Exploring The Street Art In Bandra, Mumbai Cityscape

Suburbs of Bandra in Mumbai offer a unique mix of rustic heritage villages and the glamor of Bollywood and Street Art. On one hand, there are Gaonthans – as the villages of Mumbai were called and the Koli community that still holds on to some parts of this island. On the other hand, are migrants who became marquee residents. This time in Mumbai Deepa Krishnan of Mumbai Magic took me around the area. Sharing stories of her business and showing me a bit of the area. I discovered a Mumbai I had never known.

We met at the Elco market on Hill Road and began our journey with a sumptuous Pani Puri – now can there be a better way to begin a walk? Went to the market that sells women’s garments – right from comfortable nightwear to embellished party wear. For a change, I felt like shopping but then gave up the idea in favor of a guided walk. For another half, an hour, both Deepa and I kept clicking pictures of roadside shops and interesting window displays. I clicked a few pictures of the smallest format retail where a vendor carries the shop literally with him or her. I saw many children doing that too and no they were not distressed. They were quite enjoying themselves, making fun of people and interacting with them in a way only children can.

Street art in Bandra, Mumbai

After having a fill of bustling bazaars, we were in the heritage area – that still looks like a village. It suddenly cuts you off from the buzz of a metropolitan city. The high-rise buildings give way to tastefully done houses. You can admire the design of a grill or an unusual staircase or a railing that has clues to the times it belongs. We stopped at a quirkily designed café. I was told many such up-market coffee shops and restaurants are coming up in the area making it a happening place for the younger lot. The crowd across the window of the café and inside the café presented a juxtaposition that is so unique to India.

Crosses dotting the streets of villages here reminded me of Goa. The narrow lanes crisscross and mark the corners with a cross. I was told that a lot of these crosses came up during a plague epidemic that hit the area in the last decade of 19^th CE. Historically the Portuguese were the first ones to come to this island. Churches like Mount Mary were set up by them.

Island Name

In ancient times, this island was called Vandra and later aberrations made it Bandora, Banderam, etc. Till it was christened Bandra in late 19^th CE – for a rail project. I think railways deserve a special mention for naming quite a few Indian places that had no fixed spellings to their names. We spent some time at the St Andrews church reading the family epitaphs and wondering how the families fit in under a small slab. This church is supposed to be one of the oldest living churches in Mumbai with the oldest wooden cross gracing its garden.

Anecdote linking Bandra Island

An interesting anecdote tells the story of the construction of Mahim Causeway that first linked Bandra Island to mainland Mumbai. Lady Avabai Jamsetji Jeejibhoy was a mother of many sons and she wanted a daughter. She was told that if she prays at Mount Mary Church, her wish would be fulfilled. Avabai took a boat and with great difficulty managed to reach the island for her wish. I was intrigued by the wish for a daughter in this son-obsessed country. And then by the Avabai’s resolve to do anything to get a daughter. She resolved that if her wish were fulfilled, no one else would have to take a boat to come to the island. Legend is that her wish was fulfilled and she got the Mahim causeway built.

I am not sure how many Mumbaikars, use the causeway every day. You should know that it was built as a result of a ‘Wish for a Daughter’ being fulfilled. It is also one of the few public roads in India built by a private person and that too by a woman. That tells me something about the empowerment women had to invest in projects closer to their hearts.

Bollywood Street Art

On the walls of Bandra, I discovered Ranjit Dahiya’s BAP aka Bollywood Arts Project. That aims to make Bollywood a part of the visual culture of the locality and I ask why not the rest of Mumbai too. There was Madhubala in her quintessential pose. There was a poster of Anarkali and two iconic images of Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. Every time I have bustled through the crowds of Mumbai – I felt that this city should be left to Bollywood and everyone else should move out, they could work anywhere. While looking at the classic Bollywood posters painted on the walls I realized that Bollywood remains hidden behind its nondescript studios. And is hardly a part of the popular culture of the city it calls home.

I did a bit of reading on the Bollywood Arts Project and realized that besides having a passion for literally painting the walls, there is so much more you need to make it a reality. I am wondering why none of the billionaire Bollywood personalities have come forth so far to fund this project. It would be a change for them but would mean so much for the city. And in the process, they are just contributing to celebrating their own industry and its icons.

We ended the walk by admiring the latest Mumbai marker. The Sea link from the ramparts of ancient Bandra Fort, next to the bandstand.

Explore

If you have 2 hours or so to walk around the place, choose to explore one or more of the following.

• Shopping in the flashy markets
• Old houses with their architectural elements
• Graffiti on the walls
• Go hunting for BAP murals on walls and see how many you can discover
• Go Church-Hopping
• Visit the Koli villages
• Stop by the trendy Cafes to recharge

Thank you, Deepa, for this lovely walk capturing the Street Artwork. Hope to do more walks with you and your magical tours.

Recommend you to read the following Places to visit in Mumbai.

Banganga Tank – Ancient Heritage of Mumbai

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum – Celebrating the City of Mumbai

Mani Bhavan – Mahatma Gandhi’s Imprint in Mumbai

Global Vipassana Pagoda, Mumbai

Deccan Odyssey – 7 Nights on a Luxury Train