BECOMING: The Many Contours of Children’s Book Art in India to Open in Mumbai on October 2
Discover the evolution of Indian children's book illustration at the BECOMING exhibition in Mumbai, featuring 100+ works by 65 illustrators.
LABEL: FOCUS: childrens book art exhibition Mumbai LABEL: SEO_TITLE: Childrens Book Art Exhibition Opens in Mumbai LABEL: SEO_DESC: Explore the history and future of Indian children's book illustration at the BECOMING exhibition in Mumbai starting October 2. LABEL: TAGS: Lifestyle, India News, Mumbai News LABEL: SLUG: childrens-book-art-exhibition-mumbai
BECOMING: The Many Contours of Children’s Book Art in India to Open in Mumbai on October 2
A spectacular celebration of visual storytelling is coming to the maximum city. BECOMING: The Many Contours of Children’s Book Art in India, an exhibition dedicated to the rich history and vibrant future of Indian children's book illustration, is set to open its doors in Mumbai on October 2, 2026.
Hosted at the P.L. Deshpande Gallery within the P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy in Prabhadevi, this 10-day event offers a deep dive into how art shapes the way young readers perceive the world. Curated by award-winning author and Pickle Yolk Books publisher Richa Jha, the exhibition brings together a massive collection of over 100 illustrations created by 65 different illustrators, representing 26 various publishers.
A Journey Through Time and Identity
The exhibition is built around the central theme of "becoming." Through the lens of Indian picture books, it explores how visual language evolves to reflect changing identities, shifting community perspectives, and the complex web of human relationships. It is not just a display of drawings, but a study of how art helps readers of all ages connect with their surroundings.
One of the most significant highlights is a dedicated section tracing the historical roots of Indian illustration. Visitors can witness the evolution of the craft through the works of legendary Bengali masters, including:
- Abanindranath Tagore
- Upendranath Kishore Roychowdhury
- Sukumar Ray
- Nandalal Basu
- Satyajit Ray
The historical journey reaches back as far as 1896, featuring a rare illustration by Abanindranath Tagore from his seminal work, Khirer Putul.
Interactive Experiences and Learning
BECOMING is designed to be much more than a passive viewing experience. It is a multi-sensory event tailored for a wide demographic, including children, art students, educators, librarians, and publishing professionals. The exhibition features several engaging components:
Workshops and Performances
For those looking to dive deeper into the craft, a series of workshops will be available for art enthusiasts and students aged 18 and above. These sessions will be led by talented illustrators such as Deepa Balsavar, Shilpa Ranade, Kripa, Ruchi Shah, Ruchi Mhasane, Rishi Sahany, and Tanvi Bhat. Additionally, school students can enjoy unique book-led performances by Lavanya Karthik and Sanket Pethkar.
Curatorial Tours and Reading Corners
To provide expert context, daily curatorial tours will be held at 4 pm from October 5 to 9. For those who simply want to get lost in stories, a dedicated reading corner will house nearly 300 additional picture books, allowing visitors to browse the very books represented in the exhibition.
Event Details at a Glance
- Dates: Starting October 2, 2026 (10-day duration)
- Venue: P.L. Deshpande Gallery, P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
- Timings: 11 am to 8 pm
This non-commercial initiative aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the role illustration plays in the reading experience, placing historical legacies side-by-side with the cutting-edge styles of contemporary artists. The Mumbai edition is supported by Parag (an initiative of Tata Trusts), Takshila Educational Society, Stolen Moments, Jaipur BookMark, and The Coforge Public Library.