Discover Delhi XXIII - Non Sporting Attractions of CWG

"Bridal Look" is how a news reports described the looks of Delhi since last Sunday. I went to a few places that are hosting various cultural activities for CWG. Though around this time of the year Delhi anyway gets up from its half yearly slumber post hot summers, but this year courtesy CWG the scale is bigger and everything that usually happens over a period of 3-4 months seems to be packed in these 10 days. 

My first landing was at Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts, and it presented an absolutely deserted look. The security guard told me that there is no exhibition inside, but I insisted that the newspapers said there is and went inside. A beautiful tribal iron gate welcomes me, and the plaque next to it tells the story of the gate. Then came the beautiful sculptures spread across the sprawling green lawns and suddenly there was a beautiful yellow and red structure in front of me. Since it is not visible from the road and in the front you only see a white colonial building, this comes as a pleasant surprise. I went inside and saw that it was absolutely empty and renovation work going on.

Disappointed I came out and security guard showed me a notice that said all exhibitions have been postponed to 21st Oct. Then he narrated how hundreds of people have come with newspaper cuttings and he has to explain them that what is says does not exist. Not a encouraging start to my CWG excursion.

I walked to the national museum across the road, and this is a familiar turf as I am student there. I went to the Canadian Inuit Gallery that is on exhibit right now and a research scholar from the National Museum Institute explained all the artifacts in great detail along with all the associated stories and myths of that culture. Thanks to this unusual guide, I thoroughly enjoyed the gallery. I also explored the newly opened museum shop, which looks attractive, though the glass doors do not go with the ambience of the rest of the museum. The merchandise was interesting was too expensive. I am not sure how much sale they can expect with those kind of prices.

Came out of the museum and there was a cultural program going on its lawns, a tribal dance from Andhra Pradesh. I sat on the lawn and enjoyed the simple performance.

From here, I went to Rabindra Sadan for the Sahitya Academy Book Exhibition and bought some books by Rabindranath Tagore which were on huge discount. There was a small display of books from Pakistan and Bangladesh and otherwise there was no books from commonwealth. The film show on art was supposed to happen but as there was no power supply in the premises, no one knew if the show would happen. Meghdoot theatre had an array of shows but ironically the ticket window tells that you have to go to some other place to buy tickets. the Coca-cola stall outside had nothing to sell and it was difficult to find drinking water or any other eatables in and around the venues.

The art display of City and the Sports is amazing. It is a huge collection of primarily paintings around the theme of Delhi and sports, but there are few sculptures as well that are also fascinating. This is a must see for anyone interested in looking at various facets of the city.

Looking forward to visiting at least one stadium and watch some sports events as well.