Jan 31 - Apr 06, 2025
Industrial Arts Gallery | 19th Century Gallery | Origins of Mumbai Gallery | Kamalnayan Bajaj Special Exhibitions Gallery | Special Projects Space |
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is pleased to present Cartographies of the Unseen, a solo survey exhibition of 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 the earth. She excavates troubled histories represented by barbed wires and alienated communities. Historic injustices manifest in arbitrary borders drawn by the colonial powers in former colonies, have produced much of the conflict that besets the world today. Saini Kallat deploys this as a powerful artistic trope to underscore her concerns and render prominent what becomes obscured by time and mediatic manipulation. The works have a particular resonance in the context of the Museum, which was an archetypal colonial institution engaged in controlling cultural narratives.
Nature on the other hand knows no boundaries and Saini Kallat imagines a world where conflicts are resolved and humanity lives in harmony through sharing and merging, subsuming vanities for the larger benefit of the species. Man’s hubris has produced various forms of climate catastrophes and accelerated the extinction of species, which the artist suggests can only be checked through the recognition of the profound values that bind us together. Advocating for a renewed awareness of the interconnections that sustain life on earth, Kallat’s work is a poetic plea for a kinder, gentler, more equitable world.
Supported by Chemould Prescott Road, Nature Morte and MasterArt Logistics
Sunday, April 6, 2025, 4 pm - 5 pm
8+ years
Rs 150 per participant.
Join us for a storytelling session and nature walk with Katie Bagli, where we uncover how birds, trees, and ecosystems are all connected! Katie will share stories from her book Birds of Different Feathers, an exciting tale about how herbivorous birds learn to live with a carnivorous bird, showing us the importance of harmony in nature.
The session is inspired by our ongoing exhibition ‘Cartographies of the Unseen’ by Reena Saini Kallat. Through Saini Kallat’s works, we’ll explore how man-made barriers affect animals, stopping their seasonal migrations, reducing diversity, and making survival harder in a changing climate.
A caregiver must accompany a child. An accompanying adult does not require a separate event ticket. Museum entry tickets are applicable to both.
Saturday, 5 April 2025, 11:00 am–12:00 pm
Join us for a walkthrough with Akanksha Gupta as she uncovers the politics of piped water, tracing its origins to British Bombay. The introduction of piped water systems was a turning point in the city's history and continues to shape its development today. As we explore Reena Saini Kallat’s works, we’ll discuss the city's water footprint and examine how artificial boundaries imposed on natural elements like rivers have shaped their course, along with the politics and consequences of these interventions.
Inspired by our exhibition 'Cartographies of the Unseen' on view until 6th April, curated by Tasneem Zakaria Mehta.
Charges: Rs. 250 per participant, limited spots.
Museum entry charges are applicable.
English: Wed, 26 March 2025
Hindi: Thurs, 27 March 2025
11 am–12 pm
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.
This session is inspired by our ongoing exhibition Cartographies of the Unseen by Reena Saini Kallat. It is conceptualised by the BDL Museum in collaboration with STEAM Academy, founded by Dr. A.P. Jayaraman. The talk will be delivered by Megha Haryani with an introduction of the exhibition by the Museum's education team.
Grade 5 - 7 | Charges: Free
The session will be via Zoom.
with Sananda Mukhopadhyaya
Sunday, 2 March 2025, 8:30 am–10:30 am
Join us for a guided Tree Walk, led by Sananda Mukhopadhyaya, as we trace the impact of urbanization on Mumbai’s tree cover. 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 Reena Saini Kallat's works in our ongoing exhibition, Cartographies of the Unseen.
Sananda Mukhopadhyaya is a theatre maker and arts-based educator. Having grown up with biologist parents she developed a kinship with the natural world, especially Trees. Through her tree walk titled ‘Mumbai Overstory’, she aims to make people more aware of the trees they share this island with and hopes this knowledge brings a spark of joy and wonder to their daily Mumbai lives.
Age: 18+
Charges: Rs. 250 per participant, limited spots
Museum entry charges applicable
Neha Kulkarni and Akshay Shimpi
Sat, 15 Mar 2025 | 5 pm
A dastangoi performance that explores an individual's attempt to break free from the endless cycle of life and death.
Devpriya Biyani and Minaz Ansari
Sat, 23 March, 2025 | 11 am
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.
Dipna Daryani
Sat, 16 March, 2025 | 11 am
“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?
with Priya Aga
Saturday, 15 February, 2025, 4 – 5 pm
From the 15th to the 17th century, European explorers set sail to chart unfamiliar lands and used maps to navigate. For a long time, these maps shaped our worldview.
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!
Age: 12 years and above
Charges: Rs 100, Museum ticket applicable separately. Parents can accompany their children with a museum ticket. Free for NGOs and BMC schools. Write to us at education@bdlmuseum.org
In collaboration with STEAM Academy of Sciences
English: Tue, 18 Feb, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hindi: Fri, 21 Feb, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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.
Charges: Free
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.
In collaboration with STEAM Academy of Sciences
Sunday, 23 February, 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 workshop will begin with a walkthrough of the ongoing exhibition, Cartographies of the Unseen . 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 the earth. Her work is a poetic plea for a kinder, gentler, and more equitable world, advocating for a renewed awareness of the interconnections that sustain life on Earth.
Age group: 12 years and above
Charges: Free, museum ticket applicable
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.
