THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sree Chithra Art Gallery attached to the Thiruvananthapuram Museum and Zoo has won an international award from TripAdvisor, the largest travel website in the world. The award is based on the rating by guests and tourists for its hospitality and behavior of the staff.
The gallery which dates back to 1935, has got an exquisite collection of Raja Ravi Varma’s and Russian painter Nicholas Roerich paintings.
TripAdvisor’s ‘certificate of excellence’ is considered to be a prestigious award which is achieved only through constant reviews from travelers.
The American travel website was launched five years ago and travelers across the globe depend on it for reviews before they zero in on a destination.
According to museum and zoo director B. Joseph, the award which is the first of its kind to be received for hospitality and behavior.
“Though the renovation by the state archeology department of the Sree Chithra Art Gallery is yet to be completed, the award comes as a morale booster to the staff. We have on display all the 43 Ravi Varma paintings as well as a wide collection of 15 exclusive Russian painter Nicholas Roerich’s painting,” said Mr Joseph.
The Sree Chithra Art Gallery has been undergoing renovation at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore since mid-2012. Museum authorities are peeved with the state archeology department for the undue delay in completion of the work.
