Gupta, on the other hand is explicitly political, her latest sound installation, Tryst with Destiny is a singing microphone that has a recording of Nehru’s speech on the day of Independence. This work is off set by a light piece that spells out the words, Blind stars, Stars blind. These works were shown at Bodhi, Berlin and now travel to Mumbai to be shown at Bodhi Gallery in Kala Ghoda and Bodhi Space at Orange Gate, from October 11 to 31.

“I am also showing two shadow play pieces that are interactive. Personal photographs of children who cover each others eyes, ears and mouths in a hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil gesture. The overarching theme of the show is the coalescing of the personal and political,” says Gupta, who’s work also comments on the proliferation of electronic gadgets and the unending crowds of Mumbai.

Crowds are something that interests Galhotra as well. Her canvases speak of the clash of masses of humanity with teeming concrete structures. Mannequin-guards dressed in fatigues that are covered with images of these structures appear to patrol the gallery space while gold lettered signs caution the viewer of Work in progress. “I was inspired by the upheaval of construction in Delhi—the Master Plan 2010—but what you see is generic cities, my comment is on environmental degradation and the costs future generations pay in the bargain,” says Galhotra whose show at Project 88, Colaba, is on till October 18.