For Mumbaikars who may not know who the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) has been named for, there’s a new permanent exhibition celebrating the life of the institution’s co-founder.
Formally inaugurated on Wednesday evening, an exhibition of archival photographs traces the milestones in Dr. Jamshed Bhabha’s journey, first as an executive with the Tata group, his marriage to Betty Irene and the eventual founding of the NCPA with JRD Tata. The exhibition, ‘Dr. Jamshed Bhabha Remembered’, is housed in the foyer of the theatre.
Iron will
The evening was kicked off by Khushroo Suntook, who succeeded Dr. Bhabha in 2007 as NCPA chairperson. Mr. Suntook, who had been a close associate of Dr. Bhabha, said his story can never be showcased in separation from the NCPA. “This long overdue mini-exhibition on the life and times of Dr. Bhabha coincides with the fifty years he spent promoting and building all the five theatres which now adorn our complex. In spite the constant paucity of funds for many years, his iron will and determination to succeed overcame all.” Mr. Suntook also touched upon Dr. Bhabha’s relationship with his illustrious brother, nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha.
Dr Bhabha famously left his sizable estate — including his family home, Meherangir, valued at ₹372 crore — to the cultural hub.
The almost completely black-and-white photographs and accompanying text are neatly divided into the personal and professional lives of the NCPA founder. There are sepia-toned photographs of Dr. Bhabha and his wife, family portraits, and extensive documentation of his association with JRD Tata. This includes fragments of letters the NCPA’s founding fathers wrote to each other.
The Bhabha family’s philanthropic spirit has been proudly showcased with several honours and titles, the most eminent one being the Commendatore of the Order of the Republic of Italy. Items from Dr. Bhabha’s personal collection and those gifted to him by friends and family are showcased in glass cases.
One entire wall depicts the inception, foundation, growth and achievements of the NCPA. Alongside pictures of Dr. Bhabha laying its first brick on land reclaimed from the sea, moments from performances by notable musicians like Zakir Hussain and M.S. Subbulakshmi and actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapoor are displayed prominently.
Panel discussion
A panel discussion on the patronage of arts moderated by former journalist and founder of Literature Live, Anil Dharker, followed the inauguration. Panelists included filmmaker Shyam Benegal, poet Arundhati Subramaniam, Director General of the CSMVS Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and former NCPA director and theatre practitioner Vijaya Mehta.
