Government College of Fine Arts,
Founded in 1850 by Dr. Alexander Hunter, is one of the oldest art institutions in India. It offers Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) courses in painting, sculpture and art design. Located in Egmore on the Poonamallee Highway in Chennai, it is also known as the cradle of modern Indian art.
In 1928 – Mr. Devi Prasad Roy Chowdhury took over the administration of the college as the Vice-Chancellor.
He became the first Chief Minister of India in 1929.
The college operates under the Department of Art and Culture and has produced many great artists, sculptors, film directors, actors and all-rounders for over 175 years.
Last month, on Saturday, February 21-02-2026, a group of students who studied in the years 1997 – 2001 celebrated their silver jubilee with great pomp, noise and emotion after completing 25 years of college.
Madras School of Arts Madras School of Arts. It started during the British era under the name of Madras School of Arts… It has changed many names and today it is majestically named Government Kavin College of Arts. However, it is noteworthy that in the history of these 176 years, no students have ever celebrated their silver jubilee with such a large number of students. This can be said to be a historical record.
The visit of some of the professors who taught them further encouraged them.
Only 100 students will be admitted per year.
In the college, on Feb -21st, almost 63 students came before the Silver Jubilee (25 years later), which can be said to be a great achievement…
While permission was given from 10 am to 3 pm
The program started at exactly 9 am and students started coming one by one.
Students from out of town, out of state and even abroad had come.
It was a very happy event to see them, who were almost 50 years old, become children and exchange their love.
Their age, their economic status, social status, all these were put aside and everyone became like first year students.
The lunch was divided into two categories, vegetarian and non-vegetarian, and it was a very moving event to see students even eating from the same plate.
Student groups from six departments took separate photographs and enjoyed themselves.
Also, a train compartment from Chennai to Kumbakonam was designed to commemorate their first train journey, and students enjoyed taking photos in it.
It is questionable whether such a silver jubilee celebration will happen in the future, but this is a milestone in the history of the college.
