Where Does Creativity Begin? A Science Storytelling Experience in Bengaluru 2026

About the Event

What does it really mean to be creative? Is creativity limited to artists, musicians, and writers, or is it a much older phenomenon that exists throughout the natural world? Explore these fascinating questions at an engaging science storytelling experience hosted at Dialogues Cafe, Koramangala, Bengaluru, on Saturday, 21 November 2026.
This two-hour event invites participants to rethink creativity through the surprising connections between art, biology, nature, and scientific discovery. While names like Picasso, Beethoven, and Van Gogh are often associated with creativity, the story may stretch much further back—to early humans making marks on cave walls, birds collecting colourful objects to attract mates, and even fungi responding to their environment through electrical signals.
What if creativity existed long before humans began creating paintings, composing music, or writing stories? What can the natural world teach us about imagination, expression, and the way we understand ourselves? Over a relaxed conversation and coffee, participants will explore where creativity might begin on the tree of life and what this means for anyone who has ever thought, "I'm just not the creative type."
The experience promises more than an ordinary talk. Attendees will get to hear a mushroom play music through an intriguing scientific setup and take part in an activity designed to encourage wonderfully imperfect creative expression. No science background or artistic experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.
The session is led by Bitasta Datta, a microbiologist by training, educator by profession, and science storyteller by passion. With more than a decade of experience translating scientific ideas into engaging stories for school learners and curious adults, she brings an accessible and imaginative approach to exploring the world around us.
Come along for a thought-provoking afternoon of science, creativity, conversation, and coffee. Discover why a creative life may not always be a happier one, but can be a far more meaningful one.

Event Details

Event Name: Where Does Creativity Begin? A Science Storytelling Experience.
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026.
Time: 3:30 PM.
Duration: 2 hours.
Age Limit: 16 years and above.
Language: English.
Venue: Dialogues Cafe, Koramangala, Bengaluru.
Event Type: Science Storytelling, Creative Exploration, and Interactive Discussion.
Speaker: Bitasta Datta.
Key Themes: Creativity, biology, nature, science, music, and human expression.
Experience Highlights: Science storytelling, a mushroom music demonstration, and a playful creative activity.
Prior Knowledge Required: No science background or artistic experience is necessary.

What to Expect at the Creativity Experience

Discover the Origins of Creativity

Explore the possibility that creativity is not exclusive to humans. The session looks beyond conventional examples of art and music to consider how creative behaviours appear in nature, from early human markings to the fascinating activities of birds and other organisms.

Explore Creativity Through Science

Discover how scientific observations can challenge familiar ideas about imagination and artistic expression. The discussion introduces the intriguing possibility that biological processes in organisms without brains may produce patterns that resemble aspects of music and creative behaviour.

Hear a Mushroom Play Music

One of the distinctive highlights is a demonstration involving a mushroom connected to a synthesizer. Electrical signals associated with the organism can be translated into musical output, offering an unusual way to experience the relationship between biology and sound.

Make Something Wonderfully Imperfect

Participants will be encouraged to create something deliberately imperfect and enjoy the process without worrying about the result. This playful activity challenges the idea that creativity requires special talent, technical skills, or artistic perfection.

Rethink the Idea of Being Creative

Many people believe they are not creative because they do not paint, write, compose music, or make traditional forms of art. This experience invites attendees to question that assumption and consider creativity as a broader part of exploration, problem-solving, expression, and everyday life.

Enjoy Science Through Storytelling

Bitasta Datta brings scientific ideas to life through accessible storytelling. Her approach makes the session suitable for curious adults, science enthusiasts, and anyone interested in exploring how the natural world can change the way we think.

About the Speaker: Bitasta Datta

Bitasta Datta is a microbiologist by training, an educator by profession, and a science storyteller by passion. For more than ten years, she has worked on making scientific concepts accessible and engaging for school learners and curious adults.
Her professional journey includes working with the National Digital Library of India, co-founding The Synapse, leading curriculum and learning experience design at BYJU'S and Tutopiya, and working on content at Khan Academy.
Through her experience in science communication, education, and learning design, Bitasta brings together scientific curiosity and storytelling to help audiences engage with ideas in fresh and meaningful ways.

Who Should Attend?

This event is ideal for people who are curious about creativity, science, biology, music, nature, and human behaviour. It may appeal to artists who want to rethink their creative process, science enthusiasts interested in unusual biological phenomena, educators who enjoy storytelling, and anyone who has ever felt that creativity belongs to other people.
No previous knowledge of microbiology or other scientific subjects is required. You do not need to be an artist, musician, or experienced creator to participate. An open mind and a willingness to explore new ideas are all you need.

Things to Know Before Attending

Age Restriction: Entry is permitted for attendees aged 16 years and above.
Event Language: The session will be conducted in English.
Duration: The experience is scheduled for two hours.
Venue: Dialogues Cafe, Koramangala, Bengaluru.
Dress Code: No specific dress code has been provided.
Prior Experience: No science background or creative experience is required.
Entry and Security: Attendees must enter through designated entrances and comply with security checks.
Re-entry Policy: Re-entry is not permitted after leaving the venue.
Recording Policy: Audio and video recording equipment, including still cameras, is prohibited under the event terms.
Prohibited Items: Food, beverages, liquids, bottles, cans, tins, bags, lighters, matchboxes, flammable items, and illegal or hazardous substances are not permitted inside the venue or seating area, subject to the venue's rules.
Admission Policy: The organizer reserves the right of admission and may refuse entry or remove attendees for inappropriate or dangerous behaviour.
Schedule Changes: The organizer may alter the event schedule without prior notice.
Ticket Policy: Tickets are generally non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be cancelled or returned after purchase, except as specified in the event terms.

Terms and Conditions

By accepting, holding, or using a ticket, attendees acknowledge that they have read, understood, accepted, and agreed to the full terms and conditions.
The organizer reserves the right of admission and may alter the event schedule without prior notice. Entry is permitted only through designated entrances after a thorough security check. Security personnel may inspect attendees and their belongings. Refusal to undergo a search or possession of prohibited items may result in denied entry without a refund or compensation.
The venue prohibits food, beverages, liquids, bottles, cans, tins, bags, lighters, matchboxes, flammable items, and illegal or hazardous substances inside the venue or seating area.
This is a drug-free event. Attendees found using, possessing, procuring, supplying, or consuming drugs, narcotics, or psychotropic substances in violation of applicable law may be removed from the venue without a refund or compensation. The organizer reserves the right to initiate legal action where permitted by law.
The organizer may refuse admission to or remove any attendee who appears intoxicated, is under the influence of drugs, behaves dangerously or inappropriately, or engages in conduct likely to cause harassment, damage, injury, or nuisance. The organizer's decision in such matters will be final.
Audio and video recording equipment, including still cameras, is strictly prohibited. Tickets are issued subject to the rules and regulations of the organizer and venue management.
The organizer does not accept responsibility for injuries or for loss or damage to personal property brought to the event. The purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages must comply with applicable laws.
Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be cancelled or returned after purchase, except as specified in the event terms. If the organizer cancels the performance or event, the ticket fee will be refunded. Other charges, including parking, internet handling, and order processing fees, remain non-refundable.
Tickets may be invalid if their security features have been tampered with. The organizer and venue are not liable for issues arising from unauthorized copies or reproductions of tickets.
Attendees voluntarily assume the risks associated with contracting COVID-19, H1N1, or other communicable diseases before, during, or after the event, and waive claims against the organizer arising from these risks, as stated in the event terms.
The event is subject to force majeure conditions. Attendees are requested to cooperate with the organizer and venue staff at all times. The organizer may modify these terms and conditions at its discretion, and any secondary performances or event lineup remain subject to the artist's discretion.
The organizer may collect personal information, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers, during booking, registration, or payment in accordance with its Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All disputes and claims are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Mumbai.