A wing of the Sree Chitra Art Gallery on the zoo and museum premises here is undergoing renovation.
The renovation has been taken up after works on the Ravi Varma gallery, which was opened to the public a couple of months ago.
Paintings that were taken down to accommodate the Ravi Varma paintings during the renovation of the Ravi Varma gallery will be put back up after the work is over.
These include works by C. Raja Raja Varma, Rama Varma Raja, Mangala Bai Thampuratti, Lesley Kohinse’s portrait of Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, and Horace Van Ruth.
The roof tiles are being changed entirely.
A sheet of aluminium will be laid under the tiles to prevent seepage.
The flooring is wooden. gypsum panels have been put up.
These will be puttied and painted before the paintings can be hung.
Lighting
Only reflective and adjustable lighting will be used.
On the right side of the staircase to the floor above will hung paintings of Sree Moolam Tirunal, Vishakham Tirunal, and Ayilyam Tirunal by Padmanabhan Thampi.
On the first floor where Bagh and Ajanta mural paintings will be put up, the existing wooden floor has been scraped free of wall paint and will be given a coat of polish.
The rain has affected the pace of work, with laying of the roof tiles getting delayed.
Work on a new building to house the office of the art gallery superintendent, caretaker, and guide is also nearing completion.
