Madina Manzil, Parel. Image 1: Madina Manzil is replete with Deco features and Islamic iconography — a crescent moon and a star. Its crowning glory is its stepped profile, with yellow reeding marking each step. Waiting in line, on either side, is a compass star in a box, propped up on red vertical banding. At the centre, the reeding in red is topped off with a moulding that highlights another crescent and a star. More importantly, it carries a visual expression of religious identity through the crescent and star bas relief. But this is not unique to Madina Manzil. Mumbai’s cosmopolitanism affords the possibility of self-expression across religions and Deco buildings — whether it’s the N M Petit Fasli Agiary in Churchgate, or Hira Mahal in Wadala.

Madina Manzil, Parel. Image 2: The majestic corner facade! Islamic motifs dot each floor and the yellow reeding runs along the entire length of Madina Manzil, separating each window.

Madina Manzil, Parel. Image 3: Duo-tone waves make a striking statement at Madina Manzil.

Madina Manzil, Parel. Image 4: Cascading, curvilinear waves are interestingly juxtaposed against the box grilles lining the building.

As another year around the sun begins, we bring you, Surya Mahal & Chandra Mahal from Dadar East. The sun and moon shine bright in Dadar thanks to Surya Mahal (English: Sun Palace) and Chandra Mahal (English: Moon Palace). We’re celebrating winter solstice and the start of winter with these two celestial Deco beauties! Image 1: (Above) A magnificent bas relief of the Sun (Surya) sits atop the facade.(Below) The bas relief on Chandra Mahal has an asymmetric crescent moon with a star to keep it company.

Image 2: (Above) Surya Mahal, scripted in English. The balconies’ concrete grilles hold an unusually fine and complex design with pillars on either side. (Below) Chandra Mahal, scripted in clean blocks of Devanagari. Oddly, this moon palace has a series of sunburst concrete grilles. Perhaps, it is a subtle nod to the sun’s contribution to moon light.