NGMA Mumbai hosts exhibition ‘Me and My Gandhi Ji’ on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti

The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, in association with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is hosting a landmark exhibition titled Me and My Gandhi Ji - The Man, The Mahatma, The Memory from 3rd October to 15th October 2025, to mark the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Drawn entirely from the private collection of noted collector Kishor Jhunjhunwalla, the exhibition offers audiences a rare opportunity to rediscover Gandhi Ji through stamps, coins, currency, letters, photographs, sound recordings and other personal memorabilia. Each artefact opens a window into Gandhi Ji’s life, revealing the human being behind the Mahatma, his philosophy, and his enduring connection with India and the world. The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was attended by Mangal Prabhat Lodha - Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, philanthropist and poet Manju Lodha, actor Renuka Shahane, TV producer Siddharth Kak, IAS Nidhi Choudhari - Director, NGMA Mumbai art collector Kishor Jhunjhunwalla, Daniel Quer - Consul General of Argentina, Aliaksandr Matsukou - Consul General of Belarus, Tomasz Wielgomas - Consulate General of Poland, Farhana Chowdhury - Consul General of Bangladesh and Shruti Das - Deputy Curator of NGMA Mumbai among others.

Speaking about the show, IAS Nidhi Choudhari, Director - NGMA Mumbai, shared, “NGMA Mumbai is intrinsically linked to Gandhi Ji’s own journey as it is housed in the historic Cowasji Jehangir Hall - a venue where Mahatma Gandhi once delivered a speech and later recalled his stage fright in his autobiography My Experiments with Truth. It was always my dream to host an exclusive exhibition on him, and when we received a proposal from Shri Kishor Jhunjhunwalla who holds an extensive collection of Gandhi-related stamps, notes, coins and personal items, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Under Seva Parv, we decided to honour Gandhi Ji’s legacy through this exhibition. It is a truly special show for all of us at NGMA.”

The exhibition unfolds across carefully curated sections, each offering a window into a different facet of Gandhi Ji’s life and legacy. Visitors can trace the story of India’s financial independence through ‘The Coined Era - Currency of Change’, which presents early drafts of the nation’s emblem and currency. They can then step into ‘Gandhi Ji’s Written Legacy - Letters That Moved a Nation’, where his personal and strategic correspondence from India and South Africa reveals the power of his words and the clarity of his vision.

His global influence comes alive in ‘Philatelic Footprints’, a showcase of stamps issued both in India and across the world, while ‘The Power of Media’ presents newspaper and magazine archives that chronicle his struggles and victories in real time. The visual memory of the freedom movement is captured in ‘Postcards from the Past’, featuring historic photographs and postcards of his marches, fasts and prayer meetings. A more intimate perspective emerges in ‘Spiritual Legacy’, where sacred relics such as Gandhi Ji’s preserved ashes and palm prints are displayed with reverence. His voice returns in ‘Sound of the Spirit’, through gramophone records of his prayers and speeches that continue to inspire with their calm strength.

The section titled ‘Independence and After’ reflects on Gandhi Ji’s poignant final speeches during the turbulence of Partition, reminding us of his call for healing and unity. Symbolic tributes take form in ‘Metal of the Mahatma, with commemorative medallions cast in gold and silver, while ‘The Written Word and Philosophy’ presents Montblanc’s limited-edition pens created in his honour, echoing the transformative power of writing in his life.

Artworks interpreting his journey find space in 'Sculpted Memory’, a collection of paintings and sculptures inspired by his philosophy and struggles. Finally, the exhibition draws to a close with ‘Gandhi Ji’s Evolution’, which chronicles his remarkable transformation from a young barrister in London to the Mahatma who led India’s freedom struggle, culminating in the iconic Dandi March.

“I began collecting material on Gandhiji in 1969, as I already had a hobby of collecting notes, coins, and stamps since I was a 10-year-old child. My interest was first sparked by a school textbook on Gandhiji. Here at the National Gallery of Modern Art, our focus is on presenting the man behind the freedom fighter. I would urge everyone to visit the exhibition,” expressed art collector Kishor Jhunjhunwalla, whose aim is to bring younger generations closer to Mahatma Gandhi through his expansive collection.

The exhibition, ‘Me and My Gandhi Ji’ will be on view at NGMA Mumbai, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall, Fort, from 3rd October to 15th October 2025. Entry free for all.