India, Oct. 4 -- MUMBAI Old Bombay began its rise to Urbs Prima in Indis as a relatively insignificant 16th century province of Portugal's Estado da India, and administered directly from Goa, where the thriving capital port city on the Mandovi was the first great crucible of East-West globalization in the subcontinent. But three centuries later, with the rise of the Raj, the centre of gravity shifted decisively up the coast, and by the turn of the 20th century at least 20% of Goa's population had migrated to work in British India, with the bulk in Mumbai.

This cosmopolitan cultural history - with its rich expressions in art, literature, music, food and more - will be celebrated at the Royal Opera House tomorrow, in the inaugural edition ...