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The holiday season across the city of Mumbai is one of pure, unadulterated joy. Sweater weather kicks in, people get leave from work, and bars and restaurants are thronged with patrons looking to share the merriment. Stars and lanterns hang in the streets, and fairy lights adorn trees, gifting travellers the holiday spirit. And while several neighbourhoods around the city celebrate this season, none do it with quite as much pomp and pageantry as the folks of Bandra.
From St. Andrew’s Church to Hill Road, and Golibar subway to Linking Road, Bandra’s streets are entwined in the spirit of the holidays, as bright, shining lights illuminate each pathway. Churches are dressed with stars and renditions of the nativity scene, while merry carolers flood the air with festive music. As Homegrown’s elves set out on their sleighs (read: rickshaws), they travelled far and wide across this joyful neighbourhood in search of those cinnamon-scented homes with red-and-green auras, bringing Christmas to life within their living rooms. And we truly struck gold, frankincense and myrrh.
So if you think Santa Claus is coming to town, think again, ‘cause we saw reindeers floating around the suburbs. Scroll on for a glimpse into some of Bandra’s most beautiful homes, all dressed up for Christmas.
I. The Lawrences’ Fairytale Christmas
Buried in Bandra’s Malla area is the Lawrences’ beautiful bungalow, and this holiday season, it’s all dressed up for Christmas like a festive carnival out of a storybook. Fairy lights adorn the entire patio as holly and bright red bows decorate the fence, welcoming you into what can only be described as a Christmas fairytale, one you’d picture in your holiday dreams.
As we marvelled over strings of lights draping a miniature reindeer, candy canes emerging from within the plants, and little silver snowflakes hanging around the beautiful tree, we were awe-struck by Michele Lawrence’s attention to detail. And to add to that, each and every one of her decorations has a story behind it, from the Pohutukawa flower (a New Zealand Christmas flower) at her manger scene representing her son Matthew who lives down under, to the orange flowers at the fence--orange to match the colour of her new car. Stepping into the Lawrence bungalow is like stepping into a whole other world, a magical land sprinkled in Christmas merriment and colour.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because everyone takes the time to meet and greet one another.”
As we spoke with Michele and her beautiful daughter Chrysoberyl, both crowned with red and fluffy white Santa hats, we discovered the faces behind this enchanting house, and attempted to capture their Christmas spirits.
How long have you been decorating your house?
Since the beginning! About 28 years or so.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
The crib, that’s where Jesus is.
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Christmas fruit and rum cake.
What does your Christmas lunch look like?
Sorpotel, stuffed chicken, fugias, salads, mutton curry, rice, and something vegetarian too.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
Decorating!
Your favourite jive or slow song that will make complete this year’s Christmas dance?Rockin’ around the Christmas tree.
II. The Menezes’ Candle-lit Christmas
On the fifth floor of a building just off Bandra’s Turner Road is the beautiful Menezes house, adorned in lights, lights and more lights. As a string of fairy lights embellish the beautiful curtain forming the room’s backdrop, the flickering flames of multiple candles dance around statues of Mother Mary and Joseph. Christmas carols ring around the house, as Cheryl and her daughter Chantelle hang rows of golden beads and little gift boxes around their golden, silver, red and green tree.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because, well, Bandra IS Christmas!”
Chantelle, dressed in red as bright as Santa, gives us a small glimpse into Christmas as the Menezes house this year.
How long have you been decorating your house?
Since I was born.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
Shiny glass baubles with a beautiful, intricate pattern.
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Guava cheese.
Your Christmas lunch favourite?
My grandmother’s stuffed chicken.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
I love how everyone is happy for no reason! Every day is just better in December.
Your favourite jive or slow song that will make complete this year’s Christmas dance
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
III. The Fernandes’ Tree of Lights and Trays of Marzipan
Dotting Perry Cross Road is the big, beautiful Fernandes bungalow, and its three-storey-high Christmas tree of lights. Green, blue and red fairy lights trickle down from the terrace, held together by a huge mechanism of rope and rods. The bottom end of each light string is tied to a large, circular pipe, and a big, bright yellow-and-red star adorns the top.
Along with this magnificent structure of lights, the brainchild of Michael Fernandes, this house also produces trays of marzipan for most of Bandra. Michael, the king of the sweet, crafts 120 kilos of marzipan each Christmas season, and hand paints them to resemble cherries, lemons, and more. For the last ten years, several homes have been ordering his delicious home-made goodies, and his boxes travel far and wide.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because of the friends we have around. There’s a party almost every night!”
As Samantha Fernandes welcomed us into her home to speak to her family, Fiona, Michael and Peter Fernandes give us an insight into their holiday season merriment this year.
How long have you been decorating your house?
Many, many years now. We keep changing the style of decorations from time to time.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
The big tree!
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Oh, it’s everything. Ham, pork, vindaloo--you name it, it’s on the table.
Your Christmas lunch favourite?
My grandmother’s stuffed chicken.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
It’s just the best season of the year!
Your favourite jive or slow song that will make complete this year’s Christmas dance?
Oh, holy night.
IV. The Almeida’s Lit-up Christmas with Zoey the Dog Reindeer
Sitting squarely on the second floor of a Pali Hill building is the Almeida house, lit up with fairy lights and lamps for the holiday season. A Christmas tree wrapped in silver tinsel, lights and ornaments topped with an angel sits alongside Zoey, the resident dog reindeer. Sporting a wooden barn and statues of Mother Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the Three Kings and shepherds, their crib sits illuminated by a hanging lantern. And while the walls are dressed with tinsel and baubles, the bar is adorned with lights and decorations, wishing you a very, merry Christmas.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because the whole neighbourhood is lit up with fairy lights, lanterns and happiness.”
As Zoey the dog reindeer sat silently beside the Christmas tree, we got an insight into the Almeida house holiday festivities lined up this December.
How long have you been decorating your house?
For as long as I can remember. It’s an annual tradition.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
A tattered red-and-green gift bag that we received from ‘Santa’ about 10 years ago, it still hangs on a tree branch every year.
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Kalkals, kalkals and more kalkals.
Your Christmas lunch favourite?
My aunt’s pork roast.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
It’s hard to be unhappy when the air is so light and merry.
V. The Moses’ Christmas of Baubles and Lights
In a big white bungalow in Bandra, which welcomes you with a bright, shining star hanging above the threshold, lies a beautiful crib, lit with colourful round balls of light. Alongside this festive crib featuring statues of baby Jesus, Mother Mary and Joseph is a vibrantly lit Christmas tree, with baubles, stars and angels aplenty. The walls are draped with Santa Claus ornaments and miniature trees, and the dining table sports a two-layered dish for sweets, embossed with cute little trees.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because you get the feeling of Christmas even ten days before it, and it makes you want to do something.”
Marilyn tells us about the holiday season ways of the Moses house, from the sweets to the feast to the very joyful spirit flooding the rooms.
How long have you been decorating your house?
The last 34 years.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
That Santa hanging on the wall, I’ve had it for 20 years.
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Milk cream.
Your Christmas lunch favourite?
Roasted chicken.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
It’s the time for family reunions.
VI. The Ferreira’s Festive Holiday Spirit
Just walking into the Ferreira house feels like Christmas. The beautiful rhythm of carols rings through the rooms as holly, bells and more hang from the ceiling. Candles adorn the tables, as a Christmas tree stands tall and embellished, all dressed up for the holiday season. Gifts line the bottom of the tree, and the spirit of merriment in the air is intoxicating.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because of the paos!”
As we spoke to Adam Ferreira, with a grin on his face, he gave us a series of jokes along with a small insight into his house this December.
How long have you been decorating your house?
All my life.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
The mistletoe [he winks].
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Milk cream.
Your Christmas lunch favourite?
Sorpotel.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
You’re off from work!
Your favourite jive or slow song that will make complete this year’s Christmas dance?
Wonderful tonight.
VII. The Mathias’ Christmas of Lights, Lanterns and Cats
As cats and beautiful lanterns welcome you to the Mathias bungalow in Bandra, the garden outside greets you with warmth and the holiday spirit. Lights drape the trees, and their close-to-20 cats wander about in the merriment. Shapes of Mother Mary, baby Jesus and Joseph are formed with fairy lights, and a Christmas tree glows in the corner with baubles, bells and stars.
“Christmas in Bandra is special because there’s so much joy.”
Marilyn and Stefanie, surrounded by their adorable cats, give us a glimpse into the Mathias house Christmas celebrations.
How long have you been decorating your house?
About 30 years now.
Your favourite Christmas decoration?
The crib.
Best Christmas sweet in your kitchen this year?
Marzipan.
Your Christmas lunch favourite?
Pork vindaloo.
Your favourite thing about this holiday season?
The community spirit.
Photographs: Karan Khosla
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