Raghav Babbar’s debut monographic exhibition in India, “Mela / मेला,” is currently on view at Nature Morte in Mumbai from September 11 to October 4, 2025. The preview took place on September 11, 6–9 PM IST, at Nature Morte’s gallery located on the third floor of Dhanraj Mahal, Apollo Bandar, Colaba.
Drawing inspiration from Babbar’s personal experience of the 2025 Kumbh Mela—the world’s largest gathering held every 12 years—this series of paintings goes beyond the event to delve into themes of humanity, collective memory, humility, and spirituality. Babbar’s practice centers on portraiture as a form of social revelation, capturing intimate portrayals of individuals involved in or influenced by the Mela. His layered oil paintings reveal micro-expressions that communicate moments of vulnerability, searching, and emotional complexity, inviting the viewer into a deeply empathetic encounter.
Babbar explains, “I always wanted to show in my home country and to the people that I’ve grown up with. My family and friends have never seen my work in public and also show what I have been doing for the past decade outside India. It’s the chance for me to bring my work and the things that I’ve learned in London and Singapore to India. Let people see that boy from that small town called Rohtak, who can also be a painter and make his life with his craft.”
This exhibition is a homecoming for Babbar, who was born in Rohtak near Delhi and has studied at Lasalle College of Art, Singapore, and the Royal College of Art, London. The works emphasize emotion, physicality, and the collective spirit, exploring how people see and remember one another in systems increasingly overshadowed by external forces.
SANGAM (Maha kumbh, Prayagraj) and BHAGYA (Maha kumbh, Prayagraj)
Nature Morte describes “Mela/मेला” as “not about the Kumbh itself but about humanity, of a collective sharing and generosity.” Babbar’s nuanced portraits provide a layered narrative that combines personal and cultural histories, encouraging viewers to reflect on visibility, memory, and the human experience.
Exhibition Details:
- Title: Mela / मेला
- Artist: Raghav Babbar
- Dates: September 11 – October 4, 2025
- Venue: Nature Morte, Third Floor, Dhanraj Mahal, Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400001
- Gallery Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 AM – 7 PM IST; Closed on Sundays
ADHYATMIK (Maha kumbh, Prayagraj) and Man in Prayagraj (Maha kumbh)
This exhibition marks Babbar’s profound artistic journey from India to international platforms and back, offering Indian audiences an opportunity to engage with his evocative portraiture that captures the soul of ordinary India within the extraordinary context of the Kumbh Mela.
Cover image: PARIVAAR (Maha kumbh, Prayagraj) All images courtesy of the artist and Nature Morte
Contributor
