World Heritage Week: In conversation with Vikas Dilawari on conserving 'Bombay'

How challenging is the restoration of heritage structures?

Vikas Dilawari: Working on heritage structures is extremely challenging as they have been designed and built by some of the best hands. While working on a heritage structure, you have to underplay your ego (especially the architect’s ego of being the creator) and respect the person who originally created the structure. To get the same level of skill and the use of like-to-like materials in present day is the art in restoration. Unlike designing and building something new, which you can quantify and comprehend, working on restoration is fairly difficult. The clients should trust you and give you flexibility. A team of skilled craftsmen turns a conservation project into a success.

In your opinion, which heritage structures in South Mumbai need restoration?

Vikas Dilawari: All heritage structures require periodic maintenance; the ones that are not maintained will require more repair. Government-owned public buildings i.e., prime landmarks (Grade I) of the city suffer from ill-informed, ad hoc and unwanted repairs. 
The lesser significant buildings i.e., Grade II suffer from lack of maintenance, ad hoc additions and alterations. But the major chunk that requires repair is the residential stock (Grade III and precinct,) which are privately-owned or tenanted. These suffer from zero maintenance due to the Rent Control Act. Since no repair is carried out, these structures dilapidate with the passage of time. Presently, they are undergoing massive redevelopment. 

How difficult is it to find skilled labour who can help complete restoration projects? 

Vikas Dilawari: There is a complete lack of patronage. As a result, we don’t get good craftsmen and skilled hands. Cheaper alternatives are preferred both in material and technology. Unlike the West, we are experimenting; hence one has to be lucky enough to get a good client first, one who understands and appreciates craftsmanship, and it’s only then that we can search for or train the craftsmen.

Nowadays, most construction is done with cement while the older heritage structures made use of lime plaster. So how does it work now?

Vikas Dilawari: The lime mortar work is long-lasting as compared to cement. It (lime mortar) is a slow-setting, breathable product and includes lot of procedure and natural products. However, unlike cement it is not available as an off-the-shelf product. So if the work is not carried out well then the local phrase chuna lagaya holds true. You’ll be lucky if you can get craftsmen who know how to use it as it is a lost art. 

What advice would you give to citizens regarding conservation?

Vikas Dilawari: We hope that the citizens of Mumbai take pride in what they have inherited; as good custodians if they can pass this on to the next generation, then a lot would be accomplished. Unfortunately, due to factors like lack of awareness, pride, no incentives from the government and poor living conditions, we are facing a loss of heritage. The present day development is greed-driven and self-centred; it lacks the vision, which benefited the society and resulted in the heritage we see today.

What should be done to raise awareness about heritage structures?  

Vikas Dilawari: As far as the public is concerned, we need two things: 1) basic awareness at the school level, 2) taking pride in owning or staying in a heritage structure/area. As for the government, they should do their bit in encouraging repairs and restoration and giving incentives, which is currently missing. Giving awards is one positive way to recognise efforts; the Indian Heritage Society Awards raise awareness and so do the international UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards.