Jan 31 - Apr 06, 2025
Reena Saini Kallat
Curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta
A solo survey exhibition of artist Reena Saini Kallat, one of India’s most eminent artists, who is also an alumnus of the Sir J.J. School of Art, which shared an umbilical and historic link with the Museum.
Saini Kallat’s practice reflects a deep engagement with themes of injustice and man’s hubris, which is evident in the ways we interact and care for each other, and for the planet. Advocating for a renewed awareness of the interconnections that sustain life on earth, her work is a poetic plea for a kinder, gentler, more equitable world.
Every Sat & Sun
11:30 am (English) and 12:30 pm (Marathi/Hindi)
Free walkthroughs of the Museum and ongoing exhibitions are conducted by members of the Education team. Free and open to all. No prior registration required.
27 March - 30 March, 2025
Film and lecture series with Richard Peña, Director Emeritus, New York Film Festival; Professor Emeritus of Film and Media Studies, Columbia University
This 4-day film and lecture series will explore the intellectual and artistic roots of this movement, tracing its development through four of its most important phases and tendencies.
Sat, 23 March, 2025 | 11 am
Devpriya Biyani and Minaz Ansari
Odissi dancer Devpriya Bihani brings the magic of water to life through movement, while author Minaz Ansari reads from her joyful picture book Paani Party, reminding us of water’s incredible value and the need for a more meaningful relationship with it.
Sat, 16 March, 2025 | 11 am
Dipna Daryani
“Mi casa es su casa” is a Spanish phrase meaning “My house is your house,” a warm expression of welcome. How can movement help us deepen our understanding of what home truly means?
Sat, 15 Mar 2025 | 5 pm
Neha Kulkarni and Akshay Shimpi
A dastangoi performance that explores an individual's attempt to break free from the endless cycle of life and death.
Sat, 1 Mar 2025 | 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
Join us for the walkthrough of the exhibition, Cartographies of the Unseen with artist Reena Saini Kallat and curator Tasneem Zakaria Mehta. Saini Kallat is one of India’s most eminent artists, who is also an alumnus of the Sir J.J. School of Art, an institution that shared an umbilical and historic link with the Museum.
Sun, 2 Mar 2025 | 5:30 pm
In collaboration with HarperCollins
Book launch of The Other Mohan in Britain’s Indian Ocean Empire, featuring a conversation between author Amrita Shah and Murali Ranganathan.
On a quest to understand why her great-grandfather, Mohanlal, set sail for South Africa from pre-independent India, Amrita Shah takes the reader into an era of unprecedented global mobility. Extensively researched in India, South Africa, Mauritius and Britain, the book delves into the history of the Indian diaspora in the western Indian Ocean to discover modern India’s many ancestors.
Sat, 15 Feb, 2025 | 4 – 5 pm
with Priya Aga
This session explores Reena Saini Kallat’s artwork 'Terra Firma: Chronicle of flawed Calculations', on view at the Museum, alongside a reading of 'Christopher the Ogre Cologre', It’s Over!' by Rebeldita the Fearless and Dr Siu. Through art and stories, we’ll uncover how maps tell stories of power and exploration!
Sat, 22 Feb, 2025 | 5:30 pm
In collaboration with Alliance Française de Bombay
Shot in New Delhi, Bombay, Simla, Budapest, and Paris, the film presents a fragmented life story, drawing on Amrita Sher-Gil's letters to her loved ones. It explores her commitment to painting and her extraordinary life, which has made her as legendary as iconic Indian movie stars like Smita Patil or Raj Kapoor.
The screening will be followed by an online Q&A session with the film director, Patrick Cazals and Museum Director, Tasneem Zakaria Mehta.
The Museum offers a rich selection of learning and outreach programmes focused on providing stimulating, participatory experiences that respond to different age, interest and language groups, and recognize a diversity of backgrounds. These experiences are aimed at creatively engaging with the Museum’s collection of artworks and exhibitions, encouraging critical engagement with Mumbai’s history, and artistic and cultural developments.
Going forward, the Museum will continue to offer online as well as on-site programmes.
26 March - 27 March 2025 | 11 am
Did you know trees have a secret chatroom underground?
Beneath the forest floor lies a hidden world where roots and fungi form an intricate communication system—often called the "wood wide web." Trees whisper to each other, share nutrients, and work together to support biodiversity, prevent erosion, and even combat climate change. Join us for an interactive online session where we’ll uncover the remarkable ways trees sustain and protect each other.
The session will be via Zoom.
Register Here
Sat, 8 Mar 2025 | 11:00 am–12:00 pm
with Priya Aga
This Women's Day, join us for our next Read with Me session featuring Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Illustrated by female artists from around the world, this inspiring collection introduces us to extraordinary women who changed history.
Age: 7 years and above, parents can accompany the children.
Register Here
Sun, 2 Mar 2025 | 8:30 am–10:30 am
with Sananda Mukhopadhyaya
Join us for a guided Tree Walk, as we discover the stories behind the city’s resilient trees, learn how rapid development has shaped our green spaces, and reflect on what we can do to protect them. We conclude the walk at the Museum, where we will discuss Saini Kallat's works in our ongoing exhibition, Cartographies of the Unseen.
Register Here
English: Tue, 18 Feb, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hindi: Fri, 21 Feb, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
In collaboration with STEAM Academy of Sciences
Ever wondered how much water goes into everything we use? From the food on our plates to the clothes we wear, water plays a crucial role in their production.
Join us for an online session to explore the different categories of water footprints and their impact on our planet. Learn how our daily choices contribute to water consumption and discover simple yet effective ways to reduce your water footprint.
Charges: Free
The session will be held online on Zoom. Please register here to receive the Zoom link.
This session is inspired by the ongoing Museum exhibition ‘Cartographies of the Unseen’ by Reena Kallat, curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta. The exhibition is on view till 6 April 2025.
Sun, 23 Feb, 2025 | 11 am – 12:30 pm
Can you create poetry by erasing words from existing texts? Join our upcoming workshop, inspired by the artworks of Reena Saini Kallat, and learn how to create poems or prose through the act of erasure.
The Children’s Book Corner is an initiative launched by the Museum in 2024. It is located in the Museum Cafe situated in quiet, green space of the Museum Plaza, allowing children to indulge and develop reading habits which has proven health benefits in addition to being educational and fun! The collection of books include publications in English, Hindi and Marathi across genres such as history, art, natural environment, and books on Mumbai. Monthly book reading and story telling sessions are also organised with authors and educators as part of this initiative.
Free and open to all through the week except Wednesday and select public holidays.
The books cannot be taken out of the premises.
Timings: 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to revisit our past talks by
eminent scholars.
Know More
Solve riddles inspired by the Museum's permanent collection and
win prizes!
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Join us as we explore our past exhibitions and discuss their
continuing relevance.
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Share your artworks inspired by the Museum objects!
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Established in 1857, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad is the oldest Museum
in Mumbai. It is a treasure house of decorative & industrial art
objects. The richly designed interiors of the Museum include the
encaustic Minton tiles, imported for the Museum in the late 19th
century. These patterns, found on the Grand Staircase & the
Mumbai Gallery, are a treat for our visitors and are an
important part of the city's history.
Know More
Piece-by-piece, make a Masterpiece!
How long does it take you to solve this jigsaw puzzle?
Share a screenshot and tag us @bdlmuseum on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
BDL Museum is now on Spotify!
Tune into our curated playlist inspired by the BDL Museum's collection of Ragamala miniature paintings! The Ragamalas in the Museum’s collection are from the Jaipur school of miniatures. Ragamala, meaning 'garland of ragas', is a set of miniature paintings that depict personified ragas of Indian classical music. A raga is a melodic framework in Indian classical music with symbolic associations such as seasons, time, and mood. It is meant to evoke certain emotions among the listeners. Ragas also provide room for improvisation to musicians and singers.
The playlist features some of the most celebrated artists in Indian classical music. It begins with spirited morning ragas, progressing into soulful evening ragas.
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai City Museum seeks to serve the community as an Institution dedicated to excellence in cultural education through exhibitions and unique visual and intellectual media
An Institution of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Supported by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Restored by INTACH, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Rani Baug),
91/A, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road,
Byculla East Mumbai 400027 India
T: +91 22 23741234
10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Closed on all Wednesdays and select public holidays.
