[ad_1]
Photo credit/Getty Images
Churchill knew a thing or two about the behaviors that define an era. Perhaps it was this realization that led him to say: “We shape our architecture; we shape our architecture.” They shape us thereafter. This is especially the case in Mumbai. After all, every inhabitant of the city and its far-flung suburbs is affected by its space, or lack thereof. Starting this weekend, the Art Deco Bombay Trust, in collaboration with the Asia Society Bombay Research Centre, Mumbai, will present an exhibition highlighting Indian architects whose contributions laid the foundation for urban lifestyle in today’s city.
“We want to turn the conversation towards acknowledging the Indian masters. They built and designed large areas of the city and gave us not only a quality of life but a way of life. Not only that, they also integrated a culture into the city .” said Atul Kumar, founder of the Mumbai Decorative Arts Foundation. The nine-day exhibition will feature lectures, discussions and walkthroughs providing insights to the likes of Gajanan Baburao Mhatre, PC Dastur, Bhicaji Edulji Doctor and Dattatraya R Chowdhari.
Many of these names shaped the buildings that are now living monuments to the Mumbai city skyline. “If you ask anyone about Eros Cinema or Shivaji Park, they know it immediately. But few know who designed them. Over the years, we have been working with several archivists and the families of these architects Stay in touch. This resulted in a unique exhibition that pays tribute not only to individuals but also to many companies,” he added.
It is often easy to forget that Mumbai once lacked the skyline that defines it today. The famous Art Deco building that flanks the Oval Maidan and Marine Drive promenade was conceived in the offices of its creator. “GB Mhatre, the designer of Soona Mahal, is one such artist. His grandson Sachin Goregooker will participate in the event and share several priceless notebooks of his paintings for the exhibition,” Kumar revealed. Another rare souvenir is the silver replica of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan designed by Doctor & Vazifdar. The ideas of Marathe and Kulkarni then shaped the now famous Shivaji Park and its community in Dadar. “When we were doing research, someone revealed how they [Marathe & Kulkarni] The park was built first, then the surrounding neighborhood was designed. This is an example of their noble thinking,” he commented.
Architecture, he explains, is more than just bland works of architecture. “Many of these are the work of the JJ School of Architecture. Artist Narayan Pansare, for example, is the designer behind the iconic bas-relief structure of the New India Insurance Building in Fort, among other works. Kumar points out, “He He also designed the iconic black lady who won the 1960 Filmfare Award. A model of the figurine borrowed by his son will be on display, as well as his personal paintings and notebooks.
Mustansir Dalvi, professor of architecture and trustee of Bombay Decorative Arts Trust, adds that these works are equally a product of the Art Deco movement and internationalism of the 1930s to 1950s. “The exhibition will have a lot of names, but for each name you can add 10 other names. There are a lot of Indian architects,” Dalvi pointed out, adding that during that period, the entire team developed a synergy.
“We actually have a section called ‘Spirit of Collaboration,’” Kumar explains. Many of these architects will actually work freely and provide assistance to their colleagues upon request. For example, GB Mhatre would design a building and just forget to put his signature on it… This was a group of visionary people and everything we enjoy about the city today is because of them. “
Yet why do people pass by these buildings without any curiosity about their creators? Dalvi had an insight. “These buildings form the urban fabric; they are not monumental, stand-alone buildings,” he said. “Buildings like this often form the backdrop of your life. For 80 to 90 years, people lived happily in them without worrying about who designed them.” These buildings. It is only now, appropriately, that we have taken a retrospective interest in these Indian architects.”
Kumar said the exhibition seeks to change that perception. “This is a collection of memorabilia, photographs and artwork. No one knows what CM Master or GB Mhatre looked like. The juxtaposition of figures, their works, philosophies and education in the exhibition provides a different perspective. These are The focus of responsive creators ensures a higher quality of life in cities,” he concluded.
We feel that this alone has earned them a place in the architecture hall of fame, especially in the real estate sector of Mumbai.
March 2; 11.30am (Inauguration), 2pm to 6pm; March 3rd to March 10th 10.30am to 6pm
AT Durbar Hall, Asia Society, Mumbai, SBS Marg, Fort.
Log in to artdecomumbaitrust.com to register
free
mumbai design
.learn from the past
A conversation with Ojus Chowdhari, grandson of Dattatray Chowdhari, senior partner at the firm of Gregson, Batley and King, which designed the Bank of India and the South Court Building on Malabar Hill.
March 2; 3 p.m.
AT Durbar Hall, Asia Society, Bombay.
.Free Cinema – a national model
Take a walk through the iconic Art Deco interior of one of Mumbai’s showcase theatres.
March 5; 11.30am
AT Liberty Cinemas, New Marines.
.Suna Mahal’s story
A conversation with Mehernosh Sidhwa, the third generation owner of Soona Mahal, an iconic building on Marine Drive.
March 6; 11 a.m.
AT Durbar Hall, Asia Society, Bombay.
[ad_2]
Source link