While Homi Jehangir Bhabha is world-renowned as a genius scientist and the ‘father of India’s Nuclear Programme,’ a deeper look into his life reveals that he was also an accomplished artist with an immense passion for different art forms For him, they were far more than mere pastimes or leisure activities and held a level of significance equal to his endeavours in mathematics and physics He eloquently expressed that the arts were the essence of a meaningful existence

Born on October 30th, 1909, in Bombay, Homi Bhabha was fortunate to be immersed in an environment of constant learning from a tender age The family's collection of books encompassed history, literature, and poetry, a treasure trove curated by his grandfather, an educator named Hormusi Additionally, his father, Jehangir Hormusji Bhabha, had acquired an eclectic array of illustrated volumes focused on the Italian Renaissance, along with the works of Spanish, Flemish, Dutch, British, and French masters during his time at Oxford

During his formative years, he was privileged to receive art instruction in the traditional academic style from the meticulous tutor Mr Jehangir Lalkaka He garnered recognition by securing numerous awards for artists under 18 at the Annual Exhibitions of the Bombay Art Society Notably, among his triumphs was a self-portrait crafted at the age of 17, an earnest endeavour emulating Rembrandt's technique

In parallel, Homi Bhabha's early exposure to a rich musical landscape cultivated a profound affinity for music, acquainting himself with the masterpieces of Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Haydn, and Schubert, including symphonies, concertos, and chamber compositions His musical appreciation extended to a diverse spectrum of classical works by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Dvorak, Tschaikovsky, and other esteemed composers

Upon his arrival at Cambridge in October 1927, Homi Bhabha promptly embarked on the study of harmony and counterpoint He frequently synchronised recorded music with its corresponding score and ventured into the realm of composition, crafting essays including a symphony echoing Mozart's style Over time, Bhabha's adoration for Mozart's music flourished, culminating in profound appreciation 

His contributions to the art world were, however, not limited to his compositions Beginning in the early 1950s, Bhabha initiated the establishment of the TIFR collection, which, in a span of merely a decade, burgeoned into the preeminent compilation of Indian modern art worldwide Bhabha's institutional support stemmed from his artistic leanings and his aspiration to cultivate the aesthetic discernment of the institute's scientists