The first mention of Shivaji Park for any millennial Mumbaikar would remind them of Sachin Tendulkar. The most famous resident might have stolen the limelight from another wonderful heritage that quietly resides in the precinct – Art Deco. Architect Nikhil Mahashur is keen to return the spotlight to these edifices. “The Art Deco in this precinct is far subtler, prettier, and distinct from those at South Mumbai,” he shares. This weekend, Mahashur, along with Art Deco Alive! and the IES College of Architecture (IESCOA), will host the Echoes of Deco, an exhibition celebrating the centenary of the Art Deco Movement with a special focus on the Dadar neighbourhood. 

A Shivaji Park resident, Mahashur admits an affinity to the neighbourhood. The tale of Shivaji Park traces back to 1896, and the horrors of the Bubonic Plague. Later dubbed the Bombay Plague, it forced the city to plan efforts to reduce the crowding in Girgaum and Parel. The Bombay City Improvement Trust (BCIT) chose Dadar and Matunga as suitable options. “The Park itself was built as a valley, with one-storey Art Deco buildings around it, followed by two-storey buildings in the next row,” shares Mahashur. The earliest constructions around the park began in 1936. The low-rise, humble residences are a distinct feature that set the precinct apart from its grander counterparts downtown.