Urban Heritage : Project Update 2023-24
Director: Rtn. Poonam Lalvani
Chair: Rtn. Priyasri Patodia
Co-chair: Rtn. Jamshed Banaji
Members: Rtn. Ptn. Gauri Daiya, Rtn. Ridhi Damani, Rtn. Ptn. Shailaja Mogul, Rtn. Ptn. Miloni Sampat, Rtn. Ptn. Reema Kothari, Ms. Samina Khorakiwala
Location: Mumbai
1. Urban Heritage Committee has successfully raised Rs. 25 lakhs for the readoption of the Textile & Costume Gallery at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.
This is the second time RCB has adopted this invaluable gallery which houses precious artefacts, costumes and textiles. We are again very grateful to Rtn. Manoj Israni for adopting the Textile & Costume Gallery for the Urban Heritage Committee.
Later, in the year, the Urban Heritage Committee organised an event titled ‘The Legacy Of Deft Hands’ – A Couture Show on May 2nd, 2024, which was to commemorate the rich tapestry of art, heritage, textiles and indigenous costumes showcased at the Textile Gallery of the CSMVS. This initiative was championed by the JSW Foundation and curated by Jade-Monica and Karishma, under the ideation of Urban Heritage Committee Chairperson Priyasri Patodia and the help of Committee members. Mrs Sangita Jindal graciously supported the event and a sum of 1 Crore was spent on this event. The entire amount came from JSW.
2. Adopt A Book Campaign: We are so happy to report that we have done campaigning to Interact Clubs and other schools, colleges and individuals. We have successfully collected Rs 5 lakhs from one donor and many single donors have contacted Asiatic Library for donation for conservation of books.
3. Art Deco: The Urban Heritage Committee and Art Deco Mumbai Trust (ADMT) is pleased to report that their exhibition titled ‘Architects and Firms That Built Modern Bombay,’ held at Durbar Hall, Asiatic Society of Mumbai, from March 2nd- 10th, 2024, received an overwhelming response. About the exhibition: It was an exhibition honouring the architects and firms who built Bombay through the 1930s-50s, with a progressive vision for a modern way of life. Several of them were the first generation of Indian architects, graduating from homegrown schools like Sir J. J. School of Art. As significant as they were, this exhibition is an attempted to transition the narrative from the masters of Neo-Gothic and Indo-Saracenic, and bring attention to architects who eventually had a much wider footprint on the city.