Art & Culture

The Cultural Complex Sector 10

Chandigarh is the cultural capital of the region. Many artists and writers live in the city. The frequently held exhibitions, and performances by singers, dancers, musicians and actors have inculcated among city residents a desire for the best in performing visual and plastic arts besides literary encounters.

Le Corbusier earmarked a portion of Sector 10 as the Cultural Complex which would include an Audio-Visual Training Institute, a Museum, an Art Gallery, and a ‘Miracle Box’ ( which never got build ) and later replaced by the Science Museum.

At present there is the Government College of Arts, the Government Museum and Art Gallery alongwith a separate ‘Pavilion for Temporary Exhibitions’ – now converted into the City Museum. The ‘Miracle Box’ has been substituted by the Museum of Evolution of Life, not designed by Le Corbusier, but located in the Cultural Complex. The Theatre for Performing Arts was later realised as the Tagore Theatre designed by Aditya Prakash in Sector 18.

Lalit Kala, Sahitya and Sangeet Natak Academy Sector 34

These three bodies devoted to art, literature, music and dance/drama respectively function in co-ordination with the UT Administration and have their offices in the State Library Building, Sector 34. They conduct numerous lectures, exhibitions, performances and festivals throughout the year.

Pracheen Kala Kendra Sector 35

This is a private teaching institution offering degree courses in Hindustani vocal and instrumental music, Kathak and Bharatnatyam among the Indian Classical dance and also folk dances and song. The Pracheen Kala Kendra organises a week-long festival of music and dance every year in March as well as smaller programmes -baithaks- on the 11th of every month. No tickets are required for these programmes. Anyone may attend.