Every city has its own beat, but Mumbai feels like a whole band, the sound of the sea mixing with honking taxis, the sparkle of Bollywood next to the shadows of old colonial buildings. During their practical learning tour in Mumbai, students of Parul University got to experience a new side of the city when they visited the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA).

NGMA is not just an art gallery but a space where art, history, and ideas meet. It was crafted by the same designer who designed Mumbai’s Gateway of India. While the Gateway greets people entering the city, NGMA introduces them to Indian art made after 1850.

Walking Through Worlds on Canvas

Time seemed to slow as students entered NGMA. Every display had its own mood, landscapes showing natural beauty and metascapes that mixed imagination with reality. It felt less like looking at art and more like walking into someone else’s vision.

Among the highlights was Balkrishna Vaidya’s series of five paintings of retro Bollywood actresses, capturing the magic of Bollywood's golden era. Nearby, Laxman Shrestha’s ‘Bird’s Eye View’ allowed viewers to see the world from above, “distant enough to notice the bigger picture, yet close enough to still feel connected to it.”

The powerful Raavan sculpture carried a sharp reminder: “Education never guarantees character.” It showed that true learning lies in values, not just books.

Meeting the Masters 

The gallery also introduced students to the works of legendary artists.

S.H. Raza, a founder of the Progressive Artists’ Group, believed “Every creation in the universe starts with a dot.” His bindu symbolized beginnings and energy.

F.N. Souza, on the other hand, created bold and eerie pieces. He treated painting as a new language, even suggesting it spoke to angels through signs and symbols. His art challenged viewers rather than comforting them.

Even the idea of a mantra felt different here, art itself became a form of prayer, a way to connect with something larger than life. 

Outside the Gallery, Inside the Mind

For Parul University’s writers, this tour was more than seeing art. It was about discovering how sculptures and paintings question society, preserve history, and offer knowledge that cannot be found in a textbook.

Going into Mumbai, the students saw the city itself as art, the skyline as a canvas, the traffic as carvings, and street sounds as a mantra to life. 

Key Takeaways

• Art is not just seen, it is felt.

• A dot can hold an entire universe.

• Knowledge matters, but character matters more.

• Bollywood, spirituality, and rebellion all shape Indian art.