Mumbai’s Vanishing Corners Immortalized in Mena Malgavkar’s Art

Amidst the towering glass structures reshaping Mumbai’s skyline, artist Mena Malgavkar is preserving the city’s disappearing heritage through her evocative paintings. Her latest exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery captures the essence of Mumbai’s old-world charm, turning forgotten corners into timeless collectibles.  

Malgavkar’s works, a blend of acrylics, watercolors, and pen-and-ink sketches, depict everyday scenes—laundry strung across balconies, the glow of kirana store jars, and intricate wrought iron balconies. Each piece tells a story of a city in transition, where historic neighborhoods are slowly giving way to modern high-rises.  

Visitors to the exhibition find themselves immersed in nostalgia, recognizing familiar yet fading landmarks. From the bustling Bhuleshwar Hardware Shop to the quiet lanes of Prabhadevi, Malgavkar’s art serves as a visual archive of Mumbai’s past.  

A former advertising professional, Malgavkar now teaches design at Atlas University and École Intuit in Mumbai. Her artistic journey, shaped by childhood influences and literary inspirations, has led her to showcase her work internationally, including in Paris, Dubai, and Qatar.  

As Mumbai continues to evolve, Malgavkar’s paintings stand as a testament to the city’s rich architectural and cultural legacy, ensuring that its forgotten corners remain etched in memory.  

Sources: Hindustan Times, MSN India, Jehangir Art Gallery, Monda Gallery