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DR. BHAU DAJI LAD MUMBAI CITY MUSEUM

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Explore the Museum with the
curatorial team every weekend.
Saturdays
11:30 am English Tour
12:30 pm Hindi/Marathi Tour
Closed on Wednesdays.
Open to all.
Museum ticket applicable.

Museum Katta


Museum Katta, a curated programme series in Marathi, showcases historical and contemporary social and cultural practices in folk art, cinema, literature, theatre, music, and visual arts. It aims to be a mediator between artists and audience in building sensitive contemporary responses through pioneering historical projects, experiments, and programmes as a form of documentation.


Museum Katta | Lampan - a window and a mirror

Conceptualised by Chinmay Kelkar
Presented by Chinmay Kelkar & Sharvari Patankar

Fri, Mar 29, 2024
6 pm - 7 pm

Does a plant uprooted from one place and planted elsewhere survive? This is the question echoed in the story of Lampan, by Prakash Narayan Sant.

Lampan, a boy raised by his grandparents, leaves behind his parents, school, friends, siblings, and the city to go live in a village. This move shifts his entire perspective and he begins forging a new world for himself. This story delves into Lampan's emotional journey as he navigates the threshold of puberty, grappling with feelings of loneliness and the apprehension of being fractured.

This session will present excerpts from three of Sant's titles: Vanvas, Sharada Sangeet, and Pankha. We invite our audience to immerse themselves in Lampan's compelling tale and reflect on the intricate emotions it evokes.

Language: Marathi
Free and open to all. Seating on a first come, first serve basis.
REGISTER HERE

Past editions


Museum Katta | Ticha Shahar Hona
A special film screening followed by a conversation with writer and film director Rasika Agashe

Mar 08, 2024     05.30 pm onwards Read More  

This captivating film follows the life of Archana, an upper-middle-class working woman in Mumbai, and her encounter with Kiran Pawar, her house help. Archana's relationship with Kiran takes her on a transformative journey that unveils the intricate societal norms and prejudices that shape and define the city and people of Mumbai.

Marathi with English subtitles, 98 mins
Free and open to all above 15.


Museum Katta | Chaitanya Tamhane
In conversation with Abhay Sardesai, Writer, Art Historian and Editor of Art India

May 21, 2020     6 pm - 7 pm
Watch Online Read More  

After the success of his directorial debut 'Court', Chaitanya Tamhane has returned with 'The Disciple'. The Disciple won Best Screenplay Award and International Critics Prize at the Venice International Film Festival. The film has also been recently released on Netflix.

Our upcoming Museum Katta session will have writer, art historian, and editor of Art India, Abhay Sardesai in conversation with Chaitanya Tamhane to understand Tamhane's filmmaking journey, the inspiration behind the story, and the audience response to the film. The session will be conducted live via Zoom and followed by a Q&A with the viewers.

Language: Marathi


Manghe Sawali Urali | Bahinabai Chaudhari’s legacy and life
A performance by Harshada Borkar and Manvita Joshi

Mar 7, 2020     5 pm - 6.30 pm Read More  

'Mazi May Sarsoti', a performance in the style of a broadway musical, narrates the life story of Bahinabai Chaudhari - a woman born in Jalgaon in the late 19th century. Bahinabai could neither read nor write but her poems, based on her life experiences, are recognised today as a hallmark of Marathi literature. In this newly composed programme, Director Harshada Borkar and actor Manvita Joshi will bring forth Bahinabai’s thought process and poetry that they came across through their research for 'Mazi May Sarsoti'.

Bahinabai's verses indicate how she took everything in her stride, whether it was working on the farm, living a life of hardships as a daily wage worker, and supporting her family, and translated those experiences into her poetry. Artist Nalini Malani references Bahinabai's poems in her in-situ charcoal drawing 'City of Desires: People come and go' while exploring the idea of labour and life in a metropolis like Mumbai.

The experiential programme aims to familiarise audiences with Bahinabai’s legacy as a person and a poet.


Gandhi: Antim Parva | A performative reading of a theatre play by eminent playwright Ratnakar Matkari and his team
In collaboration with Popular Prakashan

Feb 13, 2020     5.30 pm - 8 pm Read More  

Book launch and a dramatic reading of Ratnakar Matkari's theatre play in Marathi,

Gandhi: Antim Parva

Produced by Pratibha Matkari

Presented by Yogesh Utekar, Apurva Paranjpe, Rohit Malve, Abhay Bhosle, Aaditya Kadam, Dipti Dandekar, Abhishek Salvi, Yogesh Khandekar and Ratnakar Matkari

Special guest: Ravindra Rukmini Pandharinath /p>

Eminent playwright Ratnakar Matkari has brought a new theatre production to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Matkari is known for his plays, mysterious stories, novels and intellectually stimulating write-ups in Marathi. Matkari himself has initiated the special readings of this play with a group of eight artists. The play will narrate the eventful moments of Mahatma Gandhi's last few days at Birla House, Delhi.

Coinciding with the play, Popular Publication will be launching a book 'Gandhi: Antim Parva'!

Save the date and do join us for the launch and reading of 'Gandhi: Antim Parva'! Select books published by Popular Publications will be available for the sale on the day of the programme.

About Popular Publications

Popular Publications is an 89-year-old publishing house that pioneered high-quality publishing in India. Popular has published works by renowned authors including sociologist G S Ghurye, historians D D Kosambi and Romila Thapar, and the political thinker Jayaprakash Narayan.

Popular is also the leading publisher for Marathi publications, many of which are regarded as the "Most important Marathi literature of the past fifty years". Popular has carved a unique position for itself by publishing major poets like Dilip Chitre, N.D.Mahanor, Vasat Bapat, Mangesh Padgaonkar; playwrights like Vijay Tendulkar, Vasant Kanetkar; novelists like Kiran Nagarkar, Bhalchandra Nemade among numerous other literary stalwarts.


Punha Chitre | Dramatic reading of Dilip Chitre's poetry | Presented by Prajakt Deshmukh, Sachin Shinde, Shripad Deshpande and Pranav Prabhakar

Apr 18, 2019     6 pm - 8 pm Read More  

Dramatic reading of Dilip Chitre’s poetry

In collaboration with Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd

Presented by Prajakt Deshmukh, Sachin Shinde, Shipad Deshpande and Pranav Prabhakar

In memory of eminent poet, critic and playwright Dilip Chitre, join us for an evening of dramatic readings of selected verses! Directed by Prajakt Deshmukh.

About Dilip Chitre:

Dilip Purushottam Chitre (1938-2009) was one of the foremost Indian writers and critics to emerge in post-Independence India. Apart from being a very important bilingual writer, writing in Marathi and English, he was also a painter and filmmaker.

He was born in Baroda on 17 September 1938. His father Purushottam Chitre used to publish a periodical named Abhiruchi which was highly treasured for its high, uncompromising quality. Dilip Chitre's family moved to Mumbai in 1951 and he published his first collection of poems in 1960. He was one of the earliest and the most important influences behind the famous "little magazine movement" of the sixties in Marathi. He started Shabda with Arun Kolatkar and Ramesh Samarth. In 1975, he was awarded a visiting fellowship by the International Writing Programme of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa in the United States. He has also worked as a director of the Indian Poetry Library, archive, and translation centre at Bharat Bhavan, a multi-arts foundation, Bhopal. He also convened a world poetry festival in New Delhi followed by an international symposium of poets in Bhopal.

His Ekun Kavita or Collected Poems were published in the nineteen-nineties in three volumes. 'As Is, Where Is' selected English poems (1964-2007) and "Shesha" English translation of selected Marathi poems both published by Poetrywala are among his last books published in 2007. He has also edited An Anthology of Marathi Poetry (1945–1965). He is also an accomplished translator and has prolifically translated prose and poetry. His most famous translation is of the celebrated 17th-century Marathi bhakti poet Tukaram (published as Says Tuka). He has also translated Anubhavamrut by the twelfth-century bhakti poet Dnyaneshwar.

​About Popular Publications:

Popular Prakashan is an 89-year-old publishing house that pioneered high-quality publishing in India. Popular has published works by renowned authors including sociologist G S Ghurye, historians D D Kosambi and Romila Thapar, and the political thinker Jayaprakash Narayan.

Popular is also the leading publisher for Marathi publications, many of which are regarded as the "Most important Marathi literature of the past fifty years". Popular has carved a unique position for itself by publishing major poets like Dilip Chitre, N.D.Mahanor, Vasant Bapat, Mangesh Padgaonkar; playwrights like Vijay Tendulkar, Vasant Kanetkar; novelists like Kiran Nagarkar, Bhalchandra Nemade among numerous other literary stalwarts.​


Celebrating P.L.Deshpande and G.D.Madgulkar
A session by renowned writer Pravin Davane and poet Arun Mhatre

Mar 30, 2019     5 pm - 7 pm Read More   

To celebrate the birth centenary of the legendary Marathi polymath P. L. Deshpande and renowned poet and lyricist G. D. Madgulkar, the Museum is hosting a programme that commemorates their contribution to Maharashtra's literary traditions.

Author Prof. Pravin Davane and poet Arun Mhatre will read select works and poems of P.L. Deshpande and G.D. Madgukar.


Parwa Aamcha Popat Warla
Dramatic reading of a theatre play by Atul Pethe

Dec 2, 2018     5 pm - 6.30 pm Read More   

Join us for a dramatic reading of 'Parva Aamcha Popat Warla', one-act play by Dr. Chandrashekhar Phansalkar! It's a light hearted satire weaved around the death of a pet bird. Atul Pethe will narrate the script.


Transition
A session by renowned actor Sandeep Kulkarni

Oct 28, 2018     5 pm - 6.30 pm Read More   

Actor and filmmaker, Sandeep Kulkarni pursued his studies at Sir J J School of Art, under mentorship of celebrated artists like Prabhakar Kolte & Atul Dodiya. Around the same time, he met with the renowned theatre director, Satyadev Dubey, marked his transition into acting!

Join us for Museum Katta with Sandeep Kulkarni as he shares his artistic journey from one medium to the other. He will also share his experiences of working on major projects like 'Mammo' by Shyam Benegal; 'Shwaas', considered as India’s entry to Oscar in 2004. He will also discuss his current relationship with the visual arts!


Powada Performance
Presented by Ganesh Chandanshive, Shahir Yashwant Jadhav and group

Sept 30, 2018     5 pm - 7 pm Read More   

M.V. Dhurandar's paintings skillfully capture significant moments in the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and depict the valour, aura and a humanitarian side of the heroic King.

Join us for a powada performance by renowned folk theatre artists Dr. Ganesh Chandanshive, Shahir Yashwant Jadhav and others who will recite traditional folk songs of this rich history against a backdrop of these paintings at the Museum.


Theatrical reading of short-essays by poet Vinda Karandikar | Presented by actor-poet Kishor Kadam and actor-writer Omkar Govardhan
In collaboration with Popular Prakashan

Aug 23, 2018     6 pm - 7.30 pm Read More   

23rd August 2018 concludes the birth centenary year of beloved poet and Jnanpith awardee Govind Vinayak alias Vinda Karandikar. To commemorate this, the Museum is delighted to present theatrical reading of his selected short essays that are critically acclaimed though lesser known ancillary of his practice.

About Vinda Karandikar:

His famous collection of poems includes Swedganga, Mrudgandha, Dhrupad and Jatak. His collection of short essays like 'Sparshachi Palav' and 'Aksharacha Artha' not only show his unique style of thinking but also his sharp wit. His selected poem, 'The Sacred Heresy' (1998) is available in English. A former professor of English at the SIES College, Mumbai, Karandikar translated Shakespear’s 'King Lear' (1974), Aristotle's 'Poetics' (1978), and Goethe’s 'Faust, Part 1' (1981) into Marathi.

Vinda wrote many poems for children, different from traditional nursery rhymes. He showed a good understanding of their little world of imagination, innocence and their thought process. These mystical, humorous and unique ideas can be found in popular collections like Ranichi Baag, Ekda Kaay Jhale, Ajabkhana, Sarkaswala and Pari Ga Pari.

Kishor Kadam and Omkar Govardhan will be presenting theatrical reading of short-essays by Vinda.

About Kishor Kadam:

Kishor Kadam is a well-known actor in both Marathi and Hindi movies. His roles in Special 26, Jogwa, Deool, have already made a mark. He started as a poet at a very young age. Writing under the epithet ‘Saumitra’, his lyrics for the album ‘Garwa’, can vouch for his poetic prowess. The rain themed song, with its magical lyrics and melodious voice of Milind Ingle had youngsters hooked to it.

About Omkar Govardhan:

Omkar Govardhan is best known for Kaminey (2009), Ha Bharat Maza (2012) and Sanshay Kallol (2013). He got recognized for his lead role in ‘Nilakanth Master’, a periodical film.

About Popular Publications:

Popular Prakashan is an 89-year-old publishing house that pioneered high-quality publishing in India. Popular has published works by renowned authors including sociologist G S Ghurye, historians D D Kosambi and Romila Thapar, and the political thinker Jayaprakash Narayan.

Popular is also the leading publisher for Marathi publications, many of which are regarded as the "Most important Marathi literature of the past fifty years". Popular has carved a unique position for itself by publishing major poets like Dilip Chitre, N.D.Mahanor, Vasat Bapat, Mangesh Padgaonkar; playwrights like Vijay Tendulkar, Vasant Kanetkar; novelists like Kiran Nagarkar, Bhalchandra Nemade among numerous other literary stalwarts.​


Aaj Ya Deshamadhe...
Presented by Chandrakant Kale

Aug 15, 2018     6 pm - 7 pm Read More   

To mark the Independence Day, the Museum has invited Chandrakant Kale, a well-known Marathi playback singer and actor to perform select poems that focus on sociological issues and ideas about independence of the post Independence era.

Compositions by renowned Marathi poets B. S. Mardhekar, Kusumagraj, Arun Kolatkar and V. D. Karandikar as well as verses by Menka Shivdasani, Nilmoni Phukan, G. S. Shivarudrappa, Shakti Chattopadhyay, A. K. Ramanujan, Ayyappa Panikkar, Akhtar Ul Iman, A. G. Sankara Pillai will be read during the performance. The poems in other Indian languages are translated in Marathi by Anupama Ujgare.

Chandrakant Kale's theatre academy 'Shabdvedh', has showcased programmes like 'Preetrang', 'Shevantiche Ban', 'Amrut Gatha' that offer fresh ideas and perspectives.


Vijay Tendulkar: Monologues from his plays
In collaboration with Popular Prakashan and Awishkar Theatre Group

June 21, 2018     6 pm - 7.30 pm Read More   

In memory of eminent playwright Vijay Tendulkar, join us for an evening of dramatic readings of selected acts from his plays! Enacted by the actors of the renowned theatre group, Awishkar.

Actors performing:

Sunil Joshi, Manasi Kulkarni, Chinmayi Sumit, Sushil Inamdar, Deepak Rajadhyaksha

About Vijay Tendulkar:

Vijay Tendulkar (1928 - 2008) was a leading dramatist of the twentieth century. He was playwright, screen and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, one act play writer, novelist, short story writer and social commentator. After 1950, he has been the most influential dramatist and theatre personality for the next five decades in Marathi. He wrote more than 30 full-length plays and numerous one-act plays. Some of Tendulkar’s most famous plays include ‘Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe’ (1967), ‘Sakharam Binder’ (1971), ‘Gidhade’ (1971) and ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ (1972).

Tendulkar began his career writing for newspapers and had a daily column in the Maharashtra Times. Tendulkar’s plays highlight the complexity of human relationships and contain a latent critique of modern Indian society. Tendulkar’s plays like Shakespeare’s plays are neither moral, nor immoral in tone but may rather be seen as amoral.

In addition to his plays, Tendulkar wrote screenplays in both Marathi and Hindi. His script for ‘Manthan’ (1976) won the National Film Award for best screenplay; for his literary accomplishments, Tendulkar received (1984) the Padma Bhushan award, one of India’s highest civilian honours. In 1998 he won the lifetime contribution award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. Tendulkar is the subject of the documentary ‘Tendulkar and Violence: Today and Yesterday’ and a short film, ‘Ankahin’, both released in 2007.

​About Popular Publications:

Popular Prakashan is an 89-year-old publishing house that pioneered high-quality publishing in India. Popular has published works by renowned authors including sociologist G S Ghurye, historians D D Kosambi and Romila Thapar, and the political thinker Jayaprakash Narayan.

Popular is also the leading publisher for Marathi publications, many of which are regarded as the "Most important Marathi literature of the past fifty years". Popular has carved a unique position for itself by publishing major poets like Dilip Chitre, N.D.Mahanor, Vasat Bapat, Mangesh Padgaonkar; playwrights like Vijay Tendulkar, Vasant Kanetkar; novelists like Kiran Nagarkar, Bhalchandra Nemade among numerous other literary stalwarts.​

About Awishkar:

Awishkar founded in 1971, is a theatre group formed to give free expression to the ideas and thoughts. It has always been a platform for performers from all faculties of art (adults and children alike), where their talents can be unraveled and channeled.

Awishkar has produced over 170 plays and staged more than 4,200 performances. Awishkar has organized 24 theatre festivals, including a theatre festival for young directors, dedicated to Vijay Tendulkar. In addition, more than 50 experimental theatre groups have staged more than 2000 performances at the Chhabildas Experimental Theatre, with the active co-operation of Awishkar.​​


Unfolding art of paper folding
Workshop by Swapnali Mathkar

June 10, 2018     11 am - 12.30 pm Read More   

Have you ever tried transforming a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques?

Learn about the art of Origami and its significance in the Japanese culture with photographer and children's author Swapnali Mathkar. Swapnali will also demonstrate how to create origami fruits, and the popular fruit gifting tradition of Japan!


Wonderful World of Birds | Slide presentation by Kiran Purandare
In collaboration with Jyotsna Prakashan,

June 3, 2018     5 pm - 6.30 pm Read More   

Have you ever spotted colourful birds in your neighbourhood or during your travels and wanted to know more about the species?

Learn about birds through a presentation given by wildlife expert Kiran Purandare. Purandare will share stories of native birds, their habitats, nesting behavior and the role of birds in the ecosystem.

Kiran Purandare has lived in the Nagzira Sanctuary for more than 1300 days since 2001 and was awarded by the Government of Maharashtra for best literary work (non-fiction) for his publications, 'Aabhalwatanche Pravasi' and 'Sakha Nagzira'.

During the presentation, Purandare will be imitating birds' calls.

Kindly note that the session will be conducted in Marathi.

About Jyotsna Prakashan:

Jyotsna Prakashan is a pioneer in children's literature and art technique books. It is simultaneously published in Marathi and English.

They​ have published​ all the works of renowned author and illustrator 'Madhuri Purandare'.​ ​Children's literature ​is profusely illustrated and moderately priced. It has story books, teen fictions, translations from some international publishers. Its range of art technique and craft books is unique of its kind.​ ​This publication house has​ ​also published some wonderful titles about wildlife and nature. These books are by Kiran Purandare and Neelimkumar Khaire and have received overwhelming response from nature lovers.


Retrospective of Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukathankar

May 14-20, 2018 (Except Wednesday, 16th May 2018)     5.30 pm - 8 pm Read More   

Sumitra Bhave, a social scientist-researcher turned to filmmaking with Sunil Sukthankar in 1985. They have directed 15 feature films, more than 50 short films, 5 TV serials and a few telefilms. The director duo also became producers so as to express socially important subjects independently and artistically. Their films have received 6 International Awards, 11 National Awards (including the Golden Lotus), several National level awards, more than 45 State awards and several State level awards.

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:

Monday, 14th May 2018 | Vastupurush: The Guardian Spirit of the House (Marathi with English Subtitles, 154 min, 2002)
A film on dismantling the feudal and caste structures to pave way for a new, socially-committed world view

Tuesday, 15th May 2018 | Devrai: Sacred Grove
(Marathi with English Subtitles, 120 min, 2004)
The metaphor of a 'Sacred Grove' applied to the mind of a Schizophrenic patient.

No screening on Wednesday as the Museum is closed to the public.

Thursday, 17th May 2018 | Samhita: The Script
(Marathi with English Subtitles,138 min, 2012)
A woman filmmaker's life narrated through the medium of her film's script.

Friday, 18th May 2018 | Ha Bharat Maza: India is my Country
(Marathi with English Subtitles, 115 min, 2011)
A middle-class family introspects their values against the background of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption agitation.

Saturday, 19th May 2018 | Nital (Clear)
(Marathi with English Subtitles, 128 min, 2006)
Story of a young woman doctor suffering from Vitiligo who realises that being beautiful is being compassionate and unique.

Sunday, 20th May 2018 | Phir Zindagi: Life Continues
(Hindi with English Subtitles, 55 min, 2014)
Organ donation is a noble act that can conquer death and give birth to a new life.
Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukathankar will be present to conclude the event. Psychiatrist Dr. Anand Nadkarni will be interviewing them.


Lihave Netake with Madhuri Purandare | Improve your child's Marathi language skills!​
A two-​day ​workshop for Parents and Teachers

April 21-22, 2018     11 am - 5 pm Read More   

Based on Madhuri Purandare's popular book series, Lihave Netake, published in 2010. Through exercises and puzzles aimed at enhancing Marathi​ language​ skills, the workshop guides participants to share the cultural heritage of the language with their children​ and next generation​. The Workshop will be conducted in Marathi.

Madhuri Purandare is a popular author in Marathi. Trained as a visual artist, she​ has​ illustrated and written several books for children in Marathi and English.​

Participation fees: Rs.300/- per person​ inclusive of Museum entry ticket for the participants

​Note - Participants are ​expected to carry ​or purchase ​the book series, Lihave Netake. Books will be available for sale with the discounted rate of Rs.400/-.


Short Film Screenings: Docu-dramas by Anjali Kirtane

Second Thursday | April - July 2018    5.30 pm - 7 pm Read More   

Join us for a short film screening by writer and director Anjali Kirtane who will be introducing and discussing her films on the second Thursday of every month between April - July 2018.

Thursday | 12th April 2018 | Sangeetache Suvarnayug (1850-1950) (70")

Thursday | 10th May 2018 | Durga Bhagwat: Ek Shodh (70”)

Thursday, 14th June 2018 | Dr. Anandibai Joshi: Kal aani Kartrutva (20”)

Thursday | 12th July 2018 | Ganayogi: Pt. D. V. Paluskar (130")

About Anjali Kirtane:

Anjali Kirtane is researcher, writer and filmmaker based in Mumbai. Her work is been appreciated by many. Her publication on this topic is also available.


Ujedashi Sanwad | Performance of feminist poetry, verses and stories

Jan 7, 2018    5 pm - 7 pm Read More   

While our democracy makes us believe in the promise of equal opportunity and progress for all; the nation and subcontinent is witnessing an all time increase in crimes against women. 'Ujedashi Sanwad' is a programme that offers space to explore the structure and systems of patriarchy that thread through our culture and language. It attempts to open conversations that unpack ideas of gender. It is an eclectic assortment of poems, verses and songs written in Marathi (primarily), Hindi and English, evolving out of movements striving for equality.

This critical discourse presented by Vandana Khare and a group of performers will go on for 90 minutes.


'Court' - Ideas, inspiration and process
With filmmaker Chaitanya Tamhane

Dec 3, 2017     5 pm - 7 pm Read More   

Chaitanya Tamhane's directorial debut for a feature film, 'Court', won more than 18 international awards and a national award for the best film.

Join us for a conversation with Chitanya Tamhane as he speaks about the first draft of 'Court', his inspirations and challenges while making this film.


Baul // Journey of an expression
With Kishor Kadam

Nov 19,2017     5 pm - 7 pm Read More   

Join us for a session with Kishor Kadam, alias Saumitra, as he presents his newly written poems and narrates his approach to a script and his journey with his characters.


Bringing back the glory of Marathi Theatre
Sunil Barve

July 16, 2017     11.30 am - 1.30 pm Read More   

Join us for a session with Sunil Barve where he speaks about his project ‘Herbarium’ that aims at reviving popular yesteryear Marathi plays. The programme will be conducted in Marathi.


Kishori Aamonkar: A Memoir

June 18, 2017     11.30 am - 1.30 pm Read More   

Film Screening: 'Bhinna Shadja', a film based on Kishori Aamonkar's journey with Music, by Amol Palekar and Sandhya Gokhale, Marathi with English subtitles, 91'

Followed by a conversation with Kishori Tai's disciples Nandini Bedekar and Raghunandan Panshikar

Renowned classical vocalist Kishori Amonkar passed away on 3 April 2017​. This programme would be organised in response to her contribution to Hindustani Classical Music. Amonkar was the leading exponent of the Jaipur gharana. She prioritised the expression of emotion in her music, she frequently departed from the gharana's conventions of rhythm, ornamentation, and broader musical structure in order to intensify the impact of the music. And even if she was sometimes criticised for it, this was also her distinctive style.

Amonkar started training as a musician at a very young age. Her mother was the well-known vocalist Mogubai Kurdikar, who trained under Alladiya Khan Saheb, the doyen of the Jaipur gharana. While learning the finer points and techniques of the Jaipur gharana from her mother, Amonkar also developed her own personal style, which reflects the influence of other gharanas and was generally regarded as an individual variant of the Jaipur tradition. Amol Palekar’s documentary Bhinna Shadja has tried to bring out the story behind Amonkar's music which is woven with comments on her music from masteroes like Zakir Hussain, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

The beauty and depth of her music is revealed in this documentary through conversations with many stalwarts. She explains the underlying philosophy of her ragas. In a scene, she tries and explains to us the underlying role of the 'Shadja' which may be a manifestation in music of Advaita (non-duality of the universe). The documentary even showcases her past lectures and of Mogubai singing. "In that (her music) there is great happiness, great sadness, great anger, great frustration, great desperation — everything just comes into focus in this great concentrated little piece," says the tabla mastero Zakir Hussain about Kishori Amonkar's music in the documentary Bhinna Shadja. Hussain further explains that when he listens to her, it seems to be a painting that embodies every detail of someone’s life.

Sreening will be followed by a session with Nandini Bedekar and Raghunandan Panshikar. Nandini and Raghunandan are Amonkar's disciples who had undertaken training under her for more than 25 years and had jointly performed for her on multiple occasions, and would be sharing their memories and experience of being with Amonkar.


Documenting Tamasha
Sandesh Bhandare

June 11, 2017    11.30 am - 1.30 pm Read More   

In this edition of Museum Katta, Sandesh Bhandare will be presenting his research into the changing practices and ecology of the performance form of Tamasha across Maharashtra.

The form of Tamasha is said to have emerged about 300 years ago as an entertainment for the Moghul and Peshwa armies. It was predominantly performed by the women with a mix of song, dance and satire woven into a simple narrative.

In 2001, supported by a grant from the India Foundation for the Arts, Bhandare documented performances by various tamasha troupes as he accompanied them to yatras and fairs in the Konkan, Marathwada and Vidarbha districts of Maharashtra. His output was prodigious​. Over 7,000 still photographs ​have captured both familiar and obscure facets of the lives of a breed of performing artistes who have been so egregiously marginalised, both culturally and socially. In 2006, Bhandare even published a book documenting this unique photographic journey. The economics of tamasha tours, the intriguing differences in performing styles across various regions, the subtleties that belie conventional notions of tamasha, and the sheer appetite for life demonstrated by the lavani performers even in the face of impoverishment and social ostracism, are some of the compelling narratives that emerge from Bhandare’s photographs, marked by an unflinching observation of both the striking and the mundane.


Museum Katta // Cinema
An interactive session with Amol Palekar, an Indian actor, director and producer of Hindi and Marathi cinema

Apr 23, 2017     11.30 am - 1.30 pm Read More   

The paradigm shift during the last two decades in Marathi Cinema has played a pivotal role in creating a space for experimental and modern cinema. This new wave in Marathi cinema will be a discussed by the veteran director, producer, and actor Amol Palekar. He will explore this through his practice that has redefined local cinema.


A Play of Words and Visuals
Madhuri Purandare

Apr 9, 2017    11.30 am - 1.30 pm Read More   

An interactive session with writer, illustrator and painter ​Madhuri Purandare

Madhuri Purandare's books are designed to spark an interest in the visual arts not only among children but also among their parents. In this session, Purandare will be sharing her inspiration and the journey that lead to the development of her art projects.


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