While the significance of this might be lost on the average citizen of the city or the country, this inscription is a highly opportune achievement for this very reason. Recent events (read: the demolition of the ‘Hall of Nations’, Delhi) have highlighted the endangerment that our architectural heritage, which also informs important milestones in the building of a free and proud nation, faces as a result of this very lack of awareness. The UNESCO Heritage inscription will, thankfully, protect and preserve this particular group of architectural trophies from such perilous negligence.

Art Deco, a movement in the decorative arts and architecture that originated and developed in the 1920 – 30 decade in Western Europe and the US, was an expression of modernistic flair and flamboyance in the face of both, oppressive classicism as well as monotonous, assembly-line industrialism. The new and fancy combination of reticulate geometry and resplendent classical motifs, of restrained linear facades and indulgently curvaceous corners, was fashionable and appealing to an aspirational citizenry, even in many post-colonial societies including in India.  

Other characteristic features of this design styles include tropical imagery, nautical design, architectural lettering, ziggurats, fluted corners, phased set-backs that gave an illusion of skyscrapers, streamlining like airplanes and locomotives, “eyebrows” (projecting edge over a structure’s portico to protect it from harsh sun), porthole-style windows and classical Egyptian elements like hieroglyphics and sphinxes.

As India started the process of becoming an independent sovereign state at the end of World War II, its newly empowered and aspirational citizens sought various media of expression that would celebrate their new status. Bombay was just expanding its port trade, brimming with new businesses and industries, and attracting employment seekers. The city’s wealthy families of industrialists and merchants of took to articulating their re-aligned equations with the world market through what they built. They enthusiastically adopted the Art Deco style of architecture in their new buildings of residence, entertainment and business. These are more than 200 in number, located in mostly a group in the area of south Mumbai like Churchgate, Colaba, Fort and Mohammadali Road, but also found in areas like Dadar, Matunga, Bandra and Chembur. 

The South Mumbai group that lines the front of Backbay reclamation scheme and of Marine Drive, standing on the western edge of the iconic Oval Maidan, bounded by the Arabian Sea on another side which includes buildings like Cricket Club of India, Ram Mahal, cinema houses Eros and Regal, Taraporewala Aquarium and many more landmarks of the city has received this singular recognition from the UNESCO.

Across the Oval Maidan, on its eastern side, are located the group of Victorian Gothic buildings with their intricate embellishments and towering spires, that also enjoy heritage status. These include public buildings of the High Court, Mumbai University, Old Secretariat, NGMA, David Sassoon Library, Elphinstone College, Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vaastu Sangrahalay, Western Railway Headquarters and others, which have long defined the Mumbai skyline.

But, as also underlined by architect, conservationist and champion of the current cause, Abha Narain Lambah, these 20^th century Art Deco structures have always been overshadowed by the better known 19^th century Victorian counter parts. And, it was important to preserve these as architectural records of the next chapter in India’s story, as expressions of newfound power and aspiration. But, these buildings have fallen to perilous neglect due to weather, pollution, inability to maintain them on account of various constraints, etc. and were dangerously poised for extinction till a group of influential citizens took up their cause.

A project was began by the financier Atul Kumar turning conservationist to set up the project Art Deco Mumba, which started documenting each and every Art Deco building in Mumbai and had a website dedicated to it. Community historian Sharada Dwivedi and architect Rahul Mehrotra have documented the treasure in their book Bombay Deco and a jewellery brand has even come out with a line inspired by Bombay Deco! Various citizen groups actively participate in the initiative to preserve this historical heritage like Urban Development Research Institute (UDRI), NAGAR,  the Oval Trust and Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens' Association The Oval-Cooperage Residents Association (OCRA),  to name a few, to join professionals who also have been petitioning to secure UNESCO World Heritage Site status for these buildings.

Finally, having been recommended by a Paris based technical committee and impressively represented by a delegation that included conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah and state Urban Development secretary, Nitin Kareer among others, the campaign fructified into the inscription. As congratulations poured in from the Indian Prime Minister, Maharashtra Chief Minister and others, Mumbai became home to a third UNESCO heritage site after Elephanta and CSMT. It is indeed wonderful that the collection of Art Deco buildings that is second in size in the entire world, next only to Miami’s, was recognised for preservation. We wish similar efforts be put in to preserve our architectural heritage of various periods in time, that articulated a proud nation's progress and aspirations, and save such gems from being lost forever.