Cholamandal Artists Village

Cholamandal Artists Village, located in Injambakkam village just 10km south of Chennai’s Adyar River, is the oldest artists’ commune in India. Established in 1966 by the pioneers of modern art in South India, this 4-hectare cooperative features art galleries, museums, and an open-air theater for dance.

What is remarkable about its development is that it has grown into what it is now, without any funding or support from the government, quasi-governmental bodies, charitable foundations, art bodies like Lalit Kala Academy or persons apart from the small grant that it is entitle to, like any other art organization in the country.

The land where the artists set up their village was purchased with their own money. They built everything including their houses, studios, gallery, theatre, workshop and kitchen, on their own. On the whole, the artists who make up this settlement owe their village and the living they have managed out of it to nobody’s charity, patronage, munificence or eccentricity.