Royal Opera House on global list of endangered architectural sites

The Royal Opera House has become the second building in the city after the Watson’s Hotel to be included in the World Monuments Watch, a list of endangered architectural sites.

On October 5, the non-profit World Monuments Fund (WMF) included the building in its 2012 list which has 67 architectural sites that are under risk of being lost.

The Royal Opera House, which gives its name to the locality, was nominated for inclusion on the list by city researcher and writer, Sharada Dwivedi.

The building is now owned by the former royal family of Gondal who have plans to restore it. Dwivedi said, “This is great news; not only does the listing put the building on the international map, but it will also get the attention of corporate houses that may want to help the restoration.” 

The Royal Opera House was built in 1915 in the Baroque style popular in Central Europe by Maurice Bandmann, an entertainer from Kolkata, and Jehangir Framji Karaka, a coal broker. The hall hosted operas and drama, including performances by Bal Gandharva and Prithviraj Kapoor till 1935 when it was converted into a movie hall, but as single-theatre cinemas fell into bad days with the coming of multiplexes, the Royal Opera House closed down two decades ago.

The building’s ornate facade includes elongated pilasters, Italianate balustrades, and a sculpted frieze across the pediment. Inside, there are marble statues, crystal chandeliers, gild ceilings and Minton floor tiling. “It is such a beautiful building. When you go there, you hold your breath,” said Dwivedi.

Announcing the list, WMF president Bonnie Burnham had said: “While these sites are historic, they are also very much of the present - integral parts of the lives of the people who come into contact with them every day. Indeed, the Watch reminds us of our collective role as stewards of the earth and of its human heritage.”

Dwivedi, who had met the Gondals while writing her book on Indian royal families, said the Maharaja would like to prevent the building from getting lost.

The Gondals have appointed conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah to restore the building. Lambah said work began eight months ago.

“By the end of the year, the structure will be stable. It was on verge of dilapidation. But a building like this needs more than structural repairs. It fell into dilapidation because it was a loss-making venture. The challenge will be to get funds for its restoration and make it usable,” said Lambah. “It was the heart of Mumbai’s cultural life, I hope it can be revived.”