In South Mumbai’s ‘Heritage Mile’, home to many colonial buildings, including the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, there’s a hidden gem. It is Sarmaya’s new outpost, which opened last month on the second floor of the 146-year-old Lawrence & Mayo building in Fort.

The 3,500 sq.ft. space, once home to a bank, now houses the decade-old hybrid museum’s archive — a repository of art, artefacts, and living traditions from across the subcontinent. With large arched windows, floor to ceiling bookshelves, exposed wooden beams, and comfortable chairs strewn about, it is cosy and welcoming. A gorgeous Gond painting on the wall looks on as visitors quietly research or browse the pieces on display.

Founded in 2015 by Paul Abraham, art patron and former COO of IndusInd Bank, Sarmaya is designed to be a haven for research and exploration. Their collection features modern and contemporary art, indigenous and community art, photography, numismatics, and rare books. “We also have rare maps, prints, and engravings,” says Abraham, who has been collecting for over four decades. And while they hosted exhibitions, talks and walkthroughs at their Dadar archive, he felt it was time to expand, “invite more people in” and allow a new generation to interact with the objects. “We hope this space sparks a love for, and curiosity about, India’s diverse art, culture, and heritage.”

At the new archive, Sarmaya plans to expand its programming calendar to offer more exhibitions, talks, and micro-curated events for students, senior citizens, art lovers, and researchers.

Sarmaya’s collection features modern and contemporary art, photography, numismatics, rare books, and more | Photo Credit: Hashim Badani

Restoration and micro-curation

Abraham and his partner Pavitra Rajaram, of the Mumbai-based practice Pavitra Rajaram Design, discovered the derelict space in January. “Pavitra saw beyond the peeling paint and dusty floors, focusing on the potential to create something meaningful,” he says. Sustainability and repurposing were important to the couple, so rather than making it overly polished, the goal was to honour the building’s history.

Paul Abraham and Pavitra Rajaram

“As we worked on the renovation, we uncovered beautiful Burma teak [on the ceiling and arches] and Maillard stone [on the wall], bringing out the character and integrity of the original structure,” shares Rajaram. “The central area is inspired by communal courtyards, designed to be an inviting, peaceful place that encourages interaction and quiet reflection.”

One of the main reasons Abraham decided to invest in a dedicated space was to try something different. “You have the big museum model, with everything displayed and just a bit of information, and then there are the galleries with shows that come with a commercial angle,” he explains. “With Sarmaya, we wanted something distinct.”

Their approach is all about micro-curation. Rather than staging large-scale exhibitions, they focus on tailored experiences. “If someone walks in without any idea of what they want to see, we’ll guide them through a sample of our collection,” he says. “But if you have a specific interest, we encourage you to let us know in advance [through the website]. Then, we’ll pull out relevant pieces, be it books, artworks, or photographs, for a more personalised experience.” This way, Sarmaya becomes a space for discovery — where the experience can be as casual or as deep as each visitor wants it to be.

Shared stories

The new space boasts a library of over 15,000 titles, including rare and out-of-print works, making it one of the few places in the city where such a rich collection is shared intimately and engagingly. Among the art, standout pieces include a Saura painting from Odisha and a Bhil painting by Bhuri Bai, who was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021. Historian Manu S. Pillai and author Ira Mukhoty were among Sarmaya’s inaugural guest speakers this month, as part of Sarmaya Talks. Starting early 2025, Sarmaya will also host exhibitions.

Sarmaya boasts a library of over 15,000 titles | Photo Credit: Hashim Badani

Currently, only 20% of Abraham’s private collection is on display at Fort, with plans to rotate the collection quarterly. To preserve these precious items, Sarmaya ensures that the objects are kept in temperature- and humidity-controlled environments. “We conduct regular audits to check for mould, infestation, or any signs of deterioration, and we bring in expert help for restoration and repair when needed. This helps maintain the integrity of our collection so that these stories can be shared for generations,” Abraham says. And enable deeper, meaningful engagement with India’s diverse cultural stories.