Sutradhaars, Sir PM and Lady Flora, have decided to devote more time to their weekly walkabouts. Today, both are deep in discussion over the design of the new High Court building in Bandra East
Sir PM and Lady Flora deep in discussion inside St Thomas Cathedral about several pressing matters centred on their beloved city. Illustration/Uday Mohite
I hope my illustrated appearance doesn’t disappoint our readers, My Lady; I’ve got such a reputation, as you can imagine…” Sir PM looked antsy all of a sudden, as he checked if his peak lapel suit was in place. Lady Flora didn’t bother; she was sass personified, and knew that her gown would be a show-stopper. Both were seated inside St Thomas Cathedral, on their preferred last pew, for their usual weekly gupshup session. Once their sketching session was done with the illustrator, they happily slipped into what they loved doing best – discussing the goings-on in their city.
“I’ve been waiting to share my observations with you ever since that big, important gathering took place in Ballard Estate recently. You were in Panchgani, I hear. Picking strawberries, eh?” he smiled, before returning to his subject of discussion. “I learnt about it late; in fact, I overheard some chit chat while at the neighbourhood Irani café with Dr Viegas that morning, where two young architects sounded mighty excited to attend the session. The selected plan for the new High Court building was the centre of the conversation.”
Lady Flora appeared a shade distracted as she gazed at some of the Christmas décor that was decked along the interiors of the historic place of worship. “My Lady…My Lady, you’ll find this interesting,” Sir PM was his polite best to get her attention, for what he felt was a pressing matter. “Apologies, my dear Pheroze. Those baubles are stunning…” she smiled; Sir PM finally had her full attention. “I sneaked into the venue through the side exit, thanks to my familiarity with the location, which was once an ice factory. It was packed with architects, urban planners and academics. They were there to discuss the approved design for the new High Court building that is expected to come up in, of all places, Bandra East! The first speaker, an esteemed High Court lawyer, and a pro-public voice, was concerned that the selected design wasn’t in sync with the modern dynamics and requirements. He felt the plan wasn’t public-friendly. It was a grandiose one, and as we learnt later, was directly devised based on the brief given to all participants who had submitted their proposals for this competition. It was a large, imposing structure with high ceilings and impressive interiors. But I feel, and as echoed by the speaker, it does little to move ahead with the times, and its character was similar to the old, colonial idea of how legal justice was administered to the public — where the common man feels cornered, rather than at the centre point — the one seeking justice.”
Lady Flora enquired, “And does the plan resemble the original High Court that faces Oval Maidan? I find it a splendid example of Gothic might, thanks to John Augustus Fuller, who did justice to that style with suitable odes to Indian elements and details along its façade. It continues to fulfill the needs of the judiciary in our city, doesn’t it?”
“Well, that building, a highly serviceable one I must add, but was meant for a different era. Despite its ode to the judiciary for centuries, with some of the finest courtrooms I’ve worked in, in my long, illustrious career, this new plan should’ve looked towards the future, and been developed as a less intimidating structure, where the public feels welcome, and not overwhelmed or inconvenienced. Everyone should be at the same level — the judge, the lawyer and the common man. No one is above the law. I feel it’s an opportunity lost. If you study the other shortlisted plans, quite a few offered dynamic thought, character and vision that also addressed and respected logistical issues and needs faced in our large, diverse metropolis,” sighed Sir PM.
Lady Flora asked. “So, are you telling me that it’s a closed case?” “I am not sure. It could be a long struggle. The community must rally around each other to seek interventions within this plan; I cannot say if it’s even possible at this stage. I hear that the foundation stone has already been laid. Even the second speaker, a respected professor of architecture, rued that this selected plan is what the city will have to live with for the next 100-200 years. Questions from the audience threw up a fresh set of insight and suggestions but what resonated the most, at least for me, was the democratic, open discussion about a common issue. To see architects talk shop with legal eagles for a common cause made for a great advertisement of a healthy, transparent collaboration between both professions,” Sir PM shared.
“Pheroze, you seemed disappointed that it will be located in Bandra East…” Lady Flora hadn’t forgotten her friend’s grimace from before. “Oh! Not at all. We have the Metro service that will make things easier,” Sir PM smiled, and ushered her for their midnight walk to soak in the city’s fleeting winter. “Shall we have a closer dekko of Fuller’s High Court? Might as well appreciate the Gothic spectacle before business moves to the ’burbs,” he winked.
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
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