The Bombay Mathematical Colloquium was founded in 1936 by Wrangler K. R. Gunjikar, Prof. Patravali and others from the balance of funds of the Science Congress. The main objective of the Colloquium was to arrange workshops, seminars, discussions and orientation programmes on various topics in Mathematics syllabi. Prof. D. B. Wagh, Prof. T. G. Kulkarni and Principal B. Y. Oke were some of the active members of the Colloquium who furthered this objective. The former two also made the colloquium a Public Trust and a registered society in 1983.
Over the years however, the cause and achievements of the Colloquium have extended to various other endeavors to make the discipline of Mathematics a more informed one, as well as more far-reaching and accessible. These in turn have made the Colloquium a dynamic and powerful body. Some of these have been outlined below.
The publication of a Mathematical journal 'Bulletin' from 1988 to 2001. Prof. D. B. Wagh was the founding editor. An Articles of interest to working mathematicians, mathematics researchers and teachers in mathematics at all levels are published in Bulletin. Research papers, expository or survey articles, book reviews and personal items about mathematics were included as well.
- Institution of the Huzurbazar Memorial lecture series in 1989 in memory of the late Prof. M. S. Huzurbazar where eminent Mathematicians give a talk each year. Professor R. Sridharan, Professor M. S. Raghunathan, Professor S. Ramanan, Professor R. Parimala, Professor S. G. Dani, Professor T. N. Shorey, Professor Dinesh Thakur, Professor A Sathye, Professor A. R. Shastri, Professor S. Sane, Profesor R. Simha, Professor S. M. Bhatwadekar, Professor Dipendra Prasad, Professor Nitin Nitsure, Professor R. Sujatha, Professor V. Srinivas, Professor Vivek Borkar are some of the great names who have graced the floor in this lecture series.
- Institution of the D. B. Wagh Memorial lecture series in memory of the late Prof. D. B. Wagh in which eminent personalities like Professor M. P. Rege, Professor V. G. Kulkarni, Dr. Madhu Dandvate, Dr. Madhav Chavan and Dr. J. J. Raval have given lectures.
- In troduction of a bilingual programme for schools from the ‘Nirmal Sane Smriti Fund’ in which Professor K. D. Joshi, Professor S. S. Sane and Professor S. R. Ghorpade have given lectures in Marathi and Professor J. K. Verma has arranged in quiz on the history of Mathematics.
- Conceptualization and introduction of Practicals in the T.Y.B.Sc. Mathematics syllabus.
- The publication of comprehensive Question Banks for the T. Y. B. Sc. Based on the norms prescribed by the U. G. C. in its circular.
- Institution of Huzurbaar Memorial Prize, Arjan Mirchandaney Prize and Nalini Bhalchandra Book award to the students to promote excellence in Mathematics.
- The translation of a book by the Professor Jacobi on Mechanics, sponsored by the donation given in memory of Dr. A. Mirchandaney.
The Colloquium has progressed dramatically from the time of its inception and is an active forum where the Mathematics community finds a voice. At present it accounts for more than 350 members which include researchers from celebrated institutes like T. I. F. R., I. I. T. Bombay and the University of Mumbai as well as teachers from various reputed colleges. Professor R. Sridharan is the life President of the Colloquium.
- Organized a ‘Symposium on Algebraic Number Theory’ jointly with Thakur College on the occasion of the Seventieth birthday of our President Professor R. Sridharan. Professor Parvati Shastri was the academic coordinator of the Symposium. Eminent Mathematicians like Professor R. Sridharan, Professor Dipendra Prasad, Professor Arvind Nair, Professor S. D. Adhikari and Professor Ravi Raghunathan gave talks in this symposium.
- Conducting training programme for the Regional Mathematical Olympiad jointly with D. G. Ruparel College. Professor K. D. Joshi, Professor Amit Roy, Professor Sudhir Ghorpade, Professor J. K. Verma gave lectures in this programme.
- Organizing a lecture series ‘Ascent, the Mathematical Ladder’ for bright students of F.Y./S.Y.B.A/B.Sc. jointly with Department of Mathematics, University of Mumbai. Professor S. Kumaresan, Professor (Mrs) P. D. Chawathe, Professor (Mrs) Parvati Shastri, Professor Mangala Manohar, Dr. Ashok Pandit gave lectures in this.
- Organizing Ecstacy, a lecture series by Professor S. Kumaresan on ‘Structure Theorem of Linear Transformations’ in the Department of Mathematics, University of Mumbai. The lecture series was attended by teachers, students of T.Y.B.A./B.Sc. and M.Sc.