After standing in front of a closed door twice, the third time we finally got the chance to visit LAMO (this was just after the second lockdown in India, which was probably the reason that the opening hours were a bit different).
This public charitable trust – LAMO stands for Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation – is established ‘to articulate an alternative vision for the arts and media in Ladakh: the organization set up the LAMO Centre in Leh, the main town of the region, to provide a space for the understanding and development of the arts.’
Historical building
The space you find in the middle of the Old Town of Leh. When we arrived, we didn’t really know what to expect. The element of surprise therefore we felt extra, when we found out the gallery is set up in two of the old, restored houses.
“The complex on which the Centre is located comprises two historical houses below the 17th century Lechen Pelkhar (Leh Palace). The houses were restored by LAMO and converted to an arts space with galleries, offices, a library and reading room, screening room, conference room, and open-air performance site.”
(Source: Lamo.org.in)
These houses include the ‘Munshi house’, that dates back from the seventeenth century (just like the palace behind it). It belonged to the Togoche or Munshi family, ministers to the king (as mentioned in this article about Leh Palace, the houses of the aristocracy and important officials were built close to the palace at the top of the town at that time).
The gallery takes you via art and pictures through the building, which feels a bit like a labyrinth of spaces – just like Leh’s old center. Ending on the rooftop of the building, with the earlier mentioned beautiful view over both the Old Town as the new areas of Leh.
From there, you can enter the last part of the gallery as well as the library, which is decorated with art pieces as well. In here you have various book collections, and a number of workspaces. You also find a big booklet full of photos of the big restoration of this Munshi building.
For more info about the building and its restoration, about LAMO or about upcoming events, do check their website: Lamo.org.in.
Spot young Leh talent
While roaming through the Old Town we also found this small art gallery called Spindle Art Studio & Cafe. At the door we were welcomed by a young guy who later turned out to be one of the artists exposing his work in the gallery.
He helped creating the space, to help young artists in Ladakh to get more visibility. When we were there, they were just in the middle of rebuilding the exposition room, after the lockdown period.
The place also has a cozy cafe space where you can sit in and outside and have a view over Leh Old Town and the mountains.
Tsechu Lhamo Art Gallery
The third place is the for us still mysterious Tsechu Lhamo Art Gallery. Mainly because we couldn’t find it! We read that this cultural centre has been created in 2019 as one of the special attractions of Ladakh.
Seemingly it is named after Tseshu Lhamo, a ‘legendary singer of Ladakhl, because she has been of great importance in ‘the preservation of Ladakhi art through her matchless voice’.
Just like LAMO and Spindle this gallery is initiated for the promotion of Ladakhi art and offers a space for artists to display their art, but also to give workshops for example, screen films or have talk and readings.
Practical info about visiting Ladakh art galleries (2021) – shortlist to screenshot
- LAMO:
- Opening times: 2.00 – 5.00pm (Monday to Saturday)
- Required time: 1 hrs
- Costs: 100R (€ 0,80)
- Don’t forget:
- to visit the little gift shop with handmade souvenirs from Leh;
- to read more about the restoration of the building in the library or the book sold in the shop.
- Spindle Art Studio & Cafe:
- Opening times: 10.30am – 4.30pm (Monday to Friday)
- Required time: 1 hrs
- Costs: free
- Don’t forget:
- to have a chat with the guys walking around there, good chance it’s one of the (student) artists whose work is exhibited;
- to have a drink at the cafe and enjoy the artwork over there.
- Tsechu Lhamo Art Gallery
- Opening times / Required time / Costs: unknown (we haven’t found it, but we were advised to pay a visit!)
Tips @Breuhuys
LAMO, Old Town, below Leh Palace, Leh 194101, India
Breuhuys 
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