Dhoomimal Gallery presented Staged Realities, a solo exhibition by Nayanaa Kanodia, which opened on April 11 at CCA, Bikaner House. Curated by Archana Khare-Ghose.
The preview evening was attended by eminent guests, including Sakti Burman, Yashodhara Dalmia, Gita Prakash, Prayag Shukla, Sushma Bahl, Actor Nasser Abdullah, Neelam Pratap Rudy, Aman Nath, Navin Ansal, Raseel Gujral, Samar Jodha, Fouzia Dastango, Rennie Joy, Aarti Khetarpal, among others.
A pioneer of Naïve Art in India, Kanodia is known for her distinctive visual language that captures the many layers of Mumbai—from its bustling streets to the private worlds of its elite. Blending sensitivity with gentle humour, her works reflect on class, gender, and the rhythms of urban life.
Nayanaa Kanodia said,
“My work has always come from observing the world around me, especially a city like Mumbai which is always in flux. I’m drawn to small moments, everyday situations, and the many contradictions that exist within them. Over time, these observations turn into detailed, almost staged compositions where reality blends with imagination. This exhibition brought together works from different phases of my journey, but what connects them is a continued curiosity about people, their spaces, and the subtle stories they carry.”
Bringing together a selection of recent and earlier works, the exhibition offered a glimpse into her evolving practice and long-standing engagement with the city.
Uday Jain of Dhoomimal Gallery said,
“Nayanaa Kanodia has quietly built a very distinctive voice over the years, staying committed to her style while the art world has constantly shifted around her. What makes her work special is the way she observes life—whether it’s the chaos of the streets or the stillness of private spaces—and brings it all together with a certain lightness and honesty.”
Curator Archana Khare-Ghose said,
“What I find compelling about Nayanaa’s work is her ability to stay with the everyday and still make it feel layered and meaningful. She doesn’t chase the dramatic—instead, she pays attention to the ordinary, and in doing so, reveals so much about how we live, behave, and relate to each other. There’s a certain warmth and wit in her practice, but also an underlying sharpness. This exhibition was a reminder that even the most familiar scenes can hold complex stories if we take the time to really look.”
Bringing together a selection of recent and earlier works, Staged Realities offered a comprehensive glimpse into Kanodia’s evolving practice. The exhibition reflected her long-standing engagement with Mumbai while also highlighting her unique ability to document social realities through a deeply personal and accessible visual language.
As part of the exhibition, a workshop for differently abled students was conducted on April 12, 2026 at Bikaner House in collaboration with Access For ALL, an accessibility and inclusion-focused organisation working across arts and culture.
Open to all – 12th – 20th April 2026
Time – 11 am – 07pm
Venue – CCA, Ground Floor, Bikaner House, New Delhi
