Mumbai’s Culture

Mumbai is one of the most liberal and cosmopolitan cities of India, embracing concepts that would be taboo in other cities. Mumbai residents of all religions celebrate Western and Indian celebrations and festivals with great fanfare. The metropolis has local roadside fast food and South Indian and Chinese food are also very popular. The residents have unique tastes in cuisine, music, film and literature, both Indian and international. Mumbai is the birthplace of Indian cinema, with the oldest film shot here in 1896. It also boasts a large number of cinemas, including Asia’s largest IMAX dome theater, which feature mainstream Bollywood and Hollywood films. The city also hosts various plays and cultural performances. There are also two art galleries: The Jehangir Art Gallery and The National Gallery of Modern Art and a museum, The Prince of Wales Museum in South Mumbai. Built in 1833, the Asiatic Society of Bombay is the oldest public library in the city.