Written by
Sweta Das
Columnist, An Art Enthusiast
The Museum and Art Gallery of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (RMIC), Golpark, has added a new chapter to its cultural journey with the inauguration of the 'World of Ceramic and Fusion Gallery' — a space where tradition meets modernity.
Established in 1976, the museum has long been an important centre for preserving India's cultural heritage. Its growing reputation was reaffirmed in 2025, when it was named among the sixteen best museums in Kolkata by Condé Nast India.
Why a Ceramic Gallery at Ramakrishna Mission?
The idea for a dedicated gallery for ceramic, porcelain and related art forms was conceived in 2023 as the collection expanded. Curator Dr. Sankha Basu explains, "Some may ask why a spiritual organization like Ramakrishna Mission maintains museums. The answer lies in Swami Vivekananda's ideal of education as a means for complete development. He called to 'promote and encourage arts and industries.'
The gallery has been developed in the north corridor of the Museum and is dedicated as the Anil Kumar Ganguly and Amal Kumar Ganguly Collection.
The principal contribution came from the noted Ganguly family of Kolkata, a family with a four-generation-long tradition of collecting. Sri Amal Kumar Ganguly, the last torchbearer of this tradition, generously donated a large number of artworks.
What Will You See?
The exhibits, donated mainly by the descendants of Rakhal Das Bandyopadhyay, Bepin Behari Ganguly, Suniti Kumar Chatterji and Satyendra Nath Bose, are categorized into:
- Deities, decorative items, wall plates
- Coffee mugs, vases, crockery
- Animal and human figurines
Each exhibit is documented under 'Ceramic Tradition - East and West'.
Interesting Fact: Some exhibits preserve older artistic traditions even if not antique. For example, ceramic plates showing decal-printed scenes from Francis Wheatley's 'Cries of London' preserve the spirit of old masters.The collection shows how techniques travelled — Indian deities manufactured in Germany and vice versa, designs made in Calcutta being produced abroad.
Gallery Highlights: A Journey Across Cultures
14 Must-See Collections:
1. Bisque Porcelain Figurines - Germany
2. Blue Opaline-Glass Perfume Bottle - Italy
3. Art of Chokin - Japan
4. Delft Blue Porcelain - Netherlands
5. Mud Men Figurines - China
6. Capodimonte Porcelain by Giuseppe Armani and Antonio Borsato - Italy
7. Limoges Porcelain - France
8. Macau-Style Chinese Cuisine and Porcelain Heritage
9. Imari Plates - Japan
10. Porcelain-made Indian Deities Manufactured in Germany
11. Glass Island of Murano - Italy
12. Crystal and Glass Vases
13. Bohemian Crystal - Czech
14. European Chinoiserie Style (China - Germany - France)
Message for Young Museum Enthusiasts
Academic Member of the Curator's Desk, Sreejita Bhowmik conveys, "We hope the gallery will inspire young Museum Enthusiasts, Art Researchers and Artists to appreciate Ceramic Art and the enriched traditions that have connected people across the world for centuries. We earnestly request you to all do visit this extraordinary and one-of-a-kind 'World of Ceramic anf Fusion Art Gallery' at the Museum and art gallery of the RMIC,Goalpark,Kolkata.
VISITING DETAILS:
Location: Museum and Art Gallery, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata
Time: 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
