Mumbai that was once Bombay is a confluence of cultures and ideas. Its story goes beyond the material evidence of its past that is seen in the form of its colonial architecture, old temples and ancient monuments. Its story also lies in the myths and legends that were told by its people about themselves, their belief systems and the gods and other divine beings that they worshipped and feared.
Unfortunately, the old stories have been buried in the rubble of redevelopments and reinvention. Much of Mumbai’s story is either forgotten or retold through a commercial or colonial lens where the stories of its past are seen as superficial and amusing, but not important enough to be preserved and studied.
However, there is a treasure trove of myths and legends about Mumbai that reveal much about the city’s ancient origins, its longstanding relationships with trade, religion, art and culture. It has also been a receptacle for folk tales from different parts of the country and the world, given its openness in absorbing people speaking in different languages and following different belief systems.
The Mythology Project and Intach Mumbai are working together on a project that aims to document and develop a compendium of such stories. The objective is to preserve the intangible heritage of the city and also offer this as a valuable resource to all citizens to help them learn about the true identity of the metropolis.
