 |
| Malabari Hall, Mumbai somayasampat.com |
 |
| Malabari Hall,Mumbai Facebook.com |
 |
| Malabari Hall somayasampat.com |
The Malabari Hall Building, nestled within the sprawling campus of the Seva Sadan Society in Mumbai's historic Gamdevi precinct, is far more than just a structure; it's a living testament to early 20th-century social reform and architectural heritage. Inaugurated in 1924, the hall is a tribute to Behramji Malabari, a pioneering social reformer who, along with Diwan Dayaram Gidumal and Ramabai Ranade, founded the Seva Sadan Society in 1908 to empower underprivileged women.
 |
| Malabari Hall,Mumbai somayasampat.com |
Above image: Showing the picture of Behramji Malabari and Diwan Gidumal. They along with Ramabai Ranade under the Seva Sadan Society started Malabari Hall a refuge for impoverished and oppressed women of all communities and their protection...........
 |
| Interior Malabari Hallsomayasampat.com |
 |
| Interior Malabari Hall somayasampat.com |
The significance of the Malabari Hall extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. It served as a crucial space for the Seva Sadan Society's mission of providing shelter, education, and vocational training to women. Its restoration in 2019 by Somaya & Kalappa Consultants, with a conscious effort to retain its original character and traditional construction techniques, earned it an Award of Merit at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2020. This sensitive intervention ensured the building's endurance against modern wear and tear while preserving its intangible value as a symbol of women's empowerment. But for the timely financial help from Jones Day Foundation. Seva Sadan Society would not have restored the old structure back to old charm.
0000
Today, the Malabari Hall continues to be a vibrant hub, rented out for cultural events, social gatherings, dance classes, and vocational training, thereby generating revenue that supports the ongoing initiatives of the Seva Sadan Society. It stands as a beacon of heritage, reflecting a crucial period in India's social reform movement and showcasing the enduring beauty of its early 20th-century architecture.
The Malabari Hall Building holds a significant UNESCO status not as a World Heritage Site, but as a recipient of a prestigious award for its conservation efforts. The UNESCO award acknowledges successful conservation or restoration projects of heritage structures and properties in the Asia-Pacific region.
The recognition was specifically for the meticulous restoration work carried out on the building by Somaya & Kalappa Consultants. UNESCO lauded their efforts to "bring back the building to its former glory" and highlighted the "use of community in the restoration of its historic compound." This indicates that the award recognized not only the technical excellence of the architectural conservation but also the project's sustainable and community-inclusive approach.
The UNESCO Award of Merit for the Malabari Hall Building is a testament to:
Excellence in Heritage Conservation: Acknowledging the high standards of restoration that preserved the building's historical and architectural integrity.
Social and Cultural Significance: Recognizing the building's vital role in the Seva Sadan Society's mission of women's empowerment since the early 20th century.
Sustainable Practices: Highlighting the use of traditional construction techniques and the involvement of the community in the conservation process, paving the way for its long-term maintenance.
This award elevates the Malabari Hall Building's standing as a significant heritage structure in Mumbai and underscores the importance of preserving built heritage that also carries profound social and historical narratives.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2022/01/malabari-hall-of-mumbai-got-2020.html
