When Flowers Struck a Musical Chord: Celebrities Add Glamour to the 29th Mumbai Flower Festival

Mumbai (Anil Bedag): When the fragrance of colourful flowers blends seamlessly with the rhythm of music and nature transforms into living art, the experience goes beyond sight—it touches the soul. The 29th Mumbai Flower Festival, held at the historic Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan (Byculla Zoo), offered exactly such a mesmerising spectacle. Floral musical instruments, a heartfelt tribute to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, and the presence of Bollywood celebrities made the event truly memorable.
Organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the three-day festival has become a much-awaited annual attraction. For nearly three decades, the exhibition has followed a unique theme every year, but this year’s musical theme stood out for its creativity and emotional connect. Flowers were artistically crafted into various musical instruments, celebrating the harmony between nature and music, while paying homage to the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar.
The grand event witnessed the presence of veteran Bollywood actor Ranjeet, popular actress Varsha Usgaonkar, and film and television actress and social media influencer Ekta Jain, along with several other celebrities, who thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition. Jitendra Pardeshi, Superintendent of Gardens, BMC, was also present on the occasion. He expressed his gratitude to the celebrity guests and encouraged citizens to visit the exhibition with their children, stating that the festival will remain open until Sunday.
Congratulating BMC on the successful organisation of the Flower Show 2026, actor Ranjeet said, “I have a deep love for flowers and plants. I grow vegetables, flowers and plants on the terrace of my house. The way musical instruments have been created using flowers this year is truly amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition.”
Actress Varsha Usgaonkar, who had also attended the exhibition on the opening day, appreciated the theme and presentation. Ekta Jain praised BMC’s consistent efforts over the past 29 years and said, "The dedication with which BMC has been organising this unique flower exhibition for nearly three decades is commendable. The musical theme is absolutely beautiful. This fragrant and colourful exhibition is a must-watch for everyone.”
Another major highlight of this year’s festival is BMC’s tie-up with Japan. The exhibition also promotes Japanese Bonsai plants, adding an international flavour to the event. With the upcoming Green Expo 2027 in Japan, BMC officials will visit Japan to share knowledge about how plants are grown and maintained in India.
Speaking about the growing popularity of the festival, Jitendra Pardeshi said that children show special enthusiasm for the exhibition and that the collective efforts of the BMC team, support from celebrities, and extensive media coverage have helped attract lakhs of visitors every year.