The National Gallery of Modern Art Mumbai, Ministry of Culture, Government of India Celebrated World Dance Day and Maharashtra Day

To celebrate World Dance day and Maharashtra Day , NGMA( National Gallery of Modern art) and Ministry of Culture, Government of India organised a special program ‘ Nritya Gaurav ‘ kathak solo performance and ‘ lavni ke rang ,kathak ke sang ‘ on 30th April in NGMA Auditorium. The event was graced by Shri Mangal Pabhat Lodha ji ( cabinet Minister- skill development) and Smt Dr Manju Lodha ji , Smt Dolly Thakur ,  Smt Renu prithiani (ICCR Delhi), Shri Sanjay Khandare (Principal Secretary Government of Maharashtra), Ms Prakriti Nigam (IRS Joint Commissioner Income Tax)and IAS Nidhi Chaudhari director of Ngma welcomed all .

'Lavani' is an energetic folk dance of Maharashtra and 'kathak' is traditional classical dance style of Bharat (India). Lavani rooted in kathak has flourished over 300 years as a distinct art. Both the dances are based on Hindustani Sangeet but differ in taal section, instruments where Dholki is the main instrument in lavani, while kathak features Tabla. Importance of Ghungroo is the same in both the styles, yet their sound varies.

Nritya gaurav in which Guru Mukta Joshi performed Solo kathak which was vibrant and energetic which left the audience mesmerised. Guru mukta Joshi, is the senior disciple of Dr Padmashri Roshan Kumari Ji.  This was followed by ‘Lavni ke rang ,kathak ke sang ‘ which was performed by Guru Mukta Joshi and Troupe.

Guru Mukta Joshi is very passionate about lavani and wants to develop Lavani as the classical dance of Maharashtra.The performance commenced with the Ganesh Vandana evoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for an auspicious beginning, after that the Nrutta part of Lavani - Mujra (rhythmic body movements of lavani), then comes the Nritta part of Kathak (pure style of kathak), traditional dance form that depicts the playful interaction of how Lord Krishna plays the role in Kathak and Lavani through two different songs, Jugalbandi (challenging and rhythmic movements of lavani and kathak) which was an electrifying part of the programme which fascinated the audience and then concluding with the Vitthal bhajan on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

The concept of developing lavani as classical dance of Maharashtra was a real success as the audience appreciated not only lavani but also kathak with all the aspects of dresses, music, choreography, presentation.--

National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai

National Gallery of Modern Art
Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall
M. G Road, Fort Mumbai - 400032

"Landscapes of the Soul" An Exhibition of Paintings by JESAL DALAL / HEMALI SHAH at Nehru Center Art Gallery

If you’re in Mumbai between April 22 and 28, make some time to step into a space that offers more than just art on walls. Landscapes of the Soul, a two-woman show by artists Jesal Dalal and Hemali Shah, is opening at the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, and it promises to be an experience of quiet beauty and deep reflection This isn’t your typical art exhibition. Jesal and Hemali, though very different in style, come together with a shared intent: to express the unspoken — those silent emotions, fleeting thoughts, and inner landscapes we all carry but often can’t describe. Their work doesn’t shout for attention. Instead, it gently pulls you in.

JESAL DALAL

Jesal’s art feels like a breath of fresh air — or more accurately, like standing alone in a wide open space, surrounded by nature, and finally hearing yourself think. Using watercolours as her main medium, she leans into subtle hues, soft brushwork, and the play of light. Her paintings don’t just show you a scene; they ask you to feel it. Interestingly, Jesal didn’t start out as an Artist. 

She dabbled in architecture and interior design before discovering that painting was her real calling. Mostly self-taught, her artistic path has taken her across India and even to international exhibitions. Whether it’s the way she uses chiaroscuro for emotional depth or the way she lets form dissolve into the atmosphere, her work speaks of introspection and the search for peace.Her paintings are not about specific places. They’re about states of mind.

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HEMALI SHAH

Hemali’s journey with art began with Disney cartoons, but today, she’s painting nature through a lens of realism touched by emotion. Her background in Fine Arts, especially her time at C. N. Vidyalaya, gave her the foundation to grow, but it’s her connection to the natural world that fuels her creativity. Working primarily in watercolours, Hemali blends technical skill with a personal colour palette that’s uniquely hers. Her pieces often reflect the way she sees the world — not just what’s there, but what it means. There’s something deeply grounded in her work, yet you can feel her heart in every brushstroke. For her, painting is more than a craft. It’s a way of life, a perspective shift, and a means of becoming more aware and compassionate.

Landscapes of the Soul is about more than showcasing art — it’s about creating a space for emotion, reflection, and connection. Jesal and Hemali don’t just paint what they see; they paint what they feel, and in doing so, they give us permission to feel too. Whether you’re an art lover, a creative soul, or someone who simply needs a break from the city’s noise, this exhibition offers something rare — silence, softness, and space to just be.

The show will be inaugurated by two renowned artists, Amol Pawar and Nishikant Palande, on April 22 at 4 PM, and runs through April 28, open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Press Release

22 - 28 April 2025

"Landscapes of the Soul"

An Exhibition of Paintings by JESAL DALAL, HEMALI SHAH

VENUE:

Nehru Center Art Gallery

Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 4000018

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 99250 36131 / +91 96628 36342

Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Ragini Sinkar : Jehangir Art Gallery

From: 21st to 27th April 2025

"Cascade of Shades"

Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Ragini Sinkar 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 99226 20155

Cascade of Shades : A creative journey of the blend of colors, tones, and textures

There are paintings that capture your sight and then there are those that quietly enter your thoughts, linger in your imagination, and bloom with every passing moment. Cascade of Shades, a solo exhibition by Ragini Sinkar, belongs to the latter. Every painting in this series bridges gap between imagination and perception.

Artist: Ragini Sinkar

Opening on the 21st of April, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Mumbai’s iconic Jehangir Art Gallery , this evocative show will be inaugurated by two distinguished figures—Hon. Pravin Darekar, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, and Achyut Palav, master calligrapher, designer, Padmashree 2025.

Each canvas in Cascade of Shades feels alive with motion—not in the literal sense, but in how it unfolds across time and mood. A painting seen in morning light might feel entirely different by dusk. These are not static pieces, they evolve with the viewer. Built with translucent layers, subtle contrasts, and a keen eye for harmony, Ragini’s abstract compositions explore the delicate bridge between perception and imagination. Her work invites you to pause, to reflect, to lose and perhaps find yourself within shifting tones and textures.

A graduate of Sir J.J. School of Art, Ragini completed her A.T.D. in 1998 with first rank, followed by a B.F.A. in Drawing and Painting in 2002. Over the years, her work has been exhibited at some of Mumbai’s most prestigious galleries, including multiple solo and group shows at Jehangir, Nehru Centre, and Cymroza Art Gallery.

Her achievements include awards for design, object drawing, portraiture, sketching, and collage, and she has actively contributed to the Indian art scene through platforms such as the Art Society of India, Camlin Art Foundation, Bombay Art Society, and several women-led exhibitions.

Cascade of Shades will be on view from April 21 to 27, daily between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. At Jehangir Art Gallery, amid the timeless charm of Kala Ghoda, Ragini Sinkar’s paintings await, each one a quiet, unfolding dialogue between color and soul.

Press Release

From: 21st to 27th April 2025

"Cascade of Shades"

Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Ragini Sinkar 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 99226 20155