Architecture of Mumbai: Difference between revisions
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[tectural type in the city. |
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====Gateway of India==== |
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The Gateway of India is one of the major monuments in the city, located in the [[Apollo Bunder]] area in [[South Mumbai]]. It is a distinct {{convert|26|m|ft|0}} high arch built from yellow [[basalt]] and [[reinforced concrete]].<ref name="bomcities">{{cite book|last=Dwivedi|first=Sharada |coauthors=Rahul Mehotra|title=Bombay – The Cities Within|publisher=India Book House|location=Mumbai|year=1995|isbn=978-81-85028-80-4|accessdate=2008-11-15}}</ref> Many elements of the arch are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century [[Gujarat]], the pillars are derived from the design of Hindu temples and the design of the Gateway's windows derive from [[Islamic architecture]]. |
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The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]] to Bombay, prior to the [[Delhi Durbar]], in December 1911.<ref name="bomcities"/> The foundation stone was laid on 31 March 1911, by Governor of Bombay [[Sir George Sydenham Clarke]], and the final design of [[George Wittet]] was sanctioned in August 1914. The foundations were completed in 1920, and construction was finished in 1924.<ref name="bomcities"/> |
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The building got the name the Gateway of India, because in the colonial era the Europeans entered India from this location, |
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it was normally the first thing they would see while entering the country. |
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=== Art Deco === |
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The Deco period began in 1910 when Art Nouveau slid out of fashion. Art deco’s linear symmetry was a distinct departure from the flowing asymmetrical organic curves of its predecessor style art nouveau. Art Deco is an eclectic style and designers drew inspiration from many sources. Artifacts from Ancient Egypt and Greece, Meso-America, Africa, Japan and China that had all been influential. Cubism, Orphism, Futurism and Constructivism provided an abstract, geometric language that was quickly assimilated into the Deco style and the high styles of European tradition continued to provide inspiration. |
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Art Deco had a unique impact in America, especially in Manhattan. Skyscrapers, such as the Chrysler Building in New York, became icons of the new style, while jazz became the music of the city. The popularity of Hollywood films did much to promote Art Deco to an international audience worldwide. |
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=== Art Deco in Mumbai === |
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Art Deco is one of Mumbai’s least noticed architectural styles, though Mumbai and its suburbs possibly have the largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world.Art Deco in India (and especially in Mumbai) evolved into a unique style that came to be called Deco-Saracenic. Essentially, it was a combination of the Islamic and the Hindu architectural styles. The main features of the Indo Saracenic Style were the construction of domes, arches, spires, stained glasses and minarets. The interiors have Victorian influences while the exterior was Indian. |
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Deco details touch every architectural aspect – lamps, flooring, wood panelling, lifts, railings and grills, muntins, chajjias or weather shades, plinth copings and mouldings, cornices, verandahs and balconies, bronze and stainless steel fittings, brackets, etched glass, ornamental sculptures that extended to names carved out in giant letters, facades that are very airy and built in stepped -back style, etc. |
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Mumbai’s Art Deco stands out not only because it uses the easy blend of Deco-Saracenic but also because architects have used a variety of materials to express design freely. For instance, many buildings have been constructed entirely out of reinforced cement concrete but has a facing of Malad stone. Bharat Tiles, India’s oldest tile manufacturers, also played an integral part in the shaping of Art Deco interiors. |
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Some of the most visited architectural sites in Mumbai are: |
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• The Mahalakshmi Temple |
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• The Jahangir Art Gallery |
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• The High Court |
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• The General Post Office |
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• Crawford Market |
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• Afghan Church |
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• The Flora Fountain |
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• Regal Cineam |
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[[File:ErosTheater.jpg|thumb|right|[[Eros Cinema]]]][[File:Metro-Cinema.jpg|thumb|left|Metro Cinema now [[Metro Adlabs|Metro Adlabs Cinema]]]] |
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Art Deco architecture in Mumbai developed during the 1930s and produced distinctly angular shaped buildings with facades. Mumbai has the second largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world. [[Eros Cinema]] is a typical art deco building, designed by architect [[Sohrabji Bhedwar]]. The foundation of Eros Cinema was laid in 1935.<ref name="India9">{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Eros-Cinema-64631.htm|title=Eros Cinema|publisher=India9.com|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> The cinema opened in 1938 and construction of this building on the then newly reclaimed Backbay plot housing shops and other businesses, apart from the cinema, took about two and a half years to complete. Partially faced with red Agra sandstone, this building is painted cream. The two wings of this Art Deco building meet up in a central block. The foyer is in white and black marble with touches of gold. [[Marble]] staircases with chromium handrails lead up to the upper floor.<ref name="India9"/> The murals are in muted colours depicting Indian architectures. |
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The [[Metro Adlabs|Metro Adlabs Cinema]], located on [[Mahatma Gandhi Road]], at Dhobitalao Junction is also a good example of the Art Deco style of architecture that appeared in the 1930s in the city. The Metro Cinema opened on 8 June 1938 and was designed by noted American theatre architect [[Thomas W. Lamb]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1720/|title=Metro Big Cinema|publisher=Cinema Treasures|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> It was built for [[Metro Goldwyn Mayer]] and seating was provided for 1,491 people in orchestra and balcony levels. The auditorium reopened in 2006 and was sub-divided into six large luxury screens. The cinema features mainly Bollywood and Hollywood films. |
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==Contemporary architecture and development== |
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[[File:Bombay Stock Exchange.JPG|thumb|right|[[Bombay Stock Exchange]] building — an example of [[contemporary architecture]].]] |
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As the wealthiest city in India,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indicus.net/Media/index.php/mediahome/1442-demand-curve-india-needs-cities-network-for-easy-rural-urban-shift|title=Demand Curve - India needs cities network for easy rural urban shift|publisher=Indicus Analytics|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> Mumbai attracts an enormous amount of international investment and has seen a large number of modern high-rise office buildings and flats spring up in recent decades. In many parts of the city, particularly the newer suburbs, modern buildings dominate the landscape away from the old part of the city. Mumbai has by far the largest number of skyscrapers in India, with 956 existing buildings and 272 under construction and many more planned as of August 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/?id=102037|title=Tall Buildings of Mumbai|publisher=Emporis|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> |
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The [[Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority]] (MMRDA) was established in 1974 by the [[Government of Maharashtra]] to manage the planning and co-ordination of development activities in the city and to overlook the architectural development of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/|title=Welcome to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority|publisher=[[Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority]]|accessdate=15 August 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090831070601/http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/| archivedate= 31 August 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> |
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In 1995 the Heritage Committee in Mumbai was established, unifying architects, historians and citizens to preserve the city's tradition architectural heritage. A grading system has since been used under the heritage regulations to categorize buildings according to importance: the most important landmarks of national significance are categorized as Heritage Grade I, buildings of regional importance as Heritage Grade II and buildings of urban importance as Heritage Grade III.<ref name="The Hindu"/> |
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[[File:Mumbaiskyline.jpg|500px|thumb|center|A part of the city showing more modern buildings]] |
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==Notable buildings== |
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Many notable buildings exist in Mumbai, some of which attract tourists. These include the [[Gateway of India]], [[Mahalaxmi Temple (Mumbai)|Mahalakshmi Temple]], [[Jehangir Art Gallery]], [[Bombay High Court]], [[Crawford Market]], [[Taj Mahal Hotel]], [[Flora Fountain]], [[Afghan Church]], [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai|St. Xavier's College]], the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]] and [[General Post Office (Mumbai)]]. |
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===Taj Mahal Hotel=== |
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The [[Taj Mahal Hotel|Taj Mahal Palace]] hotel resort was commissioned by [[Tata Group|Tata]] and first opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1903. The original Indian architects were Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza, and the project was completed by an English [[engineer]] W. A. Chambers. The cost of construction was £250,000 (£127 million today).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/27/mumbai-terror-attacks-india5|title=Mumbai Terror Attacks|publisher=The Guardian|date=27 November 2008|accessdate=15 August 2009 | location=London | first=Sadie | last=Gray| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090826185528/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/27/mumbai-terror-attacks-india5| archivedate= 26 August 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> During World War I, the hotel was converted into a 600-bed hospital. The dome of the hotel is made from the same steel as used in the [[Eiffel Tower]]. Jamsedji Tata imported the same steel during that time. The hotel was the first in India to install and operate a steam elevator. |
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{{gallery |
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|width=212 |
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|File:Crawford Market.png|[[Crawford Market]] |
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|File:Flora Fountain at night.JPG|[[Flora Fountain]] |
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|File:Don bosco wadala mumbai.jpg|Don Bosco Wadala |
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|File:KnesetEliyahooSynagogue.JPG|[[Knesset Eliyahoo]] synagogue |
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}} |
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===Crawford Market=== |
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[[Crawford Market]], in south Mumbai<!-- Mumbai? --> is named after [[Arthur Crawford]], the first [[Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai|Municipal Commissioner]] of the city. The building, completed in 1869, was donated to the city by [[Cowasji Jehangir]]. In 1882, the building was the first market in India to be lit up by electricity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaibombay-hotels.com/attractions-mumbai/crawford-market.html|title=Crawford Market|publisher=Mumbai Bombay Hotels|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> The edifice is a blend of Norman, Flemish and Gothic architectural styles.<ref name="AA">{{cite web|url=http://americanairlines.wcities.com/en/record/,320124/683/record.html|title=Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market (Crawford Market) |publisher=[[American Airlines]]|accessdate=15 August 2009|archiveurl = http://wayback.archive.org/web/20071120054848/http://americanairlines.wcities.com/en/record/%2C320124/683/record.html |archivedate = 20 November 2007|deadurl=yes}}</ref> The [[frieze]]s on the outside entrance depicting Indian farmers, and the stone fountains inside, were designed by [[Lockwood Kipling]], father of novelist [[Rudyard Kipling]].<ref name="AA"/> The market covers an area of 22,471 sq m (24,000 sq ft) which 5,515 sq m (6,000 sq ft) is occupied by the building itself. The structure was built using coarse buff coloured Kurla stone, with redstone from [[Bassein]]. |
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{{gallery |
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|width=212 |
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|File:Highcourt.jpg|[[Bombay High Court]] |
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|File:Majestic House, Colaba.jpg|Majestic House |
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|File:David Sassoon Library.jpg|[[David Sassoon Library]] |
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|File:Bombay Municipal Corporation.JPG|[[Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai|Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation building]] |
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}} |
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===Watson's Hotel=== |
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[[File:Watson's-Hotel.jpg|thumb|right|[[Watson's Hotel]]]] |
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[[Watson's Hotel]], currently known as the Esplanade Mansion, is located in the [[Kala Ghoda]] area of Mumbai and is India's oldest surviving [[cast iron]] building.<ref name="toast">{{cite news|url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=135972|title=Now listed as 'endangered', Watson’s Hotel was once toast of Bombay|last=Choudhury|first=Chitrangada |date=24 June 2005|work=[[Indian Express]]|publisher=[[Express Group]]|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> It was named after its original owner John Watson and designed by civil engineer [[Rowland Mason Ordish]], who was also associated with the [[St Pancras Station]] in London. The building was fabricated in England between 1867 and 1869 from [[cast iron]] components and was assembled and constructed on site. The external cast-iron frame closely resembles other high-profile 19th century buildings such as London's [[The Crystal Palace|Crystal Palace]]. The main façade of the hotel is distinguished by wide, open balconies on each floor that connected the guest rooms, which were built around the [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] in a courtyard arrangement.<ref name="mirror">{{cite news|title=India's 'cast iron' bldg crumble|date=2 July 2005|work=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|publisher=[[Times Group]]|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> |
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Neglect of the building has resulted in decay and, despite its listing as a Grade II–A heritage structure, the building is now in a dilapidated state. The condition of the building was publicized by Italian architect [[Renzo Piano]] and heritage activists, and as a result of their efforts, the building was listed in June 2005 on the list of "100 World Endangered Monuments" by the [[World Monuments Fund]], a New York-based NGO.<ref name="rediff">{{cite news|url=http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/jun/21mum.htm|title=Mumbai's Watson's Hotel in endangered structures list|last=Joshi|first=Monika|date=21 June 2005|work=[[Rediff.com]]|accessdate=15 August 2009}}</ref> |
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=== Places of worship === |
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{{Gallery |
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|lines=4 |
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|width=212 |
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|File:Mount Mary Church (Bombay).jpg|[[Mount Mary Church]] |
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|File:Banganga temple shikhara.jpg|Banganga Temple |
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|File:Don bosco wadala mumbai.jpg|Don Bosco Wadala |
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|File:KnesetEliyahooSynagogue.JPG|[[Knesset Eliyahoo]] synagogue |
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|File:Afghan-Church, Bombay-FV.jpg|[[Afghan Church]] |
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|File:SEEPZ church 4.jpg|Ruins of [[St. John the Baptist Church, Mumbai|St. John the Baptist Church]] in [[Andheri]], built by the Portuguese [[Jesuits]] in 1579 |
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|File:St thomas Cathedreal.jpg|[[St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai|St. Thomas Cathedral]] was the first [[Anglican]] church in Mumbai |
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|File:St. Michael's Church, Mahim 4.jpg|[[St. Michael's Church (Mumbai)|St. Michael's Church]] in [[Mahim]], oldest Portuguese [[Franciscan]] church in Mumbai, built in 1534 |
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}} |
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=== Forts === |
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{{gallery |
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|lines = 3 |
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|width = 212 |
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|Image:Sewri fort courtyard.jpg|Sewri Fort |
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|Image:Castella de Aguada 7.jpg|Bandra Fort |
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|Image:Bassein Fort embellishment.jpg|Bassein fort main entrance with embellishments |
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|Image:Mahim Fort 3.jpg|Mahim Fort |
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|Image:Mumbai fort remains 6.jpg|Ft. St George's wall |
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|Image:Madh-fort5.jpg|[[Madh Fort]] from Versova |
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}} |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
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{{commons category|Mumbai}} |
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{{Mumbai topics}} |
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{{Architecture of India}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Architecture Of Mumbai}} |
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[[Category:Mumbai]] |
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[[Category:Indian architecture]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Mumbai]] |
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[[Category:Architecture in India by city|Mumbai]] |
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Revision as of 06:26, 14 May 2013
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