Lightness of Being is a lifelong exploration of abstraction and harmony.
Ardee Foundation announced The Lightness of Being, an official collateral project of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025–26, showcasing the contemplative and deeply resonant works of acclaimed artist Shobha Broota. The exhibition, curated by celebrated curator and cultural archivist Ina Puri, opened on 14 December 2025 at the historic Mocha Art Café, Fort Kochi.
At the heart of The Lightness of Being is Shobha Broota’s lifelong exploration of abstraction, harmony, and visual silence. Often described as “visual mantras,” her works employ rhythmic patterns, textured surfaces and textile-inspired motifs that evoke stillness, balance and transcendence. Founded in 1997, Ardee Foundation has, for nearly three decades, fostered creativity, critical inquiry, and cultural engagement. Today, under the leadership of Shefali Varma, the foundation continues to build transformative intersections between art, education, and community. Shefali Varma also serves on the Advisory Council of the Kochi Biennale Foundation.
Through Ina Puri’s curatorial vision, shaped by decades of engagement with Indian artists, Broota’s works encounter the architecture of the Mocha Art Café in a way that amplifies their meditative force. The exhibition creates an immersive environment where materiality, light, and quietude converge into a contemplative experience. “Shobha Broota’s work carries a rare serenity and a spiritual intelligence that feels both timeless and urgently needed in today’s world. Presenting her at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is a privilege, and we hope this exhibition offers visitors a moment of stillness, intimacy, and connection to their inner landscapes.” says Shefali Varma.
“Shobha Broota’s practice is grounded in discipline, intuition, and spiritual enquiry. Her canvases vibrate with an inner rhythm that transcends aesthetic gesture. Presenting her work in the intimate setting of Mocha Art Café allows audiences to experience the depth, purity, and quiet power of her art in a space that amplifies its meditative resonance.” adds curator Ina Puri. “My work is a search for balance and silence—a way of tuning into the inner self. I am grateful to Ardee Foundation and to Ina Puri for creating this opportunity for my art to meet new audiences in Kochi. The Biennale is a space for discovery, and I hope visitors find a moment of peace within these works.” says artist Shobha Broota.
The exhibition will remain on view through the duration of the Biennale, welcoming collectors, critics, students, and the wider public to engage with a practice that continues to influence the vocabulary of Indian abstraction.
