Marking the 111^th birth anniversary of its visionary founder, Dr. Jamshed Jehangir Bhabha, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) is hosting a special exhibition titled, ‘A Life In Memory’, from 21^st August to 14^th September, 2025, at the Dilip Piramal Art Gallery. The showcase features over 55 rare artefacts, chronicling the life of Dr. Bhabha, the Bhabha family, the NCPA and the Zoroastrian community’s contributions to Mumbai’s cultural life.

On display are striking pieces from Dr Bhabha’s personal collection, including late 18^th century wood-carved mythical sentinels, a serene bronze Tara Devi, a finely detailed Lord Shiva on a drum, a 19^th century glass tower clock, and a massive single-rock Lord Ganesha. “We wish to memorialise Dr. Bhabha’s role as NCPA’s founder and guardian angel, while inviting Mumbaikars to revisit his legacy and vision,” shared Nandita Anjaria, senior adviser at NCPA.

Dr. Bhabha, who passed away in 2007, had bequeathed his collection and his Malabar Hill residence, Meherangir (named after his parents, Meherbai and Jehangir), to the NCPA, ensuring the institution’s survival during financial strain. Remembered as a gentle soul with an iron will, he rebuilt the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre after a devastating fire in 1997, reinforcing his indomitable spirit.

The exhibition runs alongside the annual Jamshed Bhabha Memorial Lecture on 21^st August, at the Tata Theatre, where legal luminary Darius Khambata will speak on ‘War and Peace: Unlearned Lessons from the 20th Century’. Dr. Bhabha’s legacy continues to inspire, underscoring how dedication to art and culture can strengthen and enrich a nation’s identity.