Moses Somake
(A Jewish, who made karachi beautiful)
Such a rich and elegant architectural history of Karachi , the city which charms you into falling in love with her
Not many people know that many of the Karachi's most beautiful buildings were designed by a Jewish architect "
(A Jewish, who made karachi beautiful)
Such a rich and elegant architectural history of Karachi , the city which charms you into falling in love with her
Not many people know that many of the Karachi's most beautiful buildings were designed by a Jewish architect "
Moses Somake".
He belonged to a Spanish Jewish family, who lived in Iraq and migrated to Lahore. Where Somake was born on 6th June 1875. Later, they moved to karachi, which was then regarded as the city of tolerance and religious harmony. Imagine a Catholic christian community
He belonged to a Spanish Jewish family, who lived in Iraq and migrated to Lahore. Where Somake was born on 6th June 1875. Later, they moved to karachi, which was then regarded as the city of tolerance and religious harmony. Imagine a Catholic christian community
asking a Jew to design a club for them and Muslim community had also commisioned Somake to design a Mosque for them.
Very little information is available about Somake's education and his formal training in architecture, although no such institute was available in Karachi in
Very little information is available about Somake's education and his formal training in architecture, although no such institute was available in Karachi in
those days. However he was the memeber of British Society of Architects in the first decade of 20th century. That shows his calibre into his field.
Before the age of 25, he designed the building now known as "Flag staff house". A master piece indeed. The buildings like Mules
Before the age of 25, he designed the building now known as "Flag staff house". A master piece indeed. The buildings like Mules
Mansion Keemari, Bristol hotel, Khaliqdeena hall, Goan association hall, Edward house, Victoria Mansion and Jaffer Fuddoo dispensary Kharadar speak the calibre of their creator.
Somake's buildings, particularily the Mules Mansion, Edward house and Victoria Mansion have human
Somake's buildings, particularily the Mules Mansion, Edward house and Victoria Mansion have human
attributes. They talk to you. They tell you the stories of their gloriuos past. They have tears in their eyes. They are aged but refuse to be forgotten.
Somake left karachi in early 1940's. Where he died just few months before the partition. His grand daughter
Somake left karachi in early 1940's. Where he died just few months before the partition. His grand daughter
"Doreen" writes about him as this.
"Papa was kind and caring person and loved to play with his grand children. His house in London was bombed in world war- II. Luckily he was safe as he had already moved away during the blitz. Most of his belongings were destroyed including
"Papa was kind and caring person and loved to play with his grand children. His house in London was bombed in world war- II. Luckily he was safe as he had already moved away during the blitz. Most of his belongings were destroyed including
his work and designs. He evacuated London and came to stay with us in Norwich. After the war was over, he moved back to London. He always remained in love with karachi and never worked again after he left the city where he lived most of his life.
He died on 6th April 1947 peacefully during sleep due to stroke".
#karachi
#copied
@threadreaderapp kindly compile it
#karachi
#copied
@threadreaderapp kindly compile it
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