East Indian Community to Get Themed Garden and Museum in Juhu
A long-awaited cultural project is finally set to take shape. Six years after the initial request was made, the Bombay High Court has granted final permission for the creation of the Kaka Baptista East Indian Theme Garden in Juhu. This will be a dedicated space to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the East Indian community, a group that is considered the original inhabitants of Mumbai. Alongside the garden, a museum will be established to showcase the community’s rich traditions and history.
The proposed garden, named after Joseph ‘Kaka’ Baptista—a prominent East Indian freedom fighter—will not only be a symbol of cultural pride but also an important recreational space for locals and visitors alike. Spanning approximately 1.5 acres, the garden will incorporate elements that reflect traditional East Indian life, such as a pergola, a maquette of a traditional gaothan (village), a well, and statues depicting various traditional occupations. However, the journey to this moment was not without challenges. Due to the site’s location within the coastal regulation and mangrove zones, securing clearances took several years. Despite the hurdles, the efforts of BJP MLA Ameet Satam and the Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP) have been crucial in pushing this project forward. Satam, who has been actively supporting the cause, noted that securing land for a dedicated East Indian Bhavan proved difficult, leading to the proposal of a themed garden instead. The MGP embraced this idea, seeing it as an apt tribute to their cultural roots. The journey towards realising this dream began with a ceremonial coconut-breaking event in 2022, marking the official commencement of the project. After delays in securing clearances, work is now set to begin following the Bombay High Court’s approval.
Once completed, the garden will serve as a cultural hub, not just through its aesthetics but also through its exhibits. The East Indian Museum, currently housed in a modest 600 sq. ft. private space in Manori, will be relocated to the garden and expanded to showcase more of the community’s artefacts, historical objects, and memorabilia. The new museum will be housed in a port-a-cabin, as permanent structures cannot be built on the site. The museum’s curator, artist Saviya Lopez, explains that the current museum is small and intimate, presenting artifacts such as traditional attire (lugras), kitchenware, jewellery, and wedding items. The new museum will mirror this homely atmosphere while also offering more space for future exhibits. Lopez also suggests incorporating a library with works by and about the East Indian community to further enrich the cultural experience for visitors. Architect Samir D’Monte, renowned for his work on East Indian heritage projects, will be serving as a special advisor to ensure the final design remains authentic to the community’s heritage.
In addition to the museum, the garden will feature several amenities, including an amphitheatre for performances, lush lawns, and a children’s play area. The MGP, which has been instrumental in the development of this space, will also oversee its maintenance, ensuring that the project remains a vibrant part of Mumbai’s cultural landscape for years to come. This garden and museum will be a historic first—a dedicated space in Mumbai celebrating the East Indian heritage and acknowledging the community’s invaluable contribution to the city’s development. For the East Indian community, this is a moment of great pride. Gleason Barretto, a member of the MGP, expressed the significance of this moment, saying, “This is the first-ever dedicated space in Mumbai to celebrate our heritage, and we are overjoyed to see it finally come to fruition.” With the support of local politicians, cultural activists, and the community, the Kaka Baptista East Indian Theme Garden will soon stand as a testament to the East Indian community’s enduring legacy in Mumbai.
