Chennai:
The over 100-year-old National Art Gallery at the museum of Egmore is set for a major face lift with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa allocating Rs 11 crore for repairs and forming an expert committee for its restoration.
The allocation was based on a report given by an expert panel, which said the building should be protected, a state government release said on Saturday.
Constructed with red stones sourced from Satyavedu in Andhra Pradesh, the Gallery was built in 1906 in Indo Sarsenic architecture and houses paintings from Thanjavur, Rajasthan, Kangra and Deccan areas, as well as sandalwood sculptures.
It has remained closed since 2002, as part of the structure suffered damage.