Roam and Radiate

In the heart of Mumbai, where the pulse of creativity beats strongest, lies the iconic Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. As the sun rises over the bustling streets of South Mumbai, it illuminates not only the architectural marvels of the city but also the vibrant tapestry of art, music, dance, and culture that defines this annual extravaganza. The year 2024 marks yet another chapter in the rich history of this celebrated festival, as it continues to captivate hearts and minds, drawing artists, performers, and enthusiasts from far and wide. For over two decades, the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival has been a beacon of artistic expression, transforming the historic Kala Ghoda district into a sprawling canvas where imagination knows no bounds. From traditional to contemporary, the festival showcases a kaleidoscope of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, theater, literature, cinema, and more. As visitors weave through the labyrinth of exhibitions, installations, and performances, they embark on a...

Nested in the centre of the bustling Fort district of Mumbai, the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct is a monument to the diverse cultural fabric of the city. With its many galleries, studios, and cultural events, this creative centre, which is dispersed over busy streets and tiny alleyways, has come to be associated with artistic expression. This blog takes readers on a tour through Kala Ghoda's charming lanes as we discover the creative treasures that make this place a must-visit for both art lovers and inquisitive tourists. “Kala Ghoda" means "Black Horse," and this creative district gets its name from a black stone statue that formerly stood there, depicting King Edward VII astride a horse. Although the statue has subsequently been moved, the precinct's creative spirit is still very much alive and well. Kala Ghoda has evolved over time from a colonial-era location to a bustling cultural hub. Kala Ghoda is known for its abundance of art galleries, each of which provides ...

Today, I will be writing about one of the oldest libraries of Mumbai. This library is known to people as The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room. Sir Albert Sassoon, a prominent member of Mumbai's Baghdadi Jewish community, established the library in 1847. It was started in honor of his father, the well-known industrialist and philanthropist David Sassoon. J. Campbell, a British architect, was responsible for the design of the library building, which was built in the Venetian Gothic style. On November 27, 1870, Sir Philip Wodehouse, the Governor of Bombay, dedicated the library building. The European population in Mumbai was initially supposed to be the only users of the library. The library opened its doors to the general public in 1878, making its materials accessible to individuals from all walks of life. The library has added to its collection throughout the years and now has a huge selection of books, journals, and reference resources. The library has functioned as both an ...

ISKCON practices Vaishnavism, or dedication to God (Krishna) in His Supreme Personal aspect of Sri Sri Radha Krishna, as taught by the Vedas and Vedic texts such as the Bhagavad-Geeta and Shrimad Bhagavatam. In 1965, at the age of 69, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada boarded the steamship ‘Jaladuta’ from Mumbai on his way to United States. At an age when most people think of retiring Srila Prabhupada undertook this arduous journey to fulfil the mission of Lord Caitanya and follow the instruction of his spiritual master Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur to carry the message of Bhagavad Geeta and Srimad Bhagavatam to Western world. In early 70’s when Juhu was considered a remote and obscure part of the city, to envision a temple rising here was beyond anyone’s imagination. However, fighting against many odds Srila Prabhupada acquired the Juhu property (which is presently Hare Krishna Land) and promised Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Deities who were then housed in small shack “My dear Sir, ...

‘Kitab Khana’ is a local boutique bookshop in a historic building. It was established in 2010 at Somaiya Bhavan (a 150 years old monument). ‘Kitab Khana’ is a ‘heaven on earth’ for all the book lovers across Mumbai. It is a two-storey, fully air-conditioned structure containing numerous books in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Sanskrit and Marathi languages. Along with a bookshop, it has a coffee shop and also many events take place in ‘Kitab Khana’. This place has been on my list for a long time. My first visit to this bookstore was on 19th April, 2022. I got down on the Church-gate Railway Station and walked down the streets accommodated with veteran architected constructions. There are two ways to reach ‘Kitab Khana’: One through the Flora Fountain and another through the Bombay High Court. I decided to go through Bombay High Court. I witnessed Asiatic Library, Bank of India, High Court and many more monuments on my way. I was fully flattered seeing the heritages of Mumbai in that 7-8 min...