Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com captures glimpses from one of Mumbai's famous heritage buildings, the newly renovated David Sassoon Library and Reading Room.
The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room was built in 1867. It is one of the oldest educational institutions in the Victorian Gothic and art deco ensembles of the Mumbai UNESCO World Heritage site.
The restoration project was conceptualised and implemented by Sangita Jindal, chairperson, JSW Foundation, the social development arm of her husband Sajjan Jindal's JSW Group, in collaboration with Conservation Architect Abha Narain Lambah.
The JSW Foundation, the ICICI Foundation along with Hermès, the Kala Ghoda Association, the consulate general of Israel in Mumbai (David Sassoon was Jewish), the M K Tata Trusts and others raised the Rs 40 million (Rs 4 crores) for the restoration project.
Restoration work commenced in February 2022 and was completed in 16 months.
The library has a significant amount of its original Minton tile flooring starting from the foyer extending to the first floor covering the reading room and verandah.
The various patterns of the Minton flooring in each room have been carefully restored.
A lamp on the main staircase from the pre-electricity era has been recreated and installed in its original place.
The concrete slab had, over time, developed water leakage in the building.
During the restoration effort, this concrete slab was strategically demolished and a new MS framed portal roof was erected with multiple layers of waterproofing and protection.
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
