Bombay's architectural heritage?

Bombay's architectural Heritage is exceptionally rich. It blends Gothic, Victorian, Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic as well as contemporary architectural styles. Bombay, even has the second largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world, after Miami.

Sadly, too many of these amazing heritage buildings have fallen into disrepair. For instance, the Watson’s Hotel – India's oldest surviving cast iron building – got listed in 2005 on the list of "100 World Endangered Monuments" by the World Monuments Fund, a New York-based NGO


Regardless of the establishment of the Heritage Committee, which brings together architects, historians and citizens so as to preserve Bombay’s tradition architectural heritage, it seems that the Government's desire and resources attributed to the safeguard of its heritage very limited are. Sad.

Would you known of any interesting initiative (Private or Public) to preserve the city’s architectural heritage, please feel free to post a comment.

Cheers, Jérémie

PS: those shabby buildings do make great photographs.

Jaldee Jaldee!

Bombay. Maximum City. The city that never sleeps.

In a city where peak-rush-hour range from 9am to 10pm, a busy street scene is not extraordinary at all. Nevertheless, I love it.


Above, a busy "pedestrian-only" junction in Dharavi, Asia's largest slum.

The Green House with the Pink window!

India is rich. Rich in culture, food, languages, smells, traditions and Colors.

I have previously posted some pics of a lovely pink house close-by Opera House. These are the photographs of a lovely Blue House with a cute little Pink window.

Hope you like these.

Dhobi Ghats - Mini Serie #3

Life in the Ghats.

More than just a massive Laundromat, the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghats is a quasi Bombay microcosm with its market, stores, restaurants, hotels and schools.

People work and live at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghats. Kids go to school and play.

It is these kids I feature in the following photographs.

The Pink House.

Somewhere in Bombay, hidden closeby the Royal Opera House, I found that cute little pink house facing an equally forgotten flyover.

Dhobi Ghats - Mini Serie #2

Colors, Colors and more Colors.

The following photographs were all shot at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghats. I've had the chance to be able to go there many times, resulting in almost 2000 shots. I hope you enjoy these 4 shots at least as much as I enjoyed shooting them!

Dhobi Ghats - Mini Serie #1

While browsing through all my Bombay pictures I try and find little series of matching pictures. Here is one of them:

The following three pictures were all shot at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghats. They feature men cleaning up in the Ghats.
The Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghats is probably the largest laundry in the world. It is also a genuinly amazing place: high in colors and high in characters. The Dhobi Ghats are one of these truly astounding experiences one can only come across in Incredible India.

Indian Railways - On the Road again!

New York E-Train-conductor yelling in Indian accent: "Please get in the train, it's not that crowded. (door closes and opens again) Get in the freaking train, it's not Mumbai, there is space, and keep you limbs inside the train, please!" -- from www.overheardinnewyork.com

Traveling by train in India is nothing short of SPLENDID and EPIC!

Operational since April 1853, the MUMBAI SUBURBAN RAILWAY carries today more than 6.9 million commuters every day.



Below, two of Bombay's most important train stations:
Churchgate Station


and Bombay (Mumbai) Central Station

Stuff that hangs! :)

Heaps of serial hanging happening in Bombay!

Amidst all the stuff that hangs on Bombay's streets: colorful clothes, food and the ubiquitous Chili-Lime contraptions have particularly drawn my attention.

Pure Art or Genuine Capitalism?

Walking or cycling throughout Bombay, I sometimes come accross those wondrous branding composition.

Love them! And certainly more to come soon! :)

Those little BUGGERS!

Bombay Padmini Taxi's represent for many all they LOVE & HATE in Bombay! Capable of triggering the loudest laughers as well as major frustrations, the yellow & black cabs are a vital part of the city's heritage.

Fiat had decommissioned the Padmini after only three years. With Italian production ceasing in 1960, the entire production line was shipped to India in 1967. India’s Premier Automobiles then manufactured the Premier Padmini in Kurla, Bombay, from 1968 until 1997.

Apparently Greater Mumbai would be home to about 20,000 Premier Padmini taxis. Hard to believe, since I’ve always had the feeling there were over a million of these annoying (yet adorable) little buggers! I was even convinced that each collision between buggers was part of a procreation routine for the survival of the breed. Honest.







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