit museums across the city


‘Summers are a good time to introduce kids to museums’
Anoushka Jain, a heritage walk curator, who conducts at least three museum walks in a month, says, “Delhi is home to many museums and they have a lot to offer. People prefer to take museum walks to beat the heat. And for history lovers, museums become a perfect way to spend summer weekends.” Walk leader Gaurav Sharma adds, “One can never lose touch with history in Delhi. I think summer holidays are a good time to introduce kids to various museums in Delhi.”

‘One can also visit offbeat museums’
Talking about the diversity of subjects of Delhi museums, Ratnendu Ray, who conducts walks at offbeat museums, says, “From a walk at the Sulabh Toilet museum on sewage systems of Shahjahanabad both during the Mughal as well as the Colonial period to the Doll’s Museum near ITO with its installations, one can spend their day at an offbeat museum with fascinating exhibits and artefacts.”