3 Kolkata Galleries You Must Catch at India Art Fair Delhi

New Delhi — If you’ve got even the slightest eye for colour, texture, or stories told through paint and installations, you’re going to want to block out first week of February 2026. India Art Fair is returning to Delhi with some serious heavyweights — and this year, three Kolkata galleries are showing up with a bang. But how does that affect us, the Dilliwallas who usually breeze through Pragati Maidan pretending to “get” abstract art while sneaking in Instagram Stories?

Kolkata’s finest are claiming space in Delhi’s art scene

Three standout galleries from Kolkata are set to make waves at the upcoming India Art Fair 2026 — Experimenter, Emami Art, and CIMA Gallery. These aren’t just your regular gallery-out-of-a-basement stories. These institutions have built deep roots in Kolkata’s art circuit by supporting progressive creators and unconventional formats. By participating in Delhi’s most significant annual art event, they’re literally shifting what gets seen, sold, and snapped by art enthusiasts from Rajouri Garden to Gurugram.

Experimenter, known for its challenging curatorial voice and socio-political themes, is bringing works that are expected to engage with South Asian identity post-2020s. Emami Art leans toward younger voices — expect bold, new-age stuff with digital and performance elements. And then CIMA Gallery steps in with icons and legends — perfect blend of heritage and relevance. Their inclusion signals a much-needed broadening of India Art Fair’s traditionally Delhi-Mumbai axis.

This cross-cultural addition isn’t just for the elites who sip wine while nodding at brush strokes — it’s a much-needed dialogue between cities, creative economies, and how we consume art in public spaces.

Why Dilli locals should care

India Art Fair may scream “posh” to the average Dilliwallah, but its ripple runs deep. For students from Jamia and Ambedkar University, this is a rare chance to access contemporary art up close, without shelling out for plane tickets to Paris museums. Office-goers from Connaught Place to Bhikaji Cama Place sneak out during lunch breaks to experience installations that become LinkedIn talking points. And vendors outside Pragati Maidan — from chana jor garam sellers to Uber drivers logging surge prices — get a footfall boost.

“Last year, students from South Campus came in crazy numbers, asking about artists from Bengal,” said a chaiwala near Supreme Court Metro Gate No. 4. “They may not buy, but they engage. That’s new.”

For Delhi families who regularly do National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) Sunday outings or school parents looking for “cultured” weekend plans, these Kolkata additions bring in fresh themes from East India, a perspective rarely seen beyond Satyajit Ray retrospectives. Plus, with Delhi’s own gallery scene growing in Shahpur Jat and Chattarpur, there’s rising curiosity in how other cities shape their visual language.

Kolkata and Delhi: Art friends, not rivals

Kolkata has long been a cultural powerhouse — from Rabindranath Tagore’s paintings to Satyajit Ray’s film illustrations. But historically, Delhi’s art power came via institution-backed work: LKA, NGMA, and the Government-run spaces around India Gate. In contrast, Kolkata’s galleries like CIMA and Emami evolved independently, often tied to academic circles.

Previously, Delhi’s India Art Fair was mostly peopled by galleries from Defence Colony, Greater Kailash, or Lado Sarai. But in the last decade, Mumbai and now Kolkata have entered the scene with a full throttle.

This is not the first time Bengal-based art has wowed Delhi — back in 2012, the Birla Academy showcase pulled record footfall at the Delhi Art Gallery. But this time, the vibe is different. It’s not just about displaying regional talent — it’s a two-way street of co-creating a national narrative. The inclusion of Kolkata galleries this year hints that India Art Fair understands the need to decentralise from just Delhi-Mumbai power play. This directional shift makes Delhi’s February art week feel more national than ever before.

How to make the most of your visit

Time your visit for weekday afternoons (post-lunch). You skip the weekend rush and get more access to artists and curators without selfie-stick interference.
Enter via Supreme Court Metro Station, Gate 5 — it’s the most direct path to the exhibition halls. Auto-walas outside ITO and Mandi House might overcharge.
Scout the official India Art Fair website beforehand to track which galleries are in which halls — the complex is massive, and you’ll thank yourself with a game plan.

📍 Spot Check: India Art Fair takes place at the NSIC Grounds in Okhla, but satellite exhibitions spill into areas like Lado Sarai, Chattarpur’s Old Fort Drive, and even offbeat venues near Hauz Khas Village. Mandi House Metro also leads you direct into a web of government-run galleries for those making a whole day of it.

The Final Word

India Art Fair 2026 is shaping into more than an upsell for collectors — it’s becoming a platform for intercity cultural exchange. With Kolkata bringing its legacy and edgy formats into Delhi shots, the event pushes boundaries for what Dilliwallahs consider “artsy.” Whether you’re genuinely into contemporary installations or just looking for an aesthetic boomerang next to a viral canvas, this February’s art circuit won’t disappoint.

Here’s my question for you — which city do you think brings more fire to modern Indian art: Kolkata or Delhi? And does it even matter anymore?