Mumbai’s cognoscenti were in for a rare treat recently when ace photographer Ayesha Taleyarkhan’s eyeful extravaganza, Beyond Bombay Balconies, was released at the Rendezvous at the Taj by citiperson, quintessentially Bombay, Naresh Fernandes. A lavish 170-page colour spread capturing the eclectic tastes of the city through its balconies – art deco, vernacular, gothic and faceless modern – the book, fifth in the author’s series of photo books - records the history of Bombay in a unique fashion. The evening was further enhanced with moderator Alyque Padamsee, Bombay’s famous Adman, stage actor and author inviting each of the six eminent panelists of architects to explain the significance of and leading a discussion on the historic, ethnic and architectural merits the balconies shot by Ayesha, flashed on the screen. .Among the architects participating in the discussion were Ar. Rajiv Mishra, Principal of Sir JJ School of Architecture, Ar. Ratan Batliboi, the architect behind the revamping of Marine Drive, Ar, Anand Pandit, the senior most architecture professor in India, Ar. Vikas Dilawari, conservation and heritage expert, Ar. Suprio Bhattacharjee, architect and writer with Domus, Ar. Zameer Basrai ,young city architect with quirky designs, all well known for their work and teaching in Bombay. Ar. Rajiv Mishra pointed out the loss to our cultural life as open balconies in our diverse ‘wadis’ were being rapidly replaced by closed, air-conditioned spaces with no physical or human connection to the street and neighborhood possible. There were several strong opinions as to the cause of this degradation of neighborhood life. Among the reasons offered were the overcrowding of tall buildings that blocked the free flow of sea breezes that balconies and open architecture were meant to take advantage of, the advent of ‘air conditioning’, and of course preserve zoning regulations that excluded open balconies for FSI calculations, only to be closed in as rooms as soon as building permits were approved. The purpose of the balcony in a space-strapped vertical city like Mumbai, concluded the experts, was to help bring a little of the outside in and to take a little of the inside out. The event was organized and managed by Ar. Siddhant Shah , indiadesigncompany. Amongst the distinguished audience were Ranjit Shahani – Country President, Novartis, India, Dr. Indu Shahani - Principal of H.R. College, ex Sherriff of Bombay, Martin Kriegner – CEO, Lafarge, India, Mehli Gobhai – renowned artist, Ashok Advani, Publisher and leading business personalities of Bombay. Beyond Bombay Balconies available at Nalanda, Taj Hotels, Colaba, Strand Book Stall, Crosswords, Kitab Khana and Title Waves, for Rs 2,995/-, provides a nostalgic and thought provoking gift for the architect, photographer or special friend. Its familiar buildings will provide countless hours of enjoyable viewing and discussion.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 20:39:50 +0000
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