Art, photography, heritage: how Nehru Centre promotes communities of culture
In this photo essay, we showcase artistic highlights from two recent exhibitions at Nehru Centre in Worli.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 935 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
Mumbai’s Nehru Centre recently hosted two unique art showcases, titled A Retrospective Exhibition of Indian Master Painter Shivaji Tupe, and Saltscapes: The Art of Nature (by Nishikant Mhatre).
Launched in 1972 and completed in 1985, the centre has aimed to foster intellectual growth, scientific curiosity, artistic expression, and cultural exchange in India’s commercial and entertainment capital. It includes an auditorium, exhibition halls, art galleries, a library, and research spaces.
Established in 1990, the centre’s Culture Wing has played a key role in promoting the visual and performing arts. It has hosted national and international art events, including group shows, workshops, seminars, and children’s art exhibitions.
Its art galleries feature established and emerging artists, with works such as paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textile art, photography, and calligraphy. The centre is also host to the annual India Art Festival (see our coverage of recent editions here).
The recent exhibition on the late artist Shivaji Tupe showcased watercolour landscapes and sketches, especially of riverbanks, temple towns, and architectural heritage. The Nasik-born artist studied at the prestigious J.J. School of Art in Mumbai.
Many of his words are centred on the river Godavari and its ghats, temples, courtyards, and village lanes. His works blend architectural detail with human presence to portray an intimate sense of place.
Tupe held more than 30 solo exhibitions during his career. He passed away at the age of 78, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy of over 5,000 paintings. They continue to draw acclaim for his authentic portrayal of India’s natural beauty and architecture.
The second recent exhibition at the centre was titled Saltscapes: The Art of Nature, and featured the works of photographer and visual artist Nishikant Mhatre. His work explores natural processes and abstract patterns formed in nature.
“In the salt-making process, saline water evaporates under the sun. At this time, layers of salt crystals, mineral residues, and organic matter create unexpected shapes and hues,” he tells YourStory.
His exhibition showcased dozens of photographs taken from India’s salt pans, highlighting nature’s inherent artistry. The salt formations seem to reflect natural as well as abstract formations in an artistic manner.
They seem to resemble mountain ranges, floral forms, and landscapes. Mhatre’s collection reflects his deep curiosity about how art-like compositions can be created via environmental conditions and even industrial side-effects like effulgence and pollution.
His works invite the audience to see visual poetry in everyday environments, interpret abstract works in nature’s accidental art, and connect art to environmental observation.
Beauty and meaning can thus be found outside stereotypically beautiful scenes.
Now, what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
Nishikant Mhatre
(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Nehru Centre.)
Edited by Jyoti Narayan