NGMA Mumbai, Ministry of Culture, Government of India and Avid Learning present Multipolis Mumbai: Alternate Identities within the City, a discussion that examines the various identities that exist in the city and their role in the formation of subcultures.

Digital Content Creator Mandovi Menon, Director and Founder, FourbyFour Experiences Pvt Ltd. Nikhil Udupa, Artist and Rapper Sumit Roy Writer, Photographer, Filmmaker and Producer at VICE Asia Naman Saraiya will be in conversation with Author Arjun Gaind.

These experts will take a look at the creation and evolution of various social identity groups as tied to certain trends such as hip-hop music, breakdancing, skateboarding etc. in the city and the role they have played in the formation and shaping of prominent subcultures in Mumbai. They will examine the ways in which these social identities interact with various elements of the city and will deconstruct how these social identities dimensionalise the experience of Mumbai. These experts will also discuss how these various social identity groups use forms of artistic expression to raise awareness about prevalent social and political issues, as well as monetize their skills to reap economic benefits.

This talk will be part of AVID’s Multipolis Mumbai Series that decodes the past while looking to the future and finding novel ways of engaging, interacting with and reenergizing the city that we love! The original nine-part series, which began in 2012, examined how Architecture, Music, Food, Theatre, Fashion, Environment, Literature, Innovation, and Film influenced and were influenced by the city. Our second iteration of this series, which began in 2017 attempts to renegotiate larger perspectives on the city, dig deeper and capture its essence and changing rhythms and nuances. In this second round we seek to plumb new depths and unearth more fascinating nuggets about our ever-surprising Mumbai! On our journey, we have explored how entities like businesses and brands, architects, historians and designers, artists and poets, women writers and female theatre stalwarts have influenced our city. We have also explored how art technology and gaming, wildlife activism, philanthropy and maritime culture have played a role in enriching Mumbai’s cultural fabric. We've also held workshops that looked more closely at iconic Mumbai architecture (namely Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic and Victorian Gothic).

Come explore Mumbai’s exciting emergent urban identities!