Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #ArtDecoMumbai
Most recents (6)
Anandashram, Matunga
The Dadar-Matunga Street Scheme, which was notified in 1899, contemplated laying out plots systematically on the land to the north of the Island City, which were primarily rice fields. (1/9)
The Dadar-Matunga Street Scheme, which was notified in 1899, contemplated laying out plots systematically on the land to the north of the Island City, which were primarily rice fields. (1/9)
The space that was laid out in grids, with a complete network of roads and easy accessibility to the tramway and railway stations, was demarcated as "residential". (2/9)
The scheme, which originally ensured private plots for bungalows and villas with their own gardens, had to be reworked as an increasing number of people migrated to the suburbs, creating a housing scarcity. (3/9)
#72YearsOfLibertyCinema Inaugurated on 21 March, 1949. The Liberty Cinema, now a Grade-II Heritage Site and also known as “the showplace of the nation” was designed to be both “local and global, modern and traditional’’. M A Ridley-Abbott was appointed the architect (1/7) 
Unfortunately, soon after the completion of the first floor, he died in a plane crash while travelling to England on holiday. J B Fernandes completed the construction work.
(2/7)
(2/7)
W. M. Namjoshi, an interior and furniture designer, created the distinctive décor of the theatre’s exterior and interior with the help of Habib Hoosein. One striking details of the cinema's exterior is the theatre’s name spelled out in neon and a streamlined piano keyboard (3/7)
#72YearsOfLibertyCinema Celebrating the inauguration of the iconic Liberty Cinema.
The Art Deco gem was built by Habib Hoosein, who was trained in the cotton trade but whose real passion was film. He famously named it “Liberty” in honour of India’s independence (1/8)
The Art Deco gem was built by Habib Hoosein, who was trained in the cotton trade but whose real passion was film. He famously named it “Liberty” in honour of India’s independence (1/8)
Moving away from Hollywood, it showed only Hindi films. "That a house of this kind should declare itself exclusive for Indian films is a matter of pride and pleasure to the industry." - Motion Picture Magazine, April 1949 (2/8)
Hoosein’s son, Nazir, who was seven years old at the time, was present at the cinema’s inauguration and ceremoniously cut the ribbon. Habib Hoosein insisted the first screening be for the workers who had built the Liberty, and their families (3/8)
Eros cinema was designed with exquisite interiors to compliment its grand exterior.
The cinema theatre, claimed to be the most up-to date cinema of its time, was designed to produce the best possible acoustic properties (1/6)
The cinema theatre, claimed to be the most up-to date cinema of its time, was designed to produce the best possible acoustic properties (1/6)
The perforated rubber cinema screen was the largest of its kind in India. The stage, measuring 46 feet by 26 feet was one of the largest in existence, and had an orchestra space to accommodate about 50 musicians (2/6)
One of the highlights was the fire-proof safety curtain weighing two and a half tons, driven by motors – the only one of its kind in the whole of the East. The cinemas interior was surrounded with life-sized plaster reliefs, which were specially made by an Italian artist (3/6)
Ram-Nam, Marine Lines on Cinema Road, behind Metro cinema, the popular Art Deco picture palace in Dhobi Talao. #MeherMarfatia talks about its construction that obstructed the sea view. Resident of nearby Jehangir mansion, Pesi Khansaheb, paid Rs 4 extra a month - Rs 72
instead of Rs 68 for 4th floor sea views. Ram-Na m is a majestic streamlined street corner building with reeded spandrels and a cylindrical turret at the roof. Tanya George @tanyatypes says, "The lettering for the building name uses bold, geometric shapes. The stencil-like effect
created due to the lack of counter spaces creates a striking design. The letterforms are also quite similar to Milton Glaser’s famous Baby Teeth typeface seen in one of his most famous works, the Dylan poster. I wonder how much the design was influenced by the typeface
Ganesha at Liberty Cinema. Late Nazir Hoosein (Owner of Liberty) relates: In 1994 Barjatya’s of Rajshri Productions wanted to release Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (HAHK). “We love your cinema, & we want to put our new picture here, but you’ll have to change the sound system.” Contd.
I said, “It will cost me 10 lacs. What happens if your film bombs?” So they said “If it bombs, we’ll pay you whatever you’ve paid for the sound system.” I said done. No agreement, nothing. Just a good handshake. The rest, as they say, is history. Contd.
‘’From 5 Aug 1994, HAHK ran 44 consecutive house full weeks, a total of 125 weeks and about 2 million people saw it over 2,625 shows. I think that’s a record for a single screen theatre. The Ganesha was gifted by Rajshri’’. It still adorns the lobby. Contd.
