Honouring a Visionary Eye
Posted On
Chatterjee & Lal Unveils the Private Collection of Architect Sohrabji K Bhedwar
Mumbai’s Chatterjee & Lal gallery is currently home to a landmark exhibition that bridges architecture and art collecting in a striking tribute to a creative titan of the 20th century. Titled Building the Past: An Architect Collector, the show brings to light the lesser-known passion of celebrated architect Sohrabji K Bhedwar — his deep, decades-long engagement with classical Indian and Nepali sculpture and miniature art.
Though Bhedwar’s name rings familiar in architectural circles — especially for Mumbai residents who admire the elegant contours of the Eros Theatre at Churchgate — his influence stretches far beyond the urban skyline. As co-founder of Bhedwar & Bhedwar, he played a critical role in shaping several of Mumbai’s iconic Art Deco and Indo-Saracenic buildings, including the Syndicate Bank Building in Fort and Queens Court opposite the Oval Maidan. Yet, behind the drawing board, Bhedwar was also curating something equally magnificent: a private art collection widely regarded as one of India’s most significant, especially in the field of metalwork.
For the first time since his passing, this exceptional collection is being shared with the public at Chatterjee & Lal. The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to view more than just artefacts — it presents a window into the aesthetic values and historical curiosity that defined Bhedwar’s artistic vision. As visitors explore the works on display, they are not only witnessing fine examples of South Asian artistry but are also stepping into the mind of a collector who approached art with an architect’s precision and an aesthete’s sensitivity.
Spanning over 30 years of careful acquisition, the collection comprises exquisite bronze sculptures and intricately detailed miniature paintings from India and Nepal. Each piece reflects Bhedwar’s discerning eye, evident in the precision of form, balance, and iconographic detailing. While his architectural work was rooted in structural ingenuity and civic function, his collection reveals a parallel devotion to spiritual and artistic heritage — particularly to objects that carry with them centuries of cultural resonance.
According to those familiar with the collection, Bhedwar had a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and symbolism embedded in each object. His bronzes, in particular, are said to be among the finest in private hands, rivaling even institutional holdings in their quality and variety. Whether it’s a serene image of a standing Buddha from the Kathmandu Valley or a dynamic depiction of a Hindu deity in motion, these sculptures capture a timeless grace and spiritual presence.
What sets this exhibition apart is not only the rarity of the works but also the curatorial sensitivity with which they’ve been presented. Chatterjee & Lal, known for their insightful exhibitions and historical engagements, have arranged the pieces in a manner that allows viewers to trace Bhedwar’s intellectual and emotional journey as a collector. The gallery transforms into a meditative space, where architecture and art, history and personal narrative, converge.
For lovers of Indian art history, connoisseurs of sculpture, and anyone intrigued by the inner worlds of creative minds, Building the Past is an unmissable event. It’s a powerful reminder that behind every great structure may lie a deeper, more personal architectural passion — one built not from stone and steel, but from reverence, curiosity, and devotion.
The exhibition runs until 30th July 2025 at Chatterjee & Lal, 01/18 Kamal Mansion, Arthur Bunder Road, Mumbai.
