BDL Museum tour: Avant-garde and for all ages
Curator Himanshu Kadam joined Byculla’s Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum’s curatorial team in 2010, and has been conducting public tours in Marathi, Hindi and English since. “I enjoy the direct engagement with visitors. A majority are native to Mumbai and Maharashtra. However, visitors from other parts of India and overseas also drop by. The museum has made it to all major travel indicators as a top destination in Mumbai,” shares Kadam. “Recently, we conducted a guided tour for a group from an old age home, mostly 60-70 year-olds. Their enthusiasm and curiosity was inspiring A few had already visited the museum previously, and noticed the change that the institution, and the city, had undergone. It was a learning experience for us too as the interaction with the group led to a better understanding of the museum and the city’s past,” recalls Kadam. Being a Mumbaikar, Kadam finds the city’s capacity to submerge and evolve cultures, and identities, fascinating, along with the fact that it is a classic example of the past and present living and growing together.

>> Why take this tour?
“It is a good place to experience  best practices in the Indian museum scene. The vibrancy of space and its avant-garde approach towards art and culture will appeal to the visitor. The building is a rare example of Palladian architecture in Mumbai, that is otherwise known for its neo-gothic structures. The Victorian interiors reflect the amalgamation of two distinct identities. The right corner (home to marble statues of former governors and relics) near the entrance should not be missed.