Essere: Niyamat Mehta on Sculpting Identity, Presence, and Transformation

At Bikaner House, sculptor Niyamat Mehta unveils Essere, a bronze-and-marble exhibition that meditates on the meaning of “to be.”

- TBG NETWORK

Rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary energy, the works explore resilience, grace, and transformation—inviting audiences to reflect on identity, presence, and the fluid nature of existence.

1. Essere” translates to ‘to be’—what does this title mean to you, and how does it shape the narrative of the exhibition?

A.Essere” translates as to be, but for me it is far more than a linguistic expression — it is a philosophical cornerstone. The word embodies the state of existence, presence, and becoming, and it captures the quiet but persistent question at the heart of this exhibition: what does it mean to be? Each sculpture in Essere — whether equine, human, or mythological — is a manifestation of that inquiry. To be resilient, to be graceful, to be in motion, to be still. The title shapes the narrative by uniting these forms into a meditation on identity and transformation, where the act of being’ is not static but fluid, shifting, and deeply personal. In this way, Essere is less a statement and more an invitation: to witness presence, and perhaps, to reflect upon one’s own.

2. Your sculptures are cast in bronze and mounted on Makrana marble. Why did you choose these traditional materials, and how do they enhance your artistic expression?