Mumbai’s art calendar this season welcomes The Eternal Within, a solo exhibition by Mumbai-based artist Dr Douglas John, presented by Burgundy Art Gallery. Opening on September 30 and continuing until October 5, 2026, at Jehangir Art Gallery’s Auditorium Hall, the exhibition features a new body of work inspired by Solapur’s centuries-old Gadda Yatra festival.
A Festival as Artistic Inspiration
The exhibition draws from the visual culture and collective memory of the Gadda Yatra, a pilgrimage associated with Shri Siddharameshvara, the patron saint of Solapur. Held annually around Makar Sankranti, the event has brought together devotees from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for more than six centuries. Distinctive elements of the festival, including white garments worn by pilgrims and red tilaks, become recurring visual motifs in John’s paintings.
Rather than documenting the pilgrimage directly, the artist uses these references as points of departure for broader reflections on faith, human connection and personal transformation.
The Search for a Shared Human Experience
According to John, the figures in the exhibition are intentionally free from defined religious or caste identities. The artist describes them as universal human presences moving through fields of darkness, colour and light, where illuminated pathways suggest an inward journey rather than a physical destination.
Many of the works depict anonymous faces and bodies that appear both as part of a procession and as solitary individuals. This tension between community and individuality forms a central theme throughout the exhibition, inviting viewers to consider what connects people across different backgrounds and experiences.
Continuing a Long Engagement with Light
John’s interest in themes of pilgrimage and illumination has appeared in earlier projects including Light ‘n’ Light, In Search of Light and Inner Divinity. His paintings often explore the symbolic role of light as a spiritual and emotional force, drawing from memories of Solapur and experiences of urban life in Mumbai.
Born in Solapur and now based in Mumbai, the artist studied at the historic Sir J. J. School of Art, where he completed his formal art education before joining the institution as a faculty member. His practice spans painting, sculpture and video, and he has exhibited widely in India.
Burgundy Art Gallery’s Presentation
The exhibition is presented by Burgundy Art Gallery, founded by Sapna Kar, which has been involved in exhibitions and collaborative art projects across Mumbai’s contemporary art scene. Recent initiatives have included curatorial partnerships and exhibitions featuring emerging and established artists.
Speaking about the exhibition, Kar describes the works as reflections on dialogue, stillness and the symbolic presence of light. She notes that the exhibition engages with ideas of “Indianness” while exploring light as both a physical phenomenon and a social and spiritual force.
Highlights of the Exhibition
- New paintings inspired by Solapur’s Gadda Yatra festival
- Recurring imagery of pilgrims dressed in white
- Explorations of identity beyond religious and social labels
- Themes of light, spirituality and collective memory
- Works examining the relationship between community and individuality
Venue and Visitor Information
The Eternal Within will be held at Jehangir Art Gallery (Auditorium Hall), one of Mumbai’s best-known exhibition venues located in the Kala Ghoda arts district. The exhibition opens on September 30 and remains on view through October 5, 2026.
Event Details
| Event | Details |
| Title | The Eternal Within |
| Artist | Dr Douglas John |
| Venue | Jehangir Art Gallery (Auditorium Hall), Mumbai |
| Opening Date | 30 September 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 30 September – 5 October 2026 |
| Organiser | Burgundy Art Gallery |
Takeaway
Through The Eternal Within, Douglas John transforms a long-standing cultural tradition into a contemporary reflection on faith, identity and human connection. By drawing on the visual language of the Gadda Yatra while moving beyond specific religious narratives, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to consider shared experiences that transcend social boundaries. In doing so, it contributes to ongoing conversations about cultural memory, spirituality and the role of art in fostering understanding within diverse communities.
