Revitalising maps: The artistic side of cartography at Asiatic Library

As part of a calendar of events celebrating Mapped, the exhibition of vintage surveys at the Durbar Hall, Asiatic Society of Bombay, the Rotary Club of Bombay recently welcomed over 160 map enthusiasts for an intriguing exploration. The event, curated by Past Perfect, titled ‘Story of Mumbai Through Maps: Putting ‘ART’ in Cartography’, attracted over 300 registrants, reflecting the wide interest in the field. Asad Lalljee, Senior Vice President of the Essar Group, CEO of Avid Learning, and curator at Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, set the stage with a warm welcome for attendees and panellists alike. The evening’s discourse was guided by the capable hands of Dr. Ruta Waghmare Baptista, curator of Collections, Education & Outreach at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Baptista
unveiled the three fundamental aspects of “ART” in cartography — aesthetics, representation, and technique —
and underscored how maps have transformed from mere navigational tools into captivating works of art.

Mrinal Kapadia, a well-known film producer and founder of the India Visual Art Archive, took attendees on a journey
through his passion for map collecting, which was heightened during the pandemic. Kapadia shed light on unique seafarer charts from the 16th century, distinguishing between the perspectives of sea and land in mapmaking. He also spoke of the importance of context in mapmaking depending on whether it is for official use or tourists.

The audience was further captivated by Ruchita Madhok, the founder of Kahani Designworks and publisher of Storycity. She recounted her early foray into mapmaking as an eight-year-old and how the scarcity of local maps and visual guides for Mumbai led her to design personalised maps that told unique narratives. Madhok emphasised that
map-making goes beyond design — it encompasses typography, editing, and, most importantly, storytelling. Zeenat Kulavoor, Typographer and Design Director at Bombay Duck Designs, enriched the evening with a deep dive into her mapmaking journey. She explained her process and experience of designing ‘Because Byculla’ and how maps are integral to her creative practice. Kulavoor also shared the challenges posed by the pandemic that necessitated
several revisions to her maps as neighbourhoods and local landmarks evolved. She concluded by stressing the importance of public participation in the mapmaking process.

In essence, ‘Story of Mumbai Through Maps: Putting ‘ART’ in Cartography’ offered attendees a fresh perspective on maps — not just as geographic representations, but as vibrant canvases that tell tales of history, culture, and
personal experiences.

“Mapped: surveys that left behind a legacy” continues at the grand Durbar Hall of the Asiatic Library in May 2023 is open to the public until 4 June 2023.