DAG Brings ‘The City as a Museum’ Art and Heritage Festival to Mumbai for the First Time
DAG's 'The City as a Museum' debuts in Mumbai from 7-23 March 2025, exploring the city's art and heritage through exhibitions, talks, and walks—highlighting the legacy of the Sir J. J. School of Art.
DAG, India’s leading art company, has announced the first Mumbai edition of its acclaimed annual art and heritage festival, ‘The City as a Museum’, following four successful editions in Kolkata. Scheduled from 7-23 March 2025, the festival will transform Mumbai into a sprawling cultural map, bringing together exhibitions, talks, walks, workshops, and a final iftaar feast to celebrate the city’s rich artistic and historical legacies.
This year’s festival will open with ‘Shifting Visions: Teaching Modern Art at the Bombay School’, an exhibition in collaboration with the Sir J. J. School of Art, Architecture and Design. The exhibition will explore the evolution of art pedagogy at the institution from its foundation in 1857 to the emergence of the ‘Bombay Group’ in 1941, featuring artworks and rare archival objects from both the DAG collection and the J. J. School archives.
Ashish Anand, CEO and MD of DAG, remarked on the festival’s expansion:
“A city is a living legacy of its history and culture in which art plays an important part alongside other streams and components, some of which are more visibly acknowledged than others. With ‘The City as a Museum’, we open doors and windows to parallels and conversations that are immersive, educational, and investigative but also engaging and fun.”
The Mumbai edition seeks to reinterpret the city’s layered histories through diverse perspectives, making art accessible to a wider audience.
A Glimpse into Mumbai’s Artistic Legacy
At the heart of this festival is the Sir J. J. School of Art, an institution instrumental in shaping Mumbai’s art and architecture scene since its inception. The exhibition, ‘Shifting Visions: Teaching Modern Art at the Bombay School’, delves into the school’s pedagogical methods influenced by art institutions in London, such as South Kensington and the Royal College of Art. It examines how these methods were adapted in India, highlighting the contributions of Indian teachers and craftspeople.
Rather than following a linear timeline, the exhibition focuses on dominant themes and practices that shaped the institution’s identity. It includes artworks, photographs, documents, and letters, offering an insight into the evolving relationship between teachers and students at the school. This exploration aims to showcase how modern Indian art emerged as a synthesis of international influences and indigenous traditions.
Professor Rajanish K. Kamat, Vice Chancellor of the Sir J. J. School of Art, commented:
“Sir J. J. School has been instrumental in shaping the art, architecture and culture of our city, and our archives are a testimony to this storied history. Presenting our collections jointly with DAG for the first time will create greater awareness about the legacy of the School.”
Key Highlights of ‘The City as a Museum’
The festival’s calendar is packed with insightful events designed to unravel Mumbai’s artistic and cultural narratives. Some of the standout programmes include:
- The Forgotten Chapter: A talk by Dr. Saryu Doshi exploring the impact of teaching and learning Indian art at the J. J. School during the Swadeshi movement.
- The Muralists: A walkthrough led by Dr. Douglas John, Head of the Painting Department, exploring the significance of murals at the J. J. School in shaping modern art in Mumbai.
- Views from Elephanta: An excursion to the Elephanta Caves with art historian Dr. Giles Tillotson, examining the influence of the caves on modern artists.
- The School and the City: A discussion and guided walk through the historic campus of the Sir J. J. School of Art and the iconic Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building with architects Mustansir Dalvi and Vikas Dilawari.
- Drawings from Life: A workshop by artists Snehal Pradhan and Soumava Das on reinterpreting colonial-era art school practices.
- Tyeb, Husain and Their World of Moving Pictures: A conversation exploring the early careers of Tyeb Mehta and M. F. Husain at the Alfred Talkies, Grant Road.
The festival will also feature a variety of talks, walks, and workshops at other historical sites, including the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum and neighbourhoods like Grant Road and Mohammed Ali Road. These events aim to connect Mumbai’s past with its present, allowing audiences to rediscover the city’s cultural and artistic heritage.
From Kolkata to Mumbai
The decision to bring ‘The City as a Museum’ to Mumbai was inspired by the overwhelming response to its Kolkata editions, which explored the works of artists like Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, and Rabindranath Tagore. The Kolkata festivals delved into themes of colonialism, art education, and craft traditions, transforming the city’s historic sites into living museums.
For Mumbai, the festival aims to spotlight the rich artistic traditions of Maharashtra, a region that has significantly shaped modern Indian art. By integrating institutional and personal archives, the festival seeks to create a multi-layered narrative that reflects the city’s complex history and vibrant culture.
DAG’s Commitment to Indian Art
Established in 1993, DAG has emerged as a key player in India’s art scene, with a comprehensive collection spanning from the eighteenth century onwards. The company’s efforts to preserve and promote Indian art history include not only curating exhibitions but also publishing books, producing videos, and hosting public programmes.
DAG’s museum initiatives, such as the exhibitions at Delhi’s Red Fort (Drishyakala) and Kolkata’s Old Currency Building (Ghare Baire), have played a vital role in democratising access to art. The Mumbai edition of ‘The City as a Museum’ continues this mission, making art accessible to diverse audiences through a series of interactive and educational programmes.
Looking ahead, DAG is also in the process of setting up its first single-artist museum dedicated to Jamini Roy in Kolkata, further underscoring its commitment to safeguarding India’s artistic heritage.
Reimagining Mumbai’s Cultural Map
By reinterpreting Mumbai’s historical sites as a vast, interconnected museum, DAG’s ‘The City as a Museum’ invites residents and visitors alike to view the city through a new lens. The festival’s blend of exhibitions, archival displays, and on-site programmes offers a comprehensive understanding of Mumbai’s role in shaping modern Indian art.
For more information on ‘The City as a Museum’, visit DAG’s official website.
