Tuesday, January 18, 2011

MyWorld

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A very old cinema house (since 1879)- Capitol - opposite the Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Terminus.
Capitol first appeared as Gaiety – a Gothic playhouse meant to provide the Fort area's upper-class residents with an alternative to the Jagannath Shankar Seth Natyashala, the only other theatre located in the seedy Grant Road area. The edifice was built by Sorabji Kuverji Nazir, and was an exercise in excess, with a 40 by 70 ft long stage and a seating capacity of 880.When the Sidhwas, a Parsi family which also owns the Globe theatre in Kolkata, bought over the theater in 1929 and turned it into a ‘talkies', the seats were replaced with fine leather. A magnificent domed ceiling was added, and it was renamed the Capitol. Its first show– the premiere of a British film called The Flag Lieutenant – was attended by the Governor and his wife. A black-and-white image of Parsi ladies and suited Indians sitting next to British officers at the premiere still hangs from a wall in the manager's office.
Over the last decade though, Capitol, unable to bear the cost of its maintenance has lost much of its former glory and now, the building stands unused and lonely.

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24 comments:

  1. A sad story, repeated all over the world. Not unexpected, though, what with the availability of big-screen TVs, surround sound, etc. I mean who wants to leave the comfort of home to sit in some old, musty building surrounded by people jabbering away and talking on cell phones and dropping popcorn and coke down your neck? :-)

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  2. Very sad to think that it isn't being used and that it's not being well maintained! Such grand architectural details!

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  3. hisoric place, beautiful architecture but sad story :(

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  4. Oh, that is a sad story/ending for such a lovely, historic building! Thank you for the history/background! I really enjoyed that, too.

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  5. Truly amazing architecture. I hope they will maintain this building

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  6. une superbe architecture, ce batiment est tres beau

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  7. Wish it is restored to its glory as it still look strong and sturdy. Notable magnificence!!

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  8. It would be wonderful to have it restored.
    -- K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  9. a beautiful historic architecture...but same story for its maintenance of its glory...

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  10. the facade is spectacular.

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  11. Thanks for sharing,
    Wish all these glorious historic buildings are restored.
    At least Sanjana Kapoor is still maintaining the Prithvi Theatre started by Prithviraj Kapoor.It still has it's old charm. I simply love that place.

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  12. A beautiful building, but that is the way cinema is going - into the world of the multiplex!

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  13. Looks grand! Nicely composed.

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  14. A nostalgic place. Cinema theatres are giving way to malls everywhere in India. Sad.

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  15. I must come and see.
    Until then your blog is a marvelous daily journey to India!



    Aloha from Waikiki

    Comfort Spiral

    ><}}(°>

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  16. I hope a good use will be found for this glorious building, earning it back its former pride!
    God bless you!
    Cezar

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  17. Its a really great building
    with such a history !!!
    Maybe they will restore it
    very very soon :-)

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  18. The bushes grown at various places on walls tells it all.

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  19. lovely shot and well documented. the story is however with sad ending.

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