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The Gothic revival of Mumbai's iconic David Sassoon Library

By Neerja Deodhar

In the 19th century, readers at Mumbai’s David Sassoon Library browsed through a rich collection of books in a regal setting: built in the Victorian Gothic style , the library and reading room boasted quaint arches, louvred windows, Minton tiles and lamps. In present times, the vista from its first-storey veranda may be vastly different, but purposeful interventions have ensured the appeal of its design continues to live on.

Before it became a reading room, the building used to house the Bombay Mechanics Institute. As a node to this history, the first floor landing holds a bust of James John Berkley, chief engineer of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway.

A 16-month restoration initiative for the library—which began in February 2022—was born out of conversations between Sangita Jindal, the chairperson of the JSW Foundation, and conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah. Jindal expressed dismay at the lack of proper maintenance. “The David Sassoon Library is a jewel, with great value for students. We should consider its restoration our duty,” she says. The JSW Foundation is a co-donor alongside the ICICI Foundation; together, they partnered with Hermès India, the Kala Ghoda Association, the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, the MK Tata Trusts and others to raise funds, making this a multiparty project.

The staircase that leads to the reading room is flanked by a statue of David Sassoon that was carved in the mid-18th century. The arched windows of the library, with their louvred fenestration, have been a defining element since its construction.

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The cityscape in the Kala Ghoda art district—home to the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, and Esplanade Mansion—now resembles what it looked like a century ago, Lambah says. “The buildings that constitute this cityscape are its most defining features. Saving them is akin to saving the city’s very identity and memory,” she remarks.

In addition to being an important facet of Jewish Indian heritage and philanthropy, the library is also part of Mumbai’s Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble—a UNESCO-recognized heritage site. Considering its architectural significance, Lambah’s team relied heavily on archival research and documentation. Any newly introduced fixture—like the metal chandeliers—was modelled on its 19th-century counterpart, to ensure that it blended seamlessly into the style of the building.

The design facelift enabled the floor-to-ceiling stacking of books. The restorers’ attention to detail is evidenced through the addition of antique switches and banker’s lamps, and the harmonious balance between brass and wood.

Crucially, Lambah’s team reinstated the original sloping roof of the structure in place of a reinforced cement concrete slab—an “insensitive” addition made after the 1960s, according to Lambah. This flat slab had resulted in considerable leakage-related damages to the structure and the books contained within it. Returning to the original design, with intricate details like cresting and finials, has revived the library’s past architectural glory. Incorporating a Burma teak ceiling and layers of waterproofing made it the project’s most challenging aspect.

The century-old teak tables are ideal for scholastic pursuits. Outside in the veranda, a series of planter’s chairs are placed to offer a sweeping view of the city.

Many of the other changes are centred on enabling a more welcoming and rewarding reader experience, whether it is making the original, gargantuan teak tables easier to use and long-lasting, or rethinking the lighting to allow for longer hours of reading . “It’s a building in active use—our first responsibility was always to the library’s members and readers,” Lambah explains.

Changes in the design of the bookshelves—like replacing the kind of glass used—encourage readers to leisurely look for books rather than relying on a computerized index.

Kanchan Puri, who designed the illumination for the library’s interiors and external façade, says that her process minimized interventions while optimizing flexibility, in order to be respectful of the structure’s architectural rhythm. “The technique of layering the interior lighting allows the beautiful form and the detailing of the roof trusses to be fully revealed after dark for the first time in the building’s history,” she explains. For the external façade, features such as the veranda have been punctuated by light so they radiate with glow. Such decisions were guided by the wisdom that successful lighting on heritage buildings can rekindle interest in a forgotten landmark.

A stroll across the veranda and the terrace reveals the varying patterns of Minton tiles in different rooms—the library is one of Mumbai’s richest examples of this 19th-century flooring. A significant portion of the original tiles, which were imported from England, were retained.

A waning membership, as well as the damage caused to the library’s rare books, made its restoration a pressing issue. Additionally, restoring the external façade and designing its lighting to attract new interest in a forgotten part of the cityscape was one of the key focuses of the project.

Since the library is one of Asia’s oldest functioning reading rooms, one of the key concerns was rehousing nearly 30,000 books across five languages. The bookshelves that housed them are as old as the library itself, thus making them heritage pieces. Their reconstruction, restoration, and placement was informed by the need for structural stability and integrity. Jindal hopes that investing in the institution will be a shot in the arm for its waning membership, as well as the city’s reading culture. “What is needed is the infusion of new energy, so a new generation of readers comes to the library,” she says.

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Photography by Ricardo Labougle

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Photography by Andrea Ceppi

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Design Pataki > Restoring A Mumbai Icon: How The David Sassoon Library Regained Its Former Splendour

Restoring A Mumbai Icon: How The David Sassoon Library Regained Its Former Splendour

• 2:07 pm by Beverly Pereira

In an age when towers puncture the stratosphere of Mumbai’s built environment and the city’s last surviving heritage homes and green spaces stand in their lofty shadows, the tenacity of Kala Ghoda lingers on. The heritage precinct in the heart of Mumbai’s financial district Fort remains steeped in history, thanks to stringent regulations and the unrelenting support of the Kala Ghoda Association (KGA). From the CSMVS museum and Flora Fountain to Elphinstone College and the Knesset Eliyahoo synagogue, historic structures built over a century ago, many even restored to their former glory, abound in this neighbourhood. Like most old cities of the world and their gentrified spaces, Mumbai too has its own ‘cool quarters’ in the form of the crescent-shaped Kala Ghoda , home to the NGMA and Jehangir Art Gallery, the best in design and dining, and luxury fashion flagships.

The David Sassoon Library & Reading Hall , one among these iconic architectural gems, sits across the ‘Spirit of Kala Ghoda’, the iconic black horse installed in 2017 to replace the original sculpture now relocated to the city’s zoo nearby. Overlooking the busy Kala Ghoda square, it is one of the oldest surviving libraries and among the first structures to be built in this vibrant neighbourhood in 1867 through the generous endowment of Baghdadi Jew merchant David Sassoon. Over the years, the library has seen students and researchers, bankers and traders immersed in its extensive collection of books and manuscripts for hours on end. Many even choose to browse newspapers on the balcony. During the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, the reading room plays host to literary sessions where a festive air replaces the peace and quiet of the quotidian. It is also a Grade I Heritage Building and one of the oldest educational institutions in the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Like all historic structures of a certain vintage, the city’s 156-year-old architectural gem was in dire need of restoration due to the ingress of water over time. Besides leakages and peeling plaster walls, it was time for an upgrade suited to the structure’s sensitive nature. The tremendous undertaking was conceptualised and implemented by Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation, the social development arm of JSW Group, in collaboration with Abha Narain Lambah Associates and a slew of technical experts. Aside from securing India’s foremost conservation architect, JSW Foundation roped in donors including ICICI Foundation, Hermés and Kala Ghoda Association, among others.

“ The building demonstrates one of the earliest examples of urban controls in Mumbai, wherein, all the buildings had to incorporate a ground floor pedestrian arcade. The small but graceful Neo-Gothic building shows an aesthetic blend of different types of stone. Typically, demonstrative of the 19th-century eclectic architecture of Mumbai, the building reflects the Venetian gothic style propagated by Pugin and Ruskin ,” says Jindal, who has been at the forefront of heritage conservation and patronage of the arts.

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A critical aspect of this project was the restoration of the original roof of the reading room on the first level. When the library was last renovated in 1997, a reinforced cement concrete slab replaced the original gabled roof, perhaps as an easier means of maintenance. But, with the development of leakages over time, the concrete slab itself warranted a strategic demolition. In its place, an MS framed portal roof was erected with multiple layers of waterproofing.

Also read: Tracing The Glorious History Of Art Deco In Bombay With Walkitecture

An exhaustive study of archival material on the building revealed original details like the cresting and finials, while restoration efforts extended to that of the building’s Burma teak wood ceilings and rafters. “ We quite naturally did not want to undertake reconstruction that wasn’t based on hard evidence. There were old photographs from the 19th century which indicated that the building had a sloping (gabled) roof. We also noticed that when we looked at the gabled wall, it had two windows that were truncated; the arch and entire gabled end had been demolished to account for the flat slab. We also found some watercolour drawings of the building that helped us gauge the design, ” explains Lambah, a conservation architect.

Most of the grill work is original wrought iron work that had fortunately survived, says the conservation architect who, like Jindal, is also a founding member of the Kala Ghoda Association. Yet another vital aspect of the David Sassoon Library’s restoration includes the recreation of the original flooring comprising a mosaic of tiles imported from England during the 19th century. Starting from the entrance foyer extending to the first floor’s Reading Room and verandah, a significant part of its original Minton tile flooring was retained with the original patterns of the flooring restored with utmost care.

“ When the library got in touch with me and said that they had wanted me to take a look at it, we found that there was a need to look at it holistically, ” says Lambah. This is the reason for which the project included the restoration of period pieces of furniture that reflect a rich legacy of the past. “ There was a lot of mismatched furniture and ad hoc shelves added in recent years. We learned that the shelving in the reading room was not of the original period and was of a later vintage, ” she elaborates. Now, not only have the shelves, some floor-to-ceiling, been refurbished, but the solid teak tables with Gothic elements and other pieces of furniture inset with handmade ceramic tiles have also been restored to their former glory.

The David Sassoon Library’s magnificent façade was restored using gentle processes like stone-cleaning, pointing, and protection with a sensitive façade-coating material. This includes the stone surface on the front elevation, most notably on the front porch, and the ornamental cornice bands on the first floor and terrace.

The city’s prized library might have lost tens of thousands of crucial books to leakages over the years, but the restoration and conservation project ensures no such losses in the future. With the building thoroughly sealed and made watertight, as many as 30,0000 books in English, Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi and Kannada have been rehoused. Besides, some of the oldest books on architecture and design also find a place on restored and reconstructed period bookshelves in the reading room.

Now, after 16 months and a budget of 3.6 crore, the David Sassoon Library lives on with a renewed shine.The quietude within its hallowed walls will continue to bring respite from the city’s cacophony, and will soon extend to the library grounds. The next phase will see the restoration of the library’s landscape and gardens. There are ongoing discussions between the library committee, Jindal and Lambah to establish an art gallery and to create panels that will educate visitors about this piece of architectural history. Its revival is a reminder of the value and importance of libraries as placemakers in an era already lost to screentime.

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The Resurrection of Mumbai’s David Sassoon Library

After 16 months of meticulous and collaborative effort, the restoration of the David Sassoon Library, beloved to many in Mumbai, stands as a testament to its former glory.

The Victorian Neo-Gothic architectural style structure evokes the philanthropic legacy of the Baghdadi Jew businessman: David Sassoon - a cardinal landmark for the Jewish Heritage of th...

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David Sassoon Library, Mumbai, India

This Venetian Gothic-style building was erected by the Sassoon family and named after their 18th-century patriarch. Relaxing in the Sassoon library’s imposing reading room, absorbing its colonial splendor, one cannot help but reflect upon the impact the Jews made on so many world cultures.[1]

Description

According to Sifra Lentin, prominent Baghdadi-Jewish merchant David Sassoon “began his life in India when he nailed his mezuza, the sign of a Jewish home, to his doorpost at 9 Tamarind Lane.”[2] Indeed, the story goes that it was at 9 Tamarind Lane, the address of an old counting house, that newly arrived David Sassoon, having fled from Daud Pasha of Baghdad's repressive rule, birthed his trading company David Sassoon & Co, which would become a giant in the worldwide trade of opium, cotton, teak and other commodities. More than just a successful businessman, Sassoon was a pious orthodox Jew who enlivened the Baghdadi Jews of Bombay with a strong sense of community. His mansion in Byculla, Sans Souci became a gathering spot for Jews on the Sabbath, a place where lively religious services and impassioned religious and Talmudic studies abounded. The frequent gatherings at his mansion quickly developed into a Jewish brotherhood: Hebrath Beth David (Brotherhood of the House of David). Hebrath Beth David, according to Weil, would become a new paradigm for Baghdadi Jewish communal life and religious observance in Bombay. Sassoon would become the benefactor of the Magen David Synagogue in Byculla (1861), the Ohel David Synagogue in Poona (1867), the Sassoon Hospital in Poona (1867),[3] as well as many landmarks in Jewish hubs in Palestine and Iraq.[4] Sassoon’s work as a businessman, philanthropist and leader of the community of Baghdadi Jewish refugees was not confined to an insular Jewish community, but had a massive influence on the landscape and development of Bombay as a city. Specifically, David Sassoon’s venture into the world of opium trade with the Chinese brought in tremendous wealth to Bombay, bolstering its cotton mill industry and providing funds for the city’s public buildings and city planning.[5] After David’s death in 1867, his children would continue to play focal roles in the Jewish community and economy of Bombay.

Among the most significant and long-lasting legacies of David Sassoon’s life and influence in Mumbai is the expansive reading room that he sponsored in 1862, five years before his death. The building was not erected until 1870. 

Known today as the David Sassoon Library, Sassoon’s reading room is a Gothic structure adjacent to Mumbai’s Kala Ghoda Square, and is considered a Grade I Heritage Structure. Before David Sassoon invested  60,000 Rupees into the structure, the David Sassoon Library was a menachics and architecture museum run by the Royal Mint and Government Dockyard. Sassoon’s investment was initially meant to turn the museum into a Mechanics Institute. It was transformed into a library and rare book reading room only after his death.[6] The library is still in use today, making it one of the oldest rare-book reading rooms in all of Mumbai. The library boasts nearly 3,000 members—who come from near and far to access the library’s treasured books—and over 70,000 books, a portion of them having to do with the Jewish life in India, in Hindi, English, Gujarati, and Marathi.[7] 

Mumbai, India

© Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap

Multimedia Resources:

[1] Irene Shaland, The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Seeking Jewish Narrative all Over the World: CreateSpace, 2015.

[2] Sifra Samuel Lentin, “The Jewish Presence in Bombay,” in India’s Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art, & Life-Cycle , edited by Shalva Weil, Mumbai: (Marg Publications, 2002), 27.

[3] Sifra Samuel Lentin, “The Jewish Presence in Bombay,” in India’s Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art, & Life-Cycle , edited by Shalva Weil, Mumbai: (Marg Publications, 2002), 27-30.

[4] “The Sassoons in Baghdad and India,” Sotheby’s, Nov. 10, 2020, https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/the-sassoons-in-baghdad-india.

[5] Sifra Samuel Lentin, “The Jewish Presence in Bombay,” in India’s Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art, & Life-Cycle , edited by Shalva Weil, Mumbai: (Marg Publications, 2002), 29.

[6] “History,” The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, https://davidsassoonlibrary.com/history/.

[7]  “Once Upon a Time: Almost 150 years old, David Sassoon Library keeps up with the times,” The Indian Express, Aug. 7, 2016, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/once-upon-a-time-almost-150-years-old-david-sassoon-library-keeps-up-with-the-times-2958663/.

Bibliography:

[1] Shaland, Irane. The Dao of Being Jewish and Other Stories: Seeking Jewish Narrative all Over the World. CreateSpace. 2015.

[2] Lentin, Sifra Samuel. “The Jewish Presence in Bombay,” in India’s Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art, & Life-Cycle. E dited by Shalva Weil. Mumbai: (Marg Publications, 2002), 27.

[3] Lentin, Sifra Samuel. “The Jewish Presence in Bombay,” in India’s Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art, & Life-Cycle. Edited by Shalva Weil. Mumbai: (Marg Publications, 2002), 27-30.

[5] Lentin, Sifra Samuel. “The Jewish Presence in Bombay,” in India’s Jewish Heritage: Ritual, Art, & Life-Cycle. E dited by Shalva Weil. Mumbai: (Marg Publications, 2002), 29.

Photo Courtesy of Alex Shaland

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Mumbai: After 16 months and a budget of Rs 3.6 crore, the David Sassoon Library and Reading Hall in Kala Ghoda, Mumbai, has started a new chapter of its more than 150-year-old history — one that brings its glorious past to life. The two-storeyed Victorian neo-gothic-styled library has long provided a quiet space to civil services aspirants, students, and researchers. With an archive of around 30,000 books, magazines and newspapers, it has now been repaired, restored, and resuscitated.

The team comprised leading conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, supported by the JSW Foundation, ICICI Foundation, Kala Ghoda Association, Consulate General of Israel, Mumbai and Tata Trusts, had many challenges to address.

They battled termites, tackled a leaky roof that had wreaked havoc on thousands of old books, repaired the original teak tables, and worked on the arches and stone facade of the building. And the result is a labour of love that embraces everything from the antique switches to the chandeliers—the reading room alone has five. A large portion of the original richly patterned Minton tile flooring was also restored.

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Long overdue renovation

A complete restoration of the David Sasson Library had long been overdue.

“The structure was getting repaired time and again. So we decided to go for a permanent restoration,” says Hemant Bhalekar, president of the library.

The heritage building once housed around 70,000 books in five languages, including Kannada. But around 40,000 books, maps, periodicals, and other priceless documents were destroyed over the years due to repairs, leakages, and poor maintenance.

Today, the library’s archive is filled with English, Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati books. The management hopes to maintain its entire collection now.

The project was initially scheduled for 2020 but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A Grade I UNESCO heritage site, the David Sassoon Library finally opened its doors to visitors on 3 June. For now, though, the reading room is still empty of patrons. The library will be open to members and visitors in a couple of weeks after the final work on the side overlooking the garden is completed.

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Piecing the history

Lambah and her team dove into the restoration work like detectives, piecing together the library’s past and tracing its architectural evolution that came about with repair work through the years. They stumbled upon an old photograph that showed the reading room with a sloping roof, which had been flattened in the 1960s. Now, it has been restored to the original.

“The major challenge was the fact that the original roof had been replaced with a concrete slab in the 1960s. This concrete slab had deteriorated and needed to be structurally replaced,” says Lambah.

An exciting discovery was an old gas pipe on the ground floor. It suggested that the entryway had been gaslit. The pipe has been restored and occupies its original position, though the building is no longer powered by gas.

“Wiring, lighting, and other interiors also were challenging,” adds Lambah. More inspiration came from old watercolour drawings of the building.

According to Lambah, the library could only afford Rs 28 lakh, which is just a fraction of what the task entailed. “So I approached Sangita Jindal (chairperson of the JSW Foundation) as she had been supporting a lot of such conservation projects,” she says.

A circular staircase from the reading hall leads to the upper deck, which has balconies on both sides. The fascinating structure, though, isn’t open to the public. Bhalekar says that the balcony railing isn’t too high, and they don’t want anyone falling over.

From the upper deck, the restored staircase leads to the tower clock, which is manually wound twice a day.

Baghdad to Bombay

The David Sassoon Library building was one of the first to come up in the area after Fort George was demolished in the 1860s. The land was auctioned off for development, and David Sassoon, a Jewish banker and merchant bought one piece of the land . Incidentally, his son changed his name from Abdullah to Albert, moved to England, became a Baronet and married into the Rothschild family, the infamous European banking dynasty.

Sassoon, born in 1792 to a wealthy merchant family, had fled to Bombay in the 1830s after facing persecution in Baghdad. In 1853, he was granted British citizenship in recognition of his services to the Empire.

On that piece of land, he set up the Bombay Mechanics Institute, built on a budget of Rs 1,25,000, of which more than half was given by Sassoon, according to Bhalekar. It was renamed Sassoon Mechanics Institute, and later, in 1938, the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room.

Most visitors are familiar with the reading room and its balcony that overlooks the busy Kala Ghoda square. Its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, arches, long tables, chairs, and bankers’ lamps evoke the nostalgia of grand libraries.

It’s frequented by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) aspirants, lawyers from neighbouring courts, and old residents of South Mumbai.

The David Sassoon Library has over 2,000 members currently, and the management hopes the number will increase now. Annual and life membership fees range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000. And it costs you peanuts to use the reading room — anyone can use it for Rs 10 for a day. Here, with dappled light from the arched windows, time stands still—the ghost of a Bombay that is long gone.

But it is not stuck in time.

The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room now has WiFi, and patrons can use smartphones, e-books, and tablets.

“We have to look forward as well,” says Bhalekar.

(Edited by Humra Laeeq)

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David Sassoon Library in a new light: A landmark of literature and legacy

Mumbai's 19th century library gets a facelift if you call yourself a bookworm, the recently reopened david sassoon library in mumbai is a must-visit. it's taken 16 months to renovate the historic institution and the wait is surely worth it..

By Zenia Baria   June 14, 2023, 9:17:10 PM IST (Updated)

A study in silence: Mumbai library reopens doors to public after 16 months

O n Friday, the usually quiet walls of the David Sassoon library and reading room swelled with the tunes of harp, violins and eruptions of applause.

Sixteen months after the commencement of its restoration drive, the 156-year-old library reopened its doors to members and visitors amid massive fanfare.

Restored at a cost of Rs 4 crore, the revamp project was undertaken in a bid to take the library, which is also Asia's oldest functioning reading room, back to the glory of its heyday and highlight the Jewish diversity of the city.

Located opposite the Kala Ghoda statue from which the upscale precinct derives its name, the library was one of the earliest structures constructed in the locality. A notified grade I Heritage building, the structure was erected in 1867.

What was earlier named the ‘Sassoon Mechanics’ Institute’ eventually developed as a library and reading room under the watchful eye of David Sassoon, a Baghdadi Jew philanthropist, who had also donated money for the building’s construction.

In January 2022, the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room had signed an MoU with JSW Group’s social development arm, JSW Foundation, to restore and conserve the iconic library in Mumbai.

Having completed the project, the library was handed over to the trustees of David Sassoon library, who was represented by the president of Sassoon Trust, Solomon Sopher on Friday.

The scope of the restoration project included the rehabilitation of the original sloping roof, Minton tile flooring, the stone exteriors and interiors as well as extensive waterproofing.

Conservation architect on the project, Abha Lambah said, "In the 1960s, a flat slab had been installed within the reading hall which had started creating water leakage problems, particularly during monsoon. We learnt that a lot of books were getting damaged because of this. Since the leakage was our main villain, this was the first work we took up. We restored the original sloping roof by demolishing the RCC slab and fixed these issues before last year's monsoon."

For Lambah and her team, clues of the restoration lay stacked within the edifice of the heritage structure. "When we first commenced with the project, the colours had peeled off. We started following what the building told us. For instance, during restoration, we found traces of gold paint in the column crowns. On the basis of such clues and archival pictures, we recreated the painting, details of the roof and staircase lamps amongst other things.”

Alongside this, facade coating to prevent salt deposits on the wall as well as new book cupboards were also designed to ensure that structural integrity of the Victorian Gothic building was maintained. Meanwhile, in the second phase of the restoration project, landscaping work will be undertaken within the building compound seeking to provide Mumbaikars a quiet breather from the city hustle bustle.

Minor repair works have also been carried out within the library in the past -- in 1995 and 2010.

Speaking of the restoration project, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, Kobbi Shoshani said, "I had come to the library in the past and observed some leakages. This restoration project is very important for me personally. Soon, we will also be inaugurating the Jewish route."

“Following its restoration, we believe the David Sassoon library can be the fulcrum of Mumbai’s education and cultural movement,” added Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation.

The project was carried out by raising donations through the JSW foundation along with ICICI foundation, Kala Ghoda Association, Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, MK Tata trusts amongst others.

DAVID SASSOON LIBRARY

Restoration.

In the 19th century, readers at Mumbai’s David Sassoon Library browsed through a rich collection of books in a regal setting: built in the Victorian Gothic style, the library and reading room boasted quaint arches, louvred windows, Minton tiles and lamps. In present times, the vista from its first-storey veranda may be vastly different, but purposeful interventions have ensured the appeal of its design continues to live on. Latest among Kala Ghoda Association’s list of restoration projects in the precinct, the 16 month initiative for the library began in February 2022. The restored library was reopened to the public in June 2023, after conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah brought alive by the vision of the team.

Kala Ghoda Association partnered with JSW Foundation, ICICI Foundation, Hermes India, the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, the MK Tata Trusts and others to raise funds, making this a multiparty project.

THE RUTTONSI MULJEE JETHA FOUNTAIN

BOMANJEE HOMARJEE WADIA CLOCK TOWER, 1882

HORNIMAN CIRCLE GARDEN PYAU, 1842

THE SPIRIT OF KALA GHODA

BAZAR GATE POLICE STATION

POLICE COURTYARD CAFE

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Mumbai Light Festival Shows The Iconic David Sassoon Library In A New Light ‘Literally’

After a demanding week at work, weekends are all about rejuvenation. And this weekend is lucky for Mumbai residents. The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, which has been exquisitely restored, will be featured as part of the Mumbai Lights Festival, so get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience. Since it has recently undergone restoration, there is no better way to comprehend the magnificence of this architectural wonder in Kala Ghoda.

Check Out The Mumbai Light Festival This Weekend

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One of the oldest libraries in Mumbai is the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room. Additionally, it is a noteworthy architectural and cultural landmark in this city. It was carefully preserved with the assistance of JSW Group and ICICI Bank, and it has since been restored to its former glory. A projection mapping experience is being held in honour of its grand restoration and, of course, reopening. So get ready to honour this iconic building.

Also Read: 8 Best Places For Doughnuts In Mumbai That You “Donut” Want To Miss Out On

The David Sassoon Library Is A UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Kala Ghoda is home to Mumbai’s renowned David Sassoon Library and Reading Room. After undergoing repairs for 16 months, it reopened to visitors on Saturday. As a museum and library for mechanical models and architectural plans, it was initially built in 1867. The Victorian Neogothic architecture of the structure is still present. 

It is among the oldest educational institutions in Mumbai’s Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles. The original architects of the ensembles were J. Campbell and GE Gosling. The institution was renamed the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room in 1938 in honour of Sir David Sassoon, a Baghdadi Jewish businessman who provided the funding for the building of the structure.

In the David Sassoon Library, you can find a sizable collection of books, journals, and manuscripts on a range of subjects, such as science, history, philosophy, and more. The rehousing of nearly 30,000 books in five different languages, including English, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, and Hindi, was part of this significant restoration project in addition to its beautiful architecture. The library has held these books, some of which are very old, for a long time.

So, are you excited to witness this LIT festival?

Where : The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, Opp. Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda When : 2-4 June 2023 Timing : 7:30 pm onwards

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva and Instagram/Mumbai Light Festival

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Archaeological fantasies: constructing history on the Moscow metro.

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David Sassoon Library opens to public after restoration; see pics

Sangita jindal, chairperson of jsw foundation collaborated with india’s leading conservation architect abha narain lambah to execute the restoration project. reportedly, private donations worth 3.6 crores were used in this restoration project..

Mumbai’s iconic David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, situated at Kala Ghoda, opened to visitors on Saturday after restoration work was completed in a period of 16 months.  The Victorian Neogothic-styled structure was originally built in 1867 as a museum and library of mechanical models and architectural designs. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles of Mumbai’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and was originally styled by architects J Campbell and GE Gosling. The institute was renamed in 1938 as the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room after Sir David Sassoon, a Baghdadi Jew merchant, who funded its construction.

The restoration project of the heritage library was carried out by the JSW Foundation and the ICICI Foundation. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation collaborated with India’s leading conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah to execute the restoration project. Reportedly, private donations worth 3.6 crores were used in this restoration project.

David Sassoon Library boasts of books, periodicals, and manuscripts covering a wide range of subjects like history, philosophy, science, and more.

Apart from its magnificent architecture, another significant aspect of this significant restoration project was the rehousing of nearly 30,000 books in five languages, namely, English, Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi and Kannada. Some of these books are very old and have been part of the library for years.

The founder of the library – David Sassoon, was also a prominent and interesting historical figure. He is said to be the treasurer of Baghdad between 1817 and 1829 and became the leader of the Jewish community in Mumbai after Baghdadi Jews emigrated there.

The Sassooon family is known for their riches. David Sassoon’s son, Abdullah changed his name to Albert and moved to England. He became a Baronet and married into the wealthy Rothschild family. According to legends, all the Sassoons of Europe are said to be the descendants of the David Sassoon family.

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Rosatom Starts Production of Rare-Earth Magnets for Wind Power Generation

TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom has started gradual localization of rare-earth magnets manufacturing for wind power plants generators. The first sets of magnets have been manufactured and shipped to the customer.

In total, the contract between Elemash Magnit LLC (an enterprise of TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom in Elektrostal, Moscow region) and Red Wind B.V. (a joint venture of NovaWind JSC and the Dutch company Lagerwey) foresees manufacturing and supply over 200 sets of magnets. One set is designed to produce one power generator.

“The project includes gradual localization of magnets manufacturing in Russia, decreasing dependence on imports. We consider production of magnets as a promising sector for TVEL’s metallurgical business development. In this regard, our company does have the relevant research and technological expertise for creation of Russia’s first large-scale full cycle production of permanent rare-earth magnets,” commented Natalia Nikipelova, President of TVEL JSC.

“NovaWind, as the nuclear industry integrator for wind power projects, not only made-up an efficient supply chain, but also contributed to the development of inter-divisional cooperation and new expertise of Rosatom enterprises. TVEL has mastered a unique technology for the production of magnets for wind turbine generators. These technologies will be undoubtedly in demand in other areas as well,” noted Alexander Korchagin, Director General of NovaWind JSC.

For reference:

TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 73 power reactors in 13 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL. www.tvel.ru

NovaWind JSC is a division of Rosatom; its primary objective is to consolidate the State Corporation's efforts in advanced segments and technological platforms of the electric power sector. The company was founded in 2017. NovaWind consolidates all of the Rosatom’s wind energy assets – from design and construction to power engineering and operation of wind farms.

Overall, by 2023, enterprises operating under the management of NovaWind JSC, will install 1 GW of wind farms. http://novawind.ru

Elemash Magnit LLC is a subsidiary of Kovrov Mechanical Plant (an enterprise of the TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom) and its main supplier of magnets for production of gas centrifuges. The company also produces magnets for other industries, in particular, for the automotive

industry. The production facilities of Elemash Magnit LLC are located in the city of Elektrostal, Moscow Region, at the site of Elemash Machine-Building Plant (a nuclear fuel fabrication facility of TVEL Fuel Company).

Rosatom is a global actor on the world’s nuclear technology market. Its leading edge stems from a number of competitive strengths, one of which is assets and competences at hand in all nuclear segments. Rosatom incorporates companies from all stages of the technological chain, such as uranium mining and enrichment, nuclear fuel fabrication, equipment manufacture and engineering, operation of nuclear power plants, and management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. Nowadays, Rosatom brings together about 350 enterprises and organizations with the workforce above 250 K. https://rosatom.ru/en/

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