Naina Dalal: The Silent Fire Within
A retrospective of drawings, paintings and prints
Naina Dalal’s oeuvre occupies a vital but under-acknowledged space in the story of Indian modernism. At a time when women artists were a minority in the field, she persevered with quiet intensity, forging a path across painting and printmaking with equal mastery. Her works are imbued with a social awareness that transcends direct narrative: they evoke presence through atmosphere, empathy through texture, and resistance through subtle but powerful imagery.
The retrospective presents her works across media, revealing a consistent concern with human relationships, social realities and the resilience of women. The canvases display a lyrical painterly quality, while the prints embody technical experimentation that expanded the possibilities of Indian printmaking. Dalal’s art engages with both private and public realms, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary through her sensitivity to form, texture and subject.
By bringing together six decades of her work, the exhibition restores attention to a senior woman artist whose contribution has been under-recognised. It acknowledges her role in shaping the history of modern Indian painting and printmaking, and affirms the continuing relevance of her vision.
📍On view: 11 September to 12 October 2025, National Gallery of Modern Art,Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400032
Installation View
