Bombay Musings

Bombay aka Mumbai is an interesting city by all accounts. Had a visa interview yesterday and so spent most my time there. The first thing that strikes me about Bombay apart from the sheer number of people is the architecture. Short of the hill stations Bombay is probably home to some of our finest urban architecture. What is remarkable about it is what we have done to it.
Yesterday saw this immense circular building that must have been lovingly made many years ago. The windows had iron girders to hang clothes, someone extended the window by enclosing it all in dark glass and cheap aluminum. The shops in front put up high banners. In short, it epitomizes our singular lack of appreciation of a thing of beauty.
I remember this friend of mine once remarking, earlier in British times the municipal corporations were for town planning. Now the only function they do it to collect garbage and sweep streets both of which they do with a singular deficit of attention. How true. Look at all modern townships that have come up. Not one will boast of a unique architecture. Museums and town halls and art galleries and auditoriums are concepts not found in Indian town planners. This all reflects in attitudes. People take pride in defacing work of art because they simply have forgotten that there are things in life beyond roti and kapada. Saw this fort in Jaipur, there was a small nook in a corner with a view that I entered. From outside it apparently had some interesting murals on the wall. On coming closer I realized that its all graffiti with guys describing their love life all over the walls and pan stains and all. 300 years of heritage, scarred and marred on the alter of love!
But I digress. Good thing about Bombay is that most of the architecture is relatively new (last 200 years of so, mostly less) so at least much of it stands. Places like VT/Flora fountain are still a treat to the eyes so much of the residential areas marred. Someday I plan to hitch my camera to the bike and travel around the city and generally loll around soaking in the masterpieces. Only hitch is that the crowd makes it tough doing so during day. So I might take up a job there and do all this early mornings :).