The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai, in collaboration with Gallerie Splash, opened its doors to two landmark retrospectives celebrating the artistic journeys of Padmashri awardee Ratan Parimoo (89) and pioneering woman artist Naina Dalal (90). The exhibitions were inaugurated by acclaimed actor Anupam Kher, in the presence of the veteran artists themselves, along with diplomats, curators, and art fraternity leaders.
The inaugural event was graced by eminent personalities including Daniel Quer Confalonieri (Consul General, Embassy of Argentina), Farhana Ahmed Chowdhury (Deputy High Commissioner, Embassy of Bangladesh), IAS Nidhi Choudhari (Director – NGMA Mumbai), curatorial advisor Girish Shahane, gallerist Jinoy Payyappilly, and art historian Gauri Krishnan, among others.
Opening on a light note, Anupam Kher reflected on his early connection with NGMA:
“I feel very fortunate to have been invited to Ratan ji’s and Naina ji’s exhibition showcased here at NGMA, Mumbai. Back in the day, when I was looking for work, I would often come to NGMA- for the air-conditioning , and to admire the paintings of great artists like Tyeb Mehta and Akbar Padamsee. Their works reflected their life journeys, and at drama school we were taught to learn from painters and their art, so these visits meant a lot to me.”
Speaking about Parimoo and Dalal, he said:
“The quiet strength they possess, and their love story… what a beautiful love story it is! They transported me into their world: Ratan ji growing up in Kashmir, moving to Baroda, meeting Naina ji as a young artist, then both journeying to London together and painting side by side. From a cinematic point of view, it’s extraordinary. Even the way they worked- each painting in different rooms, expressing their own visions, then returning to the world with their art, is profoundly moving. I feel enriched today for having been part of this event; I leave here a richer person for having met them.”
Ratan Parimoo: Pioneer Abstractionist
The retrospective titled “Pioneer Abstractionist” revisits Ratan Parimoo’s groundbreaking abstract works from 1958–1973. Showcasing more than 40 rare paintings, drawings, and prints, the exhibition highlights his early influences from Jain and Egyptian art, his embrace of gestural abstraction, and his relentless experimentation that helped redefine the visual language of Indian modernism.
Parimoo, apart from being a painter, is also a celebrated art historian, writer, and pedagogue, whose scholarship continues to shape Indian art discourse.
Naina Dalal: The Silent Fire Within
Running parallel is “The Silent Fire Within,” a sweeping retrospective of over 150 drawings, paintings, and prints by Naina Dalal. Born in 1935 in Vadodara, Dalal emerged as one of India’s pioneering women artists, blending resilience and innovation across multiple mediums.
Trained at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda, and later in London and New York, Dalal mastered techniques such as etching, aquatint, collagraphy, and lithography. Her works often probe themes of social realities, particularly the struggles and emancipation of women, expressed with sensitivity and quiet strength.
These parallel retrospectives are more than exhibitions- they are testaments to two lifetimes devoted to art, scholarship, and truth. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in this dual celebration until October 12, 2025, at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Sit Cowasjee Jahangir Public Hall, MG Road, Fort, Mumbai.
