Kala Ghoda is a crescent shaped sub-precinct in the heart of south Mumbai. It bears testimony to Bombay’s Colonial past, and is a place where the old world greets the new. It comprises not one building, gallery or museum but a fine ensemble of museums, art galleries, educational institutions, boutiques and restaurant as well as array of heritage buildings in the city. These, all combined, create an arts precinct and a prominent cultural centre, thronged by visitors and tourists from all over the world.

 

 

Kala Ghoda means ‘Black Horse’ in Hindi and derives its name from the black stone statue of King Edward VII (as the then Prince of Wales) mounted on a horse erected in the area in the 1870’s. The statue was actually built by the famous Jewish businessman who owned most of the properties in the area – Sir David Sassoon. The statue was removed in 1965 to storehouses of the Bhau Daji Lad Museum (formerly Victoria & Albert Museum) in Byculla. The statue now rests in the Jijamata Udyan in Byculla.  However the precinct that originally housed it still bears the name. 

 

 

The crescent has a distinct visual identity because it houses a fine collection of heritage structures in Victorian Neo-Gothic, Indo Saracenic, Renaissance Revival and Edwardian Neo Classical styles. 

 

To mention some – Esplanade Mansion, Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, National Gallery of Modern Art, Elphinstone College, Army & Navy Building, David Sassoon Library, Great Western Building, Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, St. Andrew and Columba’s Church and Lion Gate.

 

There are over 100,000 square feet of existing indoor gallery space, mass outdoor pavement galleries, and exhibition space within the covered arcades which makes the area a living, breathing Urban Museum. 

 

The Festival:

 

The Kala Ghoda Association (non-profit organization) has been working towards physically upgrading the Kala Ghoda sub-precinct and making it the Art District of Mumbai. In 1999 the association organised the first ‘Kala Ghoda Festival’ and since then the festival has grown in stature and popularity. It is now a nine day long affair and is held in late January or early February every year. It is a great culmination of visual arts, dance, music, theatre, cinema, literature, lectures, seminars and workshops, heritage walks, special events for children, and a vibrant street festival. Today the Festival has expanded beyond the Kala Ghoda crescent, with events being held in Azad Maidan and Horniman Circle as well.

 

Address: Kala Ghoda, Fort Mumbai – 400 001, Maharashtra, India

Location: Kala Ghoda is the small area sandwiched between Colaba and the Fort.