Built to last

Enthusiasts marvel at a heritage building in Ballard Estate. PIC/Fiona Fernandez

Sir PM was sure Lady Flora wouldn't show up, given the incessant downpour, plus the fact that she was probably in the middle of maintenance work, since the pedestal was veiled under a giant cover. He had a few errands to run via the Cathedral, and out of habit, he had a dekko inside. To his disbelief, his friend was seated on the last pew, looking a bit dishevelled.

"My goodness! How did you pull this off?" he exclaimed, partly happy to see her, and partly concerned over her appearance. Lady Flora chuckled. "Simple. I waited for sunset, after the workers around me left the site. By nightfall, it was clear, and I managed to do a Houdini. It was so cool to outsmart everyone. I've done this a million times in the past, over all my restoration projects, the good, the bad, and the ugly."

Sir PM was a tad worried about her look. "My lady, and what about this slightly off appearance? You're not being harassed or vandalised, I hope?... Just say the word, and I'll speak to my friends, who are friends with the civic gods." She was grateful that her friend always watched out for her. "Not to worry, Pheroze. It's work in progress. I am guessing this is the monsoonal nip-and-tuck job; similar to what half of the city's swish aunties do when ageing takes over… What's that called…? Ah, yes, Botox! Nobody is blessed like Dorian Gray. Anyway, enough about me; I braved the rain to listen to your stories from that grand event you attended at the museum. Tell me all."

Her friend was amazed at Lady Flora's ability to keep abreast of the city's happenings, rain or shine. "It was quite the evening. The main takeaway, I believe, is that now we can look forward to building a one-point resource which will store information on our built heritage from across the city and its suburbs. All these big-ticket names concerned with the city's welfare attended; some even shared their views and gave suggestions for this project. Everyone seemed keen to give it their best shot to contribute towards this project."

Lady Flora interrupted, "And who may I ask, was this ‘everyone' that you are referring to? Was it just the ever-reliable heritage community who we keep discussing during our walks?" Sir PM replied, "It looked like an impressive list of names; both private platforms, trusts and individuals, as well as civic bodies and related organisations. If this clicks, it will be a great gift to and for our city meant to be showcased to the rest of India and the world. I am not aware of any other Indian city, at least, which has embarked on such a Herculean exercise."

Lady Flora had a few doubts twirling in her head. "I hate to sound like a wet blanket, but I hope all the enthusiasm from some of these contributors doesn't lose steam in a few months' time, where only the original custodians are left to hustle and haggle for collaborators to show more intent. Secondly, I like the idea that it will be spread to other parts of the city, and not just SoBo. Our streetscapes, especially in the suburbs, have been redrawn beyond recognition, mainly due to redevelopment and mindless tearing down of heritage buildings. It's frightening. This stems from the fact that awareness is almost zero among its residents. I did read in that mid-day coverage by our columnist that the pilot project will include 100 key buildings, and that it will begin with A Ward. I really hope they don't forget the far-flung parts of the city. Those wards pose the biggest challenges, as far as recovering data and getting residents involved in this critical exercise."

Lady Flora rattled off a list of recently-lost buildings that Percy (the pigeon) had updated her on while on his aerial trails across the suburbs. "He reported some pretty disappointing stuff. Already, the island city has lost countless heritage buildings and original street design during the laying out of some of its infrastructure projects, and while it was well reported by the press, with the suburbs, I feel, the radar tends to go cold. I hope this archive can step in and document such threatened suburban sites and buildings, and put the spotlight on their historicity." Sir PM was quietly impressed with his friend's moonlighting efforts to document the city, and being able to put that lazy pigeon to good use.

"I'm kicking myself for not paying close attention when the slide showed up about the 100 buildings," Sir PM grimaced. "Why, Pheroze?" Lady Flora wondered. "I wanted to know if we were on that list!" he replied, instantly. "Pheroze, it would be best to leave that to the experts. Meanwhile, we should focus on sending them a list of suburban sites in danger. That, I feel, would be our best contribution towards this project."

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her.
She tweets @bombayana. Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com