Independence Day 2025: Three unique memories from the early days of freedom

“We still brew only in brass filters. It is a tradition,” shares Devavrat Kamath, the third-generation owner of the Mumbai favourite. “In the pre-Independence era, brass was cheaper as a metal, and was also very malleable. This made it a favourite choice for utensils,” he explains.


Devavrat, Jagdish and Jaiprakash Kamath. Pics Courtesy/Devavrat Kamath

Though newer and younger brass filters have taken over the kitchen, the old warhorses continue to watch over proceedings, Kamath tells us. A wooden structure that covers the main shutter still houses utensils that recall the era. “We haven’t given them away. It is hard to find the same size filters these days. We source ours from a village near Udupi. Brass retains heat for a longer period, making them perfect for coffee,” he shares.

One of the oldest idli steamers (copper) at the restaurant

The Empire’s sunset

A dated photograph of British troops lining up in the foreground of the hotel; The British Sunset. Pics Courtesy/Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai

For over 90 years, the Harbour Bar at the Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba has been a steadfast witness to the happenings in the city. Established in 1933, the outlet was a haunt for names such as JRD Tata, The Mountbattens, Jamsahibs and hosted legends such as legendary jazz pianist Teddy Weatherford, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as well as Gregory Peck. However, it is one cocktail that hides within itself the memory of the historical moment.

“Two days after declaring India’s Independence, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, delivered his farewell speech in the very ballroom of this hotel. Inspired by the photograph, we created a cocktail titled The British Sunset,” shares Akshay Sikri, director of food and beverages, The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. English gin paired with ice and a slice of lime, topped with tonic water, is the perfect send-off. “Sometimes, an end is a beginning,” points out Sikri.

Akshay Sikri

Wings of a new era

Planes have been a fascination since childhood for collector and aviation enthusiast Debasish Chakraverty. After all, his father, DM Chakraverty was a pilot in the Indian Air Force, and later signed up for Air India. “The newly formed airline reached out to many former Air Force pilots to sign on as commercial pilots then. I still recall my father taking me to the Santacruz flight station to watch planes take off. Back then, you could go close,” the Santacruz resident recalls.

A dated photograph of the Air India international flight titled Malabar Princess

When Air India became Air India International in 1948, it bought the Lockheed Constellation aircrafts — state-of-the-art, long range airplanes capable of flying long distances. “One of the first was the Malabar Princess, flying from India to London on June 8, 1948,” Chakraverty shares.

A dated photograph of the Mughal Princess taking flight at London International Airport in 1948. Pics Courtesy/ Collection of Debasish Chakraverty, Captain DM Chakraverty

Constellation planes were often named after princesses of certain places, meant to be perceived as royalty, a tradition that carried on with the famous Air India Maharajah. “The Super Constellation planes, an improvement of its predecessor with more space and four engines instead of the existing twin-engines. Some of the aircraft even had beds for sleeping. Quite the luxury, unlike today,” he recalls.

Debasish Chakraverty