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The vibrant and sophisticated style of Bombay Art Deco

Some of Mumbai’s architectural treasures in The Art Deco style have just been inscribed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Navin Ramani grew up in one facing the Oval Maidan, but it wasn't until much later, when he was leading walking tours of The Art Deco heritage in Miami Beach, US, that he drew parallels with the rich heritage he had left behind. His fascination with the sophistication and craftsmanship of the Art Deco Style in Mumbai and its ‘light, playful feeling’ led to the making of his book: Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visual Journey 1930-53, published by Roli Books
Curated By: Madhu Kapparath
Published: Jul 13, 2018
The balustrade (left) and the terrazzo flooring at the COURT VIEW (Churchgate, 1933-39) where Navin

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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The balustrade (left) and the terrazzo flooring at the COURT VIEW (Churchgate, 1933-39) where Navin Ramani grew up. The rhythmic motifs and asymmetric movement of the design reflects the Jazz age that surfaced in a big way in the 1930s.
MANECKJI WADIA BUILDING (Fort 1939-45). A distinguished Art Deco office building, with its sober spa

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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MANECKJI WADIA BUILDING (Fort 1939-45). A distinguished Art Deco office building, with its sober spandrels and pilasters exemplified large commercial enterprises that accommodated growing port commerce in the Fort district in the early 1940s. This expression of progressive design acknowledged the complete transformation of Mumbai from a “fortified trading outpost to the first city of India”
Towering figures by the sculptor N.G.Pansare expressing industrial and agricultural themes grace the

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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Towering figures by the sculptor N.G.Pansare expressing industrial and agricultural themes grace the exterior facade of the NEW ASSURANCE BUILDING (Fort,1935-37). Traditional Indian themes introduced an Indian-Deco character to essentially western influenced Art Deco structures.
The symmetry of a vertical window panel and balconies inspired by the nautical Age combine perfectly

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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The symmetry of a vertical window panel and balconies inspired by the nautical Age combine perfectly in the residential building FIRUZ ARA (Churchgate, 1940-49). On the right, a soaring glass panel exhibits a sunburst motif in SHIV SHANTI BHUVAN (Churchgate, 1934-35)
Built on a narrow triangular corner site, the EROS CINEMA (Churchgate, 1938) gives the impression of

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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Built on a narrow triangular corner site, the EROS CINEMA (Churchgate, 1938) gives the impression of a docked ship. Designed by the architect Sohrabji Bhedwar, this plush cinema mirrored the extravagant sets, costumes and the stars of Hollywood movies. Bas reliefs inside the auditorium (right) depicts the story of filmmaking from script to finished film.
Stylised forms of tropical imagery and lettering appear in a lot of the residential buildings, like

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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Stylised forms of tropical imagery and lettering appear in a lot of the residential buildings, like the sun rays in SUNSHINE (Churchgate, 1933-39). These iconic typefaces have never gone out of style. On the right, a richly patterned marble floor leads to the elevator foyer in CHHEDA SADAN (Churchgate, 1932-42).
The striking entrance to ELECTRIC HOUSE EXTENSION BUILDING (Colaba, 1936-39). This is one of the fir

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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The striking entrance to ELECTRIC HOUSE EXTENSION BUILDING (Colaba, 1936-39). This is one of the first grand civic buildings in the Art Deco style. On the right, the streamlined design style of the CRICKET CLUB OF INDIA (Churchgate 1937) seen in its curved contours. Streamlined designs referred to aerodynamics, and the sleek surfaces conveyed a futuristic look.
Winged mythological figures frame the portal of BAI PIROJBAI DADABHOY MANECKJI VATCHA AGIARY (Fort,

Image by : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visua Journey,1930-53 by Navin Ramani

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Winged mythological figures frame the portal of BAI PIROJBAI DADABHOY MANECKJI VATCHA AGIARY (Fort, 1937-45). This Zoroastrian fire temple has an abstract geometric concrete grill and faceted columns that speak of the meticulousness of its makers. “The great thing about the recent UNESCO inscription ” says Navin Ramani, “it will draw funding for rehabilitation and upkeep of this magnificent heritage”.

Acknowledgements: Navin Ramani, Abha Narain Lambah, Priya Kapoor (Roli Books)
Photos courtesy : Roli Books from their book Bombay Art Deco Architecture: A Visual
Journey, 1930-53 by Navin Ramani.

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