Shankar’s International Dolls Museum
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum (4, Nehru House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Road, New Delhi, Delhi) — set up by the renowned political cartoonist, K. Shankar Pillai (1902-1989), Shankar’s International Dolls Museum has one of the largest collection of costume dolls anywhere in the world.
Housed in the building of the Children’s Book Trust on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, the Museum occupies a floor area of 5184.5 sq. feet-a portion of the first floor. A separate entrance with a stately winding staircase leads up to a foyer. Inside, the Museum is divided into two equal halves. The two sections have over 160 glass cases, 1000 ft. long, mounted on the walls. One section has exhibits from European countries, the U.K., the U.S.A, Australia, New Zealand, Commonwealth of Independent States and the other from Asian countries, the Middle East, Africa and India. There are also special displays besides a representative collection from the over 150 kinds of authentic Indian costume dolls made at the Dolls Workshop attached to the Museum.
Some of the important dignitaries who have visited the Museum and recorded their appreciation are: U. Thant the then Secretary General of United Nations, Madame Tito of Yugoslavia, Queen Frederika of Greece, the Queen of Thailand, the sister of Shah of Iran, the wives of the President of Mexico and Indonesia, of the Prime Ministers of Poland and South Korea and the UN Secretary General and cultural delegations from many countries.
Admission: Rs. 17 (adult), Rs. 6 (children). Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (daily).