The Children’s Museum at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya will host their annual Literature and Storytelling Festival this weekend. Here’s what to expect from their eclectic itinerary
A mime artist entertains young children during the 2024 edition of the festival, titled Mumbai Masala. Pics courtesy/CSMVS
What’s a good story without a bunch of eager listeners? This week, children from all over Mumbai have the opportunity to engage themselves (and their parents) in something different than just going out for a film or dinner. The Children’s Museum of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) will host Once Upon a Beginning, its yearly Literature and Storytelling Festival, this weekend. The event offers children a packed itinerary of storytelling sessions and workshops that get their creative juices flowing, featuring popular storytellers and artists.
Storytellers (from left) Devaki Bhujang Gajare and Dr Ulka Mayur will perform at the upcoming Festival. Pics courtesy/@storyfulparent; @ulka mayur
Vaidehi Savnal, education and outreach department head, CSMVS, who leads and oversees the Children’s Museum, tells us more, “The 2025 edition is our sixth edition, where the overarching theme is mythology, which consists of mythical stories from cultures across the world, mainly regarding ancient ideas of how the world came to be, who were the first Gods, nature, and more. Every culture has its unique interpretation of these concepts, and we thought sharing them with children would be a great idea,” she explains. “We have an ongoing project named, Ancient World in the main museum, and the 2025 festival theme is a complementary programme to that.”
A few of the storytellers with sessions lined up include Lubaina Bandukwala, who will relay the story, The Gifts of Thoth, about the Egyptian deity and his inventions; Shalini Bajaj Surve, who will narrate How the Peacock Got a Hundred Eyes on its Tail; and Misbah Ali, bringing the tale, How the Bees Got their Buzz?. “We will also have sessions in Hindi and Marathi, apart from English,” shares Savnal. Some of the Marathi performers include Manisha Bhise and Devaki Bhujang Gajare. She adds, “It’s an outdoor festival, hence all these sessions will take place at multiple locations at the museum premises, including the historic Baobab tree, a popular spot for storytelling sessions, the Children’s Museum Amphitheatre, and the lawns.”
(From left) Lubaina Bandukwala (extreme left) and Misbah Ali conduct sessions at a previous edition
The workshops include theatre, creative writing, and puppetry. Savnal observes that children have differing interests, saying, “Children between the ages of five and 15 attend this festival. Some excel in the arts; others are more interested in watching performances, while a few veer towards dance, music, and theatre. We offer a bit of something for everyone.”
Performer Shreedevi Sunil will host a special workshop on folktales exploring the origins of the natural world, its wonders, and animals. “This time, we’re holding one day of the fest on a weekday, so schoolchildren can attend it as part of field trips, while others attend on a Saturday with families. Thus, audiences can have the best of both experiences,” Savnal signs off.
On November 7 and 8; 10.15 am to 7 pm (Day 1); 11 am to 5 pm (Day 2)
At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort.
Log on to @csmvsmumbai
Entry Rs 40 (Children, ages five to 15); Rs 200 (Adults)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
