Mr. Shiavax Cawasji Cambata, a prominent businessman and owner of Eros Cinema, spared no expense in the making of this magnificent theatre (1/5)
After 5 years of careful thought and planning with experts from all parts of the world, Cambata successfully built an ultra-modern enterprise that stood higher than anything that was attempted in the Entertainment world of this country and many European cities (2/5)
The chairs of the theatre were designed after Mr. Cambata personally examined chairs of all types in Europe and America. The air conditioners were manufactured by Clarage Fan Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A (3/5)
Along with films by the most well-known producers all over the world, the theatre also promised to stage ambitious theatrical productions including cabarets and educational programmes for the younger generations (4/5)
Eros was envisaged to serve as a worthy landmark and contribute to the cultural development of the city. Since it opened in 1938, Eros has been entertaining generations of citizens for nearly 80 years, until it’s unfortunate closure in 2016.
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 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
Rajjab Mahal, Oval, 1936 - The curious case of the mullion & transom . Architects of that time took ownership for the overall design sensibility of the building. Apart from the facade, common spaces like the compound, compound walls, staircases, lobby, grilles, flooring,
balconies and windows exhibited a harmonious aesthetic reflected through similar patterns, materials or the use of colours, all subtly pleasing to the eye. The diagonal mullion and horizontal transom in the stunning windows at Rajjab are a great example. They serve no purpose of
supporting the window frame but hold the glass panes in place. It's a visual element thoughtfully put in place by architect Merwanji Bana & Co. in consonance with the design patterns on the facade. Did you know that already? Sliding aluminium windows anyone? #WindowDesign
NM Petit Fasli Agiary, Churchgate, 1939, Designed by Gregson, Batley & King.
“Nasserwanji Maneckji Petit built the only Fasli place of worship existing even today, the N.M. Petit (Fasli) Atash Kedah at New Marine Lines” described as “perhaps the largest agiary in India and
certainly the tallest fire temple.” - #Parsiana 2019 & 1979. A severely restrained treatment of wall surfaces and of features reminiscent of the early building traditions of the homeland of Prophet Zoroaster provide a modern interpretation of a temple. The guardian bulls were
sculptured by an Italian sculptor introduced by the firm of Art Floorings responsible for the pure white marble fire pavilion and the paving of the prayer hall. The bulls have been made the chief feature of the main facade and designed with a dignity, simplicity and scale that
Marine Drive & the automobile, 1953.Archival pic from “Our Bombay,” a Dec. 1953 publication by Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) in which Prime Minister Nehru wrote: ‘A city, like a house, is not a mere collection of steel and brick, cement and mortar. It is the outward
expression of the life of a community’. Marine Drive with 35 consecutive Art Deco sea facing buildings was the road to be on. The automobile brought speed, power, streamlined design, mobility and symbolised both success and affluence in a modern aspirational city. In these pics
Karl Bhote tells us we see a mix of primarily English and American cars. Convertibles were already falling out of favour, confirmed by only one seen at the bottom right, likely a Sunbeam Talbot drophead coupe. Since this is the pre 'Fiat Ambassador' days, we see mostly foreign
Marble Arch, Cumbala Hill, 1940’s. Architect: Gajanan B. Mhatre, A.R.I.B.A. Despite the limitations of the apartment template, some architects like Claude Batley and G B Mhatre were creative and unique in their apartment designs, especially in the way their buildings were sited,
proportioned and detailed. Mhatre’s later buildings, Marble Arch on Pedder Road was outstanding when built in the 1940s and remains so today. It is especially interesting in its site placement and entry way. Marble Arch is curved so that both sides are seen as you approach it
from Pedder Road. The building is not set back from the road uniformly. The logic of its orientation becomes clearer when you see that Marble Arch was part of a group of buildings set around an open space. The buildings, KumKum, Ark Royal and Windcliff, also designed by Mhatre,