Sepia-toned glimpses of the family's summer home in Pune, to the Duc d'Orleans' mansion in England.
Image credit:
Tata Central Archives
On
Mumbai’s Waudby Road stands the grand Esplanade House – a mansion built
in the 1880s by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, industrialist and founder of
the Tata Group. The Esplanade House served as a home to the Tata family
until the 1930s.
Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari describes
the building as “one of the finest residential buildings architecturally
and historically, representing the neoclassical style of the 19th
century with its columns, pilasters and quoins, and an intriguing
baroque façade”.
Esplanade House has oil paintings on the ceiling, gilded cast iron, ivory inlays, and stone work on its outer façade. Esplanade House, Mumbai. Courtesy: Tata Central ArchivesOver
the past 130 years, the structure lost some of its glory. But, in 2014,
it was restored to its former grandeur after 10 years of work, and was
recognised by the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award (honorary mention) for
Cultural Heritage Restoration.
The sepia-tinted photos of the
Esplanade House from its glory days, are currently on display in Pune as
part of an exhibition by Tata Central Archives. Esplanade House courtyard, Mumbai. Courtesy: Tata Central ArchivesCovering
the period between 1822 to 1965, the exhibition displays a collection
of rare vintage photographs of properties owned, leased and rented by
the Tata family. According to the Tata Central Archives, these
properties are “iconic representations of the architecture of city
skylines across the world”.
Some of the prints have been preserved in pristine condition, while others have suffered discolouration. Navsari
Building and Chambers, Mumbai – a redbrick structure believed to be
named after Jamsetji’s hometown, Navsari. Courtesy: Tata Central
ArchivesSome of the other iconic buildings on display at the exhibition are Mumbai’s Victoria Building, Bombay House and the Ice House.
Jamsetji
Tata bought the Ice House from an American company that worked in
preservation of fish, fruits and meat. It was later sold by Jamsetji’s
son Dorabji Tata and now houses the KR Cama Oriental Institute. The Ice House, Mumbai. Courtesy: Tata Central ArchivesThese
images remind one of a Bombay that is preserved only in reel and memory
– wide, tree-lined roads devoid of soot and traffic, and open skies.
According
to Farokh N Subedar, Chairman of Tata Services
and Chief Executive Officer of Tata Sons, "This is a timeless
collection of memories, landmarks and milestones that have stood the
test of time and are reminiscent of the Tata family genesis in history.” Bombay House serves as the head office of the Tata Group. Courtesy: Tata Central ArchivesThe
Gladhurst Property in Pune, now known as "the Dutch Palace", was once
the Tatas' summer home. Dorabji and his wife, Lady Meherbai, along with
members of their family would often visit this palatial retreat with its
rich interiors and manicured gardens to get respite from Bombay's heat.
Back then, the grounds also housed a statue of Jamsetji Tata. The Gladhurst Property, Pune. Courtesy: Tata Central ArchivesTata's
real estate footprint extends beyond India, and the industrialist
family owned numerous properties in England and France. The building
that currently serves as the Town Hall of the London Borough of Richmond
upon Thames, was once a setting for garden parties thrown by the
younger son of Jamsetji, Ratanji Tata, who purchased the mansion from
the Duc d’Orleans in 1906, for £16,000. The York Museum, Twickenham, England. Courtesy: Tata Central ArchivesTata Family Properties is on display at Tata Central Archives, Tata Management Training Centre Campus, Pune.
