Youth Participate Actively in City-Wide Celebration
Mumbai: The Mumbai Arts & Health Festival (MAHF) 2026, which began on May 6, will continue until May 10, bringing together art, health, and environmental awareness under the theme “One City, One Pulse.” The festival is aimed at promoting community engagement and encouraging conversations around healing, creativity, and sustainability through a series of discussions, workshops, and public activities across Mumbai.
During the festival, several panel discussions and interactive sessions were organised on subjects such as “The Role of Community in Arts and Healing,” “Art for Mental Health,” and “Arts and Queer Identities.” Community participation was further encouraged through “Community Art Hours” conducted at multiple venues across the city.
The festival opened with a panel discussion on “Arts for Rehabilitation” at Nanavati Max Hospital. On May 7, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) hosted a special screening of the film Mast Mahila Mandali. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has joined the festival as its Eco-Friendly Partner.
On May 8, NGMA also hosted a discussion on “Climate, Care and Creativity,” focusing on the intersection of environmental awareness and artistic expression.
As part of the festival’s outdoor initiatives, “Eco Art and Yoga” activities were organised at Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Central Park in Thane. A community beach-cleaning drive was also conducted at Dadar Beach to promote environmental responsibility among citizens.
Special art programmes were organised in Goregaon on the occasion of Mother’s Day, adding a cultural and emotional dimension to the celebrations.
The festival will conclude with a grand closing event at St. Stephen’s Steps in Bandra.
Devika Mehta Kadam, President of the organisation, described the festival as an important initiative to create public awareness through the combined power of art and health. The festival also witnessed enthusiastic participation from young people across Mumbai.
