Mumbai's Art Deco Gems: A Century of Hidden Architectural Glamour

Mumbai, one of India's largest cities, is home to a remarkable collection of Art Deco buildings. Art Deco is a style of architecture and design that first appeared in Paris in 1925 and quickly spread around the world. It is famous for its geometric shapes, bold colors, and decorative patterns like zigzags, curves, and sunbursts. In Mumbai, Art Deco buildings can be found along the Marine Drive seafront, in cinemas, schools, homes, and even banks.

A great example is the Saudades bungalow in Bandra, built in 1936. Its pink facade and lattice balcony screens show how Mumbai architects blended local features with the international Art Deco style. Unlike other cities, Mumbai's Art Deco buildings often include Indian design elements, such as patterns inspired by Mughal architecture and details from ocean liners docked at the city's busy port. This mix of styles helped Art Deco become a part of everyday life in Mumbai, not just a look for fancy hotels or theaters.

Some of Mumbai's most iconic places, like the Eros Cinema and Liberty Cinema, are built in the Art Deco style. These cinemas have elegant interiors with polished wood, marble, and unique lighting fixtures. Art Deco was popular in Mumbai because it used concrete, which was much faster and cheaper to build with than stone. This made it perfect for a city that was growing quickly and changing its skyline.

Art Deco arrived in Mumbai during British colonial rule. Indian architects who studied in London brought the style back home and adapted it to fit local tastes. They wanted to move away from the old Victorian Gothic buildings and create something modern and fresh. The British did not like Art Deco at first, calling it 'lesser architecture,' but it soon became a symbol of new ideas and independence.

Today, Mumbai is changing again. Many old Art Deco buildings are being replaced by new glass and steel towers. Atul Kumar, founder of the Art Deco Mumbai Trust, has documented more than 1,500 Art Deco buildings, but only about 70 are protected. His organization helps people restore their buildings and shows them how valuable they are. When owners fix up their Art Deco properties, the value often goes up, which encourages more people to preserve them.

Designers like Nidhi Tekwani are also working to keep Art Deco alive by creating new furniture and lighting that fit modern apartments but still use classic Art Deco shapes and patterns. She hopes to make the style popular again for today's lifestyle. Art Deco in Mumbai is more than just a look; it represents hope, creativity, and the spirit of a city that is always changing. These buildings are a link to Mumbai's past and a sign of its bright future.