New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) A magnificent 28-kg brass bust of renowned Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin will now grace the National Gallery of Modern Art - a gift handed over by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s wife Malgorzata Tusk here Tuesday.
According to culture ministry officials, the visiting prime minister’s wife gave the sculptural bust of Chopin to the National Gallery’s director Rajiv Lochan as a gift from Poland to India. The national gallery, established in 1954, has over 14,000 collections of world’s most famous artists.

The brass bust, painted in black, has been created by eminent Polish sculptor and art historian Adam Roman. French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont was also present on the occasion, officials said.

The Polish prime minister is on a three-day visit to India and held a delegation level meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday.

Officials said the Polish parliament unanimously passed a vote to make the year 2010 a year of Fryderyk Chopin. This year marks the 200th birthday of this extraordinary composer and pianist.

One of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Chopin was born March 1, 1810 in the village of Zelazowa Wola near Warsaw.

From an early age, he was considered to be a child prodigy musician and by the age of seven, he started giving public performances.

Chopin died Oct 17, 1849 in Paris at the age of 33. He is considered to be one of the greatest masters of romantic music.