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With its enchanting coastline and multiple boulevards, the old world charm of South Bombay—or ‘town’, as the locals prefer to call it—has remained intact over the years. In fact, it has probably even grown. With new boutiques and bars opening up every other week, the areas of Colaba, Fort, Cuffe Parade, Worli et al are a perfect blend of modernity (as we know it) and the legacy of yesteryears. A legacy that, until now, was treasured only by the residents of the city, but will now be appreciated by the rest of the world as well.
On 30 June 2018, UNESCO declared the Mumbai precincts of Fort and Marine Drive as prestigious World Heritage Sites for its huge collection of gothic and art deco structures, making Mumbai the second city in India to be inscribed on the list. The first one being Ahmedabad. This is Mumbai’s third UNESCO tag after Elephanta Caves and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Maharashtra has two more UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
Mumbai has a rich collection of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco architectural buildings located around the Oval Maidan near Churchgate. These Victorian gothic feats include public buildings like the High Court, Mumbai University, Old Secretariat, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Library, Western Railways and Maharashtra Police headquarters. These structures were co-sponsored by many wealthy Indians during the British Raj in the 19th century and have long been the pride of the city’s growing cultural significance.
We also house the world’s largest collection of art deco buildings, after Miami in the United States. Marble staircases and a burst of colours reflecting the aspirations of a whole new class of people, these art deco buildings stand in vivid contrast against their dignified Victorian-era counterparts. Constructed in the 20th century, these structures include the Cricket Club of India, the iconic Eros, Liberty, and Regal cinema halls, buildings along the beautiful boulevard of Marine Drive, and the first row of Backbay Reclamation scheme.
For the longest time, Mumbai has held its place in the international tourism industry for being the financial capital of the country. Now, it stands branded as a destination of immense of cultural significance as well. UNESCO’s decision to add these buildings to the list of prominent World Heritage Sites is also a resurrection of sorts, a call for action for the rest of the country to pay attention to the architecture of our past—regardless of the pain that remains embedded in its history.
Read the full report by The Wire here.
Feature Image Courtesy : www.travelguideline.net
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