 |
 The chateau like
building, known as Amar Mahal overlooking the Tawi river
and commanding a picturesque view of the mountain ranges
behind, houses the Amar Mahal Museum & Library.
Planned by a French architect in 1862, the Amar Mahal was
built by Raja Amar Singh in 1890’s. Maharani Tara
Devi, wife of late Maharaja Hari Singh (son of Raja Amar
Singh), resided in this palace for many years. After her
death in 1967, her son Dr. Karan Singh and his wife Mrs.
Yasho Rajya Lakshmi decided to convert Amar Mahal into a
major repository of books and works of art. He donated
Amar Mahal to Hari-Tara Charitable Trust for housing a
museum and a library. The museum was formally inaugurated
on April 13, 1975 by the then Prime Minister, late Mrs.
Indira Gandhi. ‘Encouraging artistic talent, to
establish fine arts centre and to collaborate with other
like minded institutions for  promotion
of Indian arts’ are some of the aims stated in the
mission statement of the museum. Amar Mahal Museum and
Library, over the last twenty-four years, has certainly
achieved these objectives and has enhanced its role. Its
increased attendance and the expanded scope of its
collaborations with various institutions—from
scholarly exchanges to workshops and exhibitions attest
to its vitality and maturity. Guided tours, book
readings, lectures, film shows and hobby classes are some
of the other visitor friendly activities that makes a
visit to the museum an enriching experience. |
