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The OG Tick-Tocker
Updated On: 11 February, 2024 07:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona Fernandez
After restoring many of Mumbai’s landmark dials, horologist Venkatesh Rao has worked his magic on Byculla’s Christ Church clock, making it the oldest operational public timepiece in the city
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Venkatesh Rao with his latest work of restoration. The original clock for Christ Church was shipped from London in a box, complete with nuts and bolts, and assembled on site. Pics/Satej Shinde
We are called ghadiwallahs here. Unlike in Europe, horologists [clock makers/restorers] in Asian countries don’t earn respect,” rues Venkatesh Rao, on our return from the tour of the clock chamber and bell room of the 190-year-old Christ Church at Byculla’s Clare Road. After a month-long project, he has resuscitated the 1828-made clock that stopped working five years ago.
Matunga-born, Hyderabad-based Rao is realistic about the challenges his profession throws up: “Nowadays, everyone prefers digital clocks. In London, institutes teach horology. In India, few understand the need to preserve vintage clocks. It is a fascinating science, as you just saw.” One hour ago, we negotiated our way via a narrow, wooden ladder to witness the working mechanism of the analogue clock, a world of escape wheels, pendulums and barrels. We were teleported briefly to Hugo, Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning cine tribute to automaton, until the giant clock above us struck 12, bolting us back to reality.
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