The Grand Archway
The unique art gallery at MOHAR
A striking feature of MOHAR is The Grand Archway — a fascinating art gallery created within a broken storage archway by restoring the entire area with lime technology.
What was once a collapsed, ruined storage space has been transformed into a spectacular arched gallery — one of the most unique exhibition spaces in Rajasthan.
Today, the Grand Archway houses a spectacular collection of the art of Raja Ravi Varma — through the oleographs of Ravi Varma Press — alongside celebrated artist M V Dhurandhar, also by Ravi Varma Press.
The Transformation
condition of gallery before conservation
final view after conservation
Raja Ravi Varma and the Ravi Varma Press
A spectacular collection of Ravi Varma within restored walls
The Grand Archway houses oleographs from the legendary Ravi Varma Press — the printing house established by Raja Ravi Varma that democratised Indian art in the late 19th century, bringing fine art into homes across the subcontinent.
The collection also includes works by celebrated artist M V Dhurandhar — another master of the Company School tradition. Together, they form one of the most significant collections of this era housed within a restored heritage space.
Ravi Varma Press
M V Dhurandhar
Other Oleographs
the fascinating wall Frescoes of MOHAR
The Grand Archway — Officially Opened
Inauguration
The Grand Archway at MOHAR was inaugurated in a celebrated ceremony attended by distinguished dignitaries including Princess Diya Kumari, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Minister for Culture and Tourism.
The ceremony was made especially historic by the presence of Raja Rama Varma Thampuran — the descendant of the legendary Raja Ravi Varma — who inaugurated the gallery housing his ancestor's celebrated works.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Hon'ble Minister for Culture and Tourism
Raja Rama Varma Thampuran
Descendant of the legendary Raja Ravi Varma
Princess Diya Kumari
Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan
