Online Learning Session : Wood Wide Web

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.

English: Wed, 26 March 2025
Hindi: Thurs, 27 March 2025
11 am–12 pm
Grade 5 - 7 | Charges: Free
The session will be via Zoom.

Register Here

Dastan-e-Ramji | Museum Katta

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, 15 Mar 2025 | 5 pm

Register Here

Boond Boond Pani

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, 23 March, 2025 | 11 am

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my home is your home

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, 16 March, 2025 | 11 am

Register Here

Read with Me: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

with Priya Aga

This Women's Day, bring your family and join us for our next Read with Me session featuring Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. Illustrated by female artists from around the world, this inspiring collection introduces us to extraordinary women who changed history. Empowering, moving and inspirational, these are true fairy tales for heroines who definitely don't need rescuing.

Saturday, March 08, 2025
11 am - 12 pm
Age: 7 years and above, parents can accompany the children.
Venue: Education Center, BDL Museum.

Guided Walk: Tree Trail

with Sananda Mukhopadhyaya

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.

Sunday, 2 March 2025
8:30 am–10:30 am
Age: 18+
Charges: Rs. 250 per participant, limited spots
Museum entry charges applicable

Read with Me: Christopher the Ogre Cologre', It’s Over!

with Priya Aga

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!

Saturday, 15 February, 2025
4 – 5 pm
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

Online Learning Session: Water Footprints

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.

English: Tue, 18 Feb, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Hindi: Fri, 21 Feb, 2025 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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.

Workshop: Blackout Poetry

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.

Sunday, 23 February, 2025
11 am – 12:30 pm
Age group: 12 years and above
Charges: Free, museum ticket applicable

Weekend Museum Tours

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.

Every Sat & Sun
11:30 am (English) and 12:30 pm (Marathi/Hindi)

Children’s Book Corner

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.

The BDL Museum helps you creatively engage with a vast selection of artworks from our collections and exhibitions even if you cannot visit the Museum! There are interactive games, stories, pre-recorded talks, and playlists to enjoy on Spotify!

Online Talks

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to revisit our past talks by eminent scholars.
Click Here

Online Treasure Hunt

Solve riddles inspired by the Museum's permanent collection!

Download Worksheet in English

Online Exhibitions

Join us as we explore our past exhibitions and discuss their continuing relevance.
Know More

Sketching

The Museum's collection showcases innovations in design and motifs that were in vogue in the late 19th - early 20th century. Create your own objects inspired by the designs you see in our collection!

Download: Worksheet 1

Colouring Sheets

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.

Colour in the sheets using your chosen medium and send us your pictures of your completed drawing via email or by tagging us @bdlmuseum on social media platforms!

Download: Worksheet 1

Download: Worksheet 2

Download: Worksheet 3

Playlists on Spotify

BDL Museum is now on Spotify. Tune into our new, curated playlists!

Ragamalas

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.

Disclaimer: The playlist is strictly for non-commercial and entertainment use and in accordance with Spotify Brand Account.

Mumbai

Tune into our new playlist dedicated to the city of dreams - Mumbai. From 'Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan' to 'Gully Boy', the playlist tries to capture the essence of the city. The playlist features songs of various musical styles that developed against the backdrop of the city, ranging from classic Bhendi Bazaar Gharana that developed in the city in the 1890s to contemporary Bollywood music. The songs selected for the playlist draw inspiration from the city and its people.

Disclaimer: The playlist is strictly for non-commercial and entertainment use and in accordance with Spotify Brand Account.

Jigsaw Puzzles

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.

Click Here