The Sree Chithra Art Gallery near the Napier Museum was established in 1935 by the Maharaja of Travancore, Sree Chithira Thirunal. It has a collection of paintings representing the various genres of paintings in India, along with a few from other parts of Asia with a distinct stamp of Indian culture. The major attraction of Sri Chitra Art Gallery is the paintings of Raja Ravi Verma. He is one among the greatest painters of India.
The collection also includes unique copies of Indian mural paintings from pre-historic times down to the 18th Century. An oriental collection consisting of paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali offers a visual treat and are a tribute to the art and culture of these countries. Tourists can witness beautiful works of Nicholas Roerich, Svetoslav Roerich, Jamini Roy and Rabindranath Tagore also.
The arrangements of paintings in the gallery was done under the direction of Dr J.H Cousins. A large collection of paintings is a generous gift from the Royal House of Travancore and also the Kilimanoor Royal Family.
Sri Chitra Art Gallery is one of the main tourist destinations in Thiruvananthapuram. It is one of the finest art galleries in India which boasts the collaborated exhibits of both ancient and modern schools of Indian art.