At P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai | Date: 07th to 21 September 2025 | Time: 11.00am to 07.00pm
Inauguration: 07th September 2025 | Time: 4.30pm to 07.00pm
Organized by Kala Samvad | Online Media for Art & Culture) | https://kalasamvad.in
Curator by Nandoo Sarswati: +91 9702299575
Adv. Ashish Shelar (Minister of Information Technology, Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra Government)
H.E. Aliaksandr Matsukou (Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai)
1. H.E. Shirani Ariyarathne, Consul (Commercial) at Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai.
2. H.E. Adriana Villanueva Becerril (Deputy Consul General of Mexico in Mumbai).
3. Padma Shri Premjit Baria (Eminent Artist, Diu (DNH, Daman & Diu))
4. Padma Shri Dr Mukesh Batra (Founder, Dr Batra's Healthcare)
5. Padma Shri Dr Prakash Kothari (Ex. Prof. & HOD., Seth G. S. Medical College and KEM Hospital)
6. Padma Shri Uday Vishwanath Deshpande (Mallakhamb Guru)
7. IAS Nidhi Choudhari (Director, National Gallery of Modern Arts Mumbai)
8. IAS Prerna Patil (Joint Commissioner, GST Department, Mumbai)
9. IRS Prashant Patil (Additional Commissioner, Custom Department, Mumbai)
10. Prof. Waghmare (Ex. Director of Directorate of Art, Maharashtra)
11. Ms. Brinda Miller (Hon. Chairperson of the Kala Ghoda Association)
1. Dr. Uttam V. Jain (Patron, Hindustan Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai)
2. Shikharchand Jain (Ex President, Hindustan Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai)
3. Mr. Ganpat Kothari (CMD, Kothari Group, Mumbai)
4. Mr. Kishor Khabiya Jain (CMD, Khabiya Group, Mumbai)
5. Mr. Mahendra Kalantri (Director, Acclaim Syst. Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai)
6. Mr. Jagdish Purohit (Chairman, India Press, Mumbai)
7. Mr. Vibhuraj Kapoor (Owner, Beyond Art Gallery, Mumbai)
8. Mr. Rishiraj Sethi (Owner, Aura Art Gallery, Mumbai)
9. Mr. Santosh Pednekar (Assistant Director, Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Mumbai)
10. Mr. Sandip Prabhakar (Assistant Curator, Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai)
11. Mr. Sanjay Nikam (Artist & Curator, Gandhi Film Foundation Art Gallery Mumbai)
12. Mr. Rajan Jadhav (Founder Director, Answer Group & WAC)
13. Prof. Mogglan Shravasti (Ex Professor, Sir J.J. School of Art Mumbai)
14. Prof. Hemant Samant (Writer & General Secretary, JUM)
& others are also invited from various sectors, such as art, corporate, media, celebrates etc.
At P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai | Date: 07th to 21 September 2025 | Time: 11.00am to 07.00pm
Welcome to this special 15-day exhibition - a heartfelt homage to the legendary individuals whose vision, courage, and determination laid the foundation of the city we proudly call Mumbai. These portraits are more than artistic expressions; they are windows into the lives of pioneers, reformers, dreamers, and doers—men and women who transformed Mumbai from a coastal settlement into a global metropolis. Their legacies live on in every street, skyline, and story this city holds. It is both an honor and a responsibility to present their stories to you. May their lives remind us of what is possible when conviction meets purpose. May their spirit continue to inspire future generations to shape Mumbai’s journey with the same passion and resilience.
Thank you for joining us in remembering those who made Mumbai what it is today.
(By Birth Year - With Dates, Legacy, and Notable Honors)
1. William Hornby (11 March 1723 – 18 November 1803)
Governor of Bombay (1771–1784), known for the Hornby Vellard reclamation project that helped unify Bombay’s seven islands — laying the groundwork for Mumbai’s urban expansion.
2. Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795)
Queen of Malwa, admired for her just rule and monumental contributions to temple building, dharamshalas, and public works across India. A symbol of wise and benevolent governance.
3. Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (15 July 1783 – 14 April 1859)
The first Indian knighted by the British Crown. A Parsi merchant and great philanthropist, he funded schools, hospitals, and infrastructure like Sir J.J. Hospital and J.J. School of Art.
4. Jagannath Shankar Sheth (10 February 1803 – 31 July 1865)
Philanthropist and educationist, he co-founded Mumbai University and promoted girls’ education, social reform, and civic development in 19th-century Bombay.
5. Premchand Roychand Jain (09 November 1831 – 26 June 1906)
One of India’s first stock market magnates, founder of the Bombay Stock Exchange, and patron of institutions like the Rajabai Clock Tower, named after his mother.
6. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (03 March 1839 – 19 May 1904)
Father of Indian Industry and founder of the Tata Group. Visionary behind Tata Steel, Indian Institute of Science, and India’s hydroelectric revolution.
7. Raja Ravi Varma (29 April 1848 – 02 October 1906)
Pioneering painter who blended European realism with Indian mythological themes. Mass-printed his artworks, making religious art accessible to all.
8. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856 – 01 August 1920)
“Lokmanya Tilak”, nationalist leader and reformer. His rallying cry — “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it” — inspired the early independence movement.
9. Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve (18 April 1858 – 9 November 1962)
Champion of widow remarriage and women’s education. Founder of SNDT Women’s University. Received the Bharat Ratna in 1958.
10. Dr. Waldemar Mordecai Haffkine (15 March 1860 – 26 October 1930)
Microbiologist who developed life-saving vaccines for cholera and plague in colonial India. Founder of the Haffkine Institute in Mumbai.
11. Rabindranath Tagore (07 May 1861 – 7 August 1941)
Poet, philosopher, and Nobel Laureate in Literature (1913). Composed the Indian and Bangladeshi national anthems and founded Visva-Bharati University.
12. Swami Vivekananda (12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902)
Hindu Saint and global spiritual icon. Delivered a landmark speech at the 1893 World Parliament of Religions. Founder of the Ramakrishna Mission.
13. Dadasaheb Phalke (30 April 1870 – 16 February 1944)
Father of Indian Cinema and pioneer of indigenous filmmaking. Directed India’s first feature film Raja Harishchandra (1913). Laid the foundation of a self-sustaining Indian film industry.
14. George Wittet (1878 – 10 September 1926)
Scottish architect behind Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, and other Mumbai landmarks. Defined Indo-Saracenic architecture in colonial India.
15. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (28 May 1883 – 26 February 1966)
Freedom fighter, writer, and political theorist. Coined the term “Hindutva”, endured years in Cellular Jail, and authored revolutionary works on Indian history and nationalism.
16. Jamnalal Bajaj (04 November 1889 – 11 February 1942)
Industrialist and Gandhian social reformer. Supported the freedom movement, promoted khadi, and led rural upliftment efforts. Revered as Gandhi’s “fifth son.”
17. Acharya Vinoba Bhave (11 September 1895 – 15 November 1982)
Spiritual heir to Gandhi, he led the Bhoodan Movement, advocating voluntary land redistribution. Awarded the Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 1983).
18. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (01 September 1896 – 14 November 1977)
Founder of ISKCON (Hare Krishna movement). Translated and spread Vedic texts globally. Established over 100 temples worldwide.
19. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (29 July 1904 – 29 November 1993)
Aviation pioneer and visionary industrialist. Founded Air India, expanded Tata Group internationally. Received Bharat Ratna (1992) and UNESCO Peace Award.
20. Acharya Tulsi (20 October 1914 – 23 June 1997)
Jain Saint , reformer, and founder of the Anuvrat Movement — a moral-spiritual initiative beyond sectarian lines. Key thinker in modern Jain ethics.
21. Ramanand Sagar (29 December 1917 – 12 December 2005)
Director and writer, famed for TV epic Ramayan (1987), which revolutionized Indian television. Recipient of Padma Shri.
22. Purushottam Laxman Deshpande (08 November 1919 – 12 June 2000)
Multi-talented Marathi writer, humorist, actor, and musician. Known as “Pu La”. Winner of Padma Bhushan and Sahitya Akademi Award.
23. Pandurang Shastri Athavale (19 October 1920 – 25 October 2003)
Philosopher and founder of the Swadhyaya Movement, promoting self-knowledge, inner divinity, and social transformation. Awarded the Templeton Prize (1997), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1996), and Padma Vibhushan (1999).
24. R.K. Laxman (24 October 1921 – 26 January 2015)
Cartoonist behind the iconic Common Man. Chronicled Indian life for decades in The Times of India. Recipient of Padma Vibhushan and Ramon Magsaysay Award.
25. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 06 February 2022)
Legendary singer, the “Nightingale of India”. Recorded 25,000+ songs. Received Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and France’s Legion of Honour.
26. Acharya Osho (Rajneesh) (11 December 1931 – 19 January 1990)
Controversial spiritual guru and founder of the Osho movement. His teachings on meditation, freedom, and awareness attracted a global following.
27. Ratan Naval Tata (28 December 1937 – 09 October 2024)
Industrialist and former chairman of Tata Group. Oversaw global expansion (Jaguar Land Rover). Honored with Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2008). Known for ethical leadership and philanthropy.
28. Ravindra Jain (28 February 1944 – 09 October 2015)
Blind composer, lyricist, and singer. Scored music for Ramayan and many films. Awarded Padma Shri posthumously for his contributions to music.
29. Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj (10 October 1946 – 18 February 2024)
Highly revered Digambara Jain Saint, scholar, and poet. Known for his spiritual austerity and influence on contemporary Jainism. Authored several texts and inspired social, spiritual, and educational work.
30. Purshottamdas H. Purohit (02 August 1920 – 23 July 1990)
Karmayogi, freedom fighter, and founder of Adarsh Group of Hotels in Mumbai, he played a quiet yet crucial role in India’s independence movement and post-independence employment generation. Honored with a commemorative road (1991) and a postal stamp (2025) for his philanthropic legacy.
31. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari (01 March 1922 – 08 July 2008)
Spiritual reformer and founder of a global rational-spiritual movement based on Samarth Ramdas’s teachings. His weekly discourses influenced millions, and he was honored with the Maharashtra Bhushan Award (2008).
32. Shantilal Lalji Furia (04 December 1943 – 09 July 2022)
Co-founder of Jeevandeep Edumedia Pvt. Ltd. and pioneer in India’s educational publishing industry. Launched the Periwinkle brand to combine traditional learning with digital innovation, transforming early childhood education.
RSVP:
Rajkumar Sharma: +91 93220 98431 / Whatsapp: +91 70392 39067
Nandoo Sarswati: +91 97022 99575
At P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai | Date: 07th to 21 September 2025 | Time: 11.00am to 07.00pm
