Located in the heart of the city in Rajasthan, The Jawahar Kala Kendra was dedicated to the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. The importance of India’s rich arts, crafts, and cultures, is associated with the nomenclature of the city itself as the design of the centre resonates with that of the city. The Jawahar Kala Kendra was established to encourage the promotion of Rajasthani cultural and traditional values and showcase the rich heritage, arts, and crafts.
Information for Visitors
Entry Fee – No
Entry Timing – 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Location – 2, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, Jhalana Doongri, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 302004, India
History of Jawahar Kala Kendra
Established in 1983, Jawahar Kala Kendra was conceived as a multi-art centre to promote and preserve Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage. The centre’s design draws inspiration from the principles of Indian architecture, incorporating elements of Jaipur’s traditional courtyard houses. This place hosts various cultural events, exhibitions, workshops, and performances, showcasing the diverse artistic traditions of Rajasthan and beyond. It serves as a vibrant hub for artists, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts, contributing to the cultural landscape of Jaipur and India.
Architecture of Jawahar Kala Kendra
To preserve the ancient culture, traditions and art of Rajasthan, the architectural concept of Jawahar Kala Kendra is based on the principles of Vastu Shastra. The main building includes theatres, exhibition galleries, dormitories, restaurants, auditoriums, and a coffee house. Every separate section of the JKK is based on a planet from the Navagarha and resembles the respective planet in colors, character, astrological values, and functionality.
The entire complex is built in red sandstone and white marble with vastu symbols on the façade of each square. The library building is linked to the planet Jupiter and the attributes of the building resemble the characteristics of the planet. The favorable color of Jupiter is lemon yellow and the Library building has the same color.
Dedicated to the ethos of knowledge showcased by the planet Jupiter, the library got its name from Sandarbh. It stands as a beacon of learning with over 14000 books. Bamboo-adorned beams grace the roof, adorning the aesthetics of this place. the central theatre Madhyavarti is nestled within the Navagarha mandala, and boasts towering red sandstone walls and an open-air design.
The cafeteria symbolizes the moon, and offers a celestial dining experience. It is adorned with murals showcasing Jain mythology, cosmology, and astronomy. JKK invites everyone to discover the boundless realms of knowledge and creativity.
There’s a rural complex setting adjacent to the JKK complex that shows the rural set of various other regions, like Shekhawati, Braj, Marwar, Hadoti, Tribal, etc. The complex is called Shilpgram and it hosts the annual folk art festival called Lokrang.
Theatres in Jawahar Kala Kendra
The Jawahar Kala Kendra houses 3 theatres, one open and 2 closed. The open theatre is more popular among visitors and can accommodate 400 people at one time. The open theatre is at the centre of the premises. Due to the location and its openness, young artists prefer to rehearse their plays. The other two theatres of JKK are known as Rangayan and Krishnayan. Rangayan hosts modern plays whereas Krishnayan hosts more intimate plays, specifically focused on distinct subjects and issues of the society.
Galleries & Museums
The Jawahar Kala Kendra has a double-storey exhibition space cum museum named Alankar Museum. The exhibits of the museum include artefacts and a collection of ceramics, wooden, as well as decorative items ranging from intricately carved large wooden doors to Nobel furniture to statues and sculptures of famous icons of Rajasthan to earthenware, lanterns, hookahs, etc. The rich collection is based on authentic Rajasthani tradition.
Exhibitions and Festivals
The Jawahar Kala Kendra hosts the famous multi-disciplinary performance arts festival Navras. The festival is a week-long festival wherein visitors participate in the architecture walk of the Kala Kendra as the guide takes them for a tour of the complex. Moreover, the other performances include theatre plays, music and traditional dance performances.
Another annual festival on country folk art and culture is Lokrang. It is a 10-day festival held during October or November. There are many workshops, exhibitions, events, as well as performances organized during the festival. The performances are done by folk artists from all over the country.
Places to visit near Jawahar Kala Kendra
- Jaipur Zoo
- Ram Niwas Garden
- Albert Hall Museum
Conclusion
So, while planning your next Jaipur sightseeing tour, consider a visit to Jawahar Kala Kendra.