A Restored Kolkata Home Now Anchors a New Chapter in Contemporary Art
Kolkata has always had a quiet way of turning history into living culture. From coffee-house debates to para theatre, from art schools to homegrown galleries, creativity here rarely looks for spectacle — it grows organically. Adding a new chapter to this legacy is TRI Art & Culture, a contemporary art space housed inside a carefully restored 1940s mansion in South Kolkata.
Tucked away in Ballygunge, this once-private family home has been reimagined as a non-profit cultural centre that places contemporary artistic practice within the warmth of heritage architecture. The transformation is thoughtful rather than dramatic — the original structure has been respected, allowing the building’s history to remain visible while making space for new ideas to unfold.
Founded by siblings Varun and Nitasha Thapar, the centre reflects a deeply Kolkata sensibility: intimate, conversational, and rooted in long-term cultural engagement rather than short-term spectacle. The vision is simple yet powerful — to create a space where art can be experienced slowly, discussed openly, and accessed beyond the usual gallery circuits.
Architecturally, the mansion retains its old-world charm, with high ceilings, natural light, and a layout that flows organically across two floors. The name TRI subtly references the building’s triangular form, but it also hints at multiplicity — of perspectives, disciplines, and conversations that the space hopes to nurture.
Opening with Dialogue, Not Noise
The centre opened with two solo exhibitions curated in collaboration with Experimenter, reinforcing its intent to engage seriously with contemporary practice. On the ground floor, artist Prabhakar Pachpute presented a multimedia body of work reflecting on labour, resistance, and collective memory — themes that resonate strongly with India’s social landscape. Upstairs, Kolkata-based artist Kallol Datta explored identity and material culture through sculptural installations that blur the lines between fashion, politics, and personal history.
Rather than overwhelming visitors, the exhibitions invite reflection — a quality Kolkata’s art audience has always valued.
A Cultural Shift in the City
What makes TRI significant is not just the art it shows, but how it chooses to show it. In a city where many heritage homes stand abandoned or over-commercialised, this space demonstrates how architecture can be repurposed without losing its soul. It aligns with a broader movement in Kolkata where old buildings are being reclaimed as cultural spaces — places that encourage dialogue, learning, and community participation.
Looking ahead, TRI plans to host performances, talks, workshops, and interdisciplinary collaborations, positioning itself not merely as a gallery but as a cultural meeting point.
In a city that has always believed in ideas over gloss, TRI Art & Culture feels like a natural extension of Kolkata’s artistic temperament — rooted in history, open to the present, and quietly confident about the future.
Visitor Info:
• Address: 53/2/2 Hazra Road, Ballygunge, Kolkata 700019
• Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm
• Entry: Free for all
• Contact: info@triartandculture.com | +91 93300 78397
