The Body of the Ascetic

For centuries, the ascetic has been one of the most compelling figures in Indian life and culture - appearing as a saint, mystic, wanderer, teacher and spiritual seeker.

Curated by art critic Gayatri Sinha, The Body of the Ascetic explores how this enduring figure has been depicted in art across the Indian subcontinent - from colonial-era depictions to bold modern interpretations - bringing together paintings, textiles, prints, and photographs from DAG's extensive collection. Spanning traditions including Jainism, Buddhism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Islamic and Sufi practice, the exhibition reveals the many ways artists have interpreted lives shaped by devotion, discipline and renunciation.

On view at DAG Mumbai through 4 September 2026.

Monday to Saturday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

What to Expect:

1. The ascetic body in Indian art, from colonial-era depictions by Marius Bauer and William Daniell to bold modern interpretations by Bikash Bhattacharjee, M. A. R. Chughtai, M. V. Dhurandhar and Bireswar Sen.

2. A standout work - Shatrunjaya Patha - a large-scale textile mapping the sacred Jain pilgrimage site of Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana, Gujarat.

3. Depictions of powerful, historically significant ascetic figures - Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Vallabhacharya, Sri Chaitanya, Sant Haridas and Tulsidas - whose lives shaped religious and cultural histories across India.