Art Reference Library

The Art Reference Library (ARL) was inaugurated on 1 August 2014 by the then President of the Centre, late Shri Soli J. Sorabjee. Initially housed in the upper basement of the Kamaladevi Complex, it now occupies a newly created space adjacent to the Main Library, overlooking the Fountain Lawns. This architecturally refined area was formally inaugurated on 2 May 2019 by late Dr. (Smt.) Kapila Vatsyayan, Chairperson, International Research Division, IIC.

The ARL maintains a growing collection of 1,450 books, magazines, art catalogues, posters and pamphlets. The subjects represented include architecture, ceramics, conservation, drawing, fashion, furniture design, glass work, jewellery, metal work, painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, folk art, handicraft and iconography, among others. A distinctive feature of the ARL is its collection of approximately 200 recipe books, some donated by Late Smt. Bhicoo Manekshaw, who had a long association with the Centre from 1973 to 2013. Her culinary legacy is reflected in the popular cookbook Secrets from the Kitchen: Fifty Years of Culinary Experience at the India International Centre, published by IIC in collaboration with Niyogi Books.

Around 600 books have been transferred from the Main Library and integrated into the ARL. The remaining titles have been received as donations from Members and the Programme Division. Grateful acknowledgement is extended for contributions from Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan’s valuable personal collection and from the late Shri Keshav Malik’s rich collection, including his own works, generously donated by Smt. Usha Malik. The Library also appreciates the support of the Foundation of Museum of Modern Art (FOMA), Karachi, which has donated 78 books. FOMA is an independent Trust that promotes the study of art in historical and contemporary contexts and supports the development of art museums and libraries.

The collection is for reference use only and a comfortable seating area is available for browsing and study.