Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in the Rajpath Area was established in memory of Indira Gandhi (1917-84), the first and so far only female Prime Minister of India.  It was launched in 1985 by her son, Rajiv Gandhi, and constituted in 1987. Its aim was to be a centre to encompass the study and experience of all the arts – each form with its own integrity.  This was to reflect Mrs Gandhi’s recognition of the role of the arts as essential to the integral quality of a person, at home with himself and society. 

Its goals are defined as serving as a major resource for Indian arts, oral and visual source materials, ranging from architecture, sculpture, painting and graphics to general material culture, photography and film; the performing arts of music, dance and theatre in their broadest connotation; and more besides.