Entertainment · Books & Arts · 2 hrs ago
Mumbai’s Royal Opera House now hosts a wide range of cultural events
Mumbai’s Royal Opera House closed in 1991 after years of decline.
Built in the early 20th century, it first served Mumbai’s elite, then welcomed Indian musicians and theatre performers and later screened films.
The Gondal royal family, which has owned the building since the 1950s, commissioned its restoration in 2010.
Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah led six years of work that preserved much of the building’s original design.
Over the past decade, the restored venue has hosted many kinds of cultural events, from music and theatre to literature, cinema and children’s programmes.
Its curator says the venue has also brought attention to the surrounding neighbourhood and supported the creative economy.
Looking ahead, its leadership hopes to expand international partnerships and engage more younger audiences.
Mumbai’s Royal Opera House has hosted a wide range of cultural events over the past decade.
The venue’s programme has included music, theatre, dance, literature, cinema and children’s events.
The building was inaugurated by King George V in 1911 and completed in 1916.
After years of neglect, it closed in 1991 and was later restored.
The Gondal royal family’s descendants and honorary director Ashish Doshi oversee its activities.
- Who
- The Royal Opera House in Mumbai, overseen by the Gondal royal family’s descendants and honorary director Ashish Doshi.
- What
- The venue hosts a wide range of cultural events.
- When
- It recently marked the 10th anniversary of its renovation.
- Where
- Mumbai, India.
- Why
- Asad Lalljee said the venue supports the creative economy and brings prominence to the neighbourhood.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
King George V inaugurated the Royal Opera House.
Construction of the building was completed.
The opera house shut down after years of neglect.
Restoration of the building was commissioned by Jyotendrasingji of the Gondal royal family.
Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah restored the building while retaining much of its original structure.
The venue marked the 10th anniversary of its renovation with a musical programme.
- Seating capacity
- 575 seats across three levels
- Closure
- 1991
- Restoration commissioned
- 2010
- Restoration architect
- Abha Narain Lambah
- Anniversary
- 10th anniversary of renovation
- Cultural programming
- Music, theatre, dance, literature, cinema, architecture, heritage and children’s programmes
What people are saying
It has supported the creative economy, bringing prominence to not just our building, but to the neighbourhood that goes by the same name.
Equally important is strengthening our engagement with younger audiences and building deeper partnerships,