An interview with Vikram Kamdar, uncovering the story of his family's renowned furniture business.
Gallery
Aug 18, 2026
Standing on Ebrahim Sultanali Patanwala Marg, the building was the residence of the Patanwala family, creators of Afghan Snow, one of India’s earliest homegrown beauty creams. Created by Ebrahim Sultanali Patanwala in 1919, the cream was manufactured in Byculla and went on to become a household name across the country.
Aug 18, 2026
Its story is also woven into the cultural history of the time. Initially mistaken for a foreign product during the Swadeshi movement because of its name and imported packaging, Afghan Snow was defended as an Indian-made product, with Mahatma Gandhi publicly acknowledging its Indian origins. The brand later became part of popular beauty culture, even sponsoring the first Miss India pageant in 1952.
Aug 18, 2026
Designed to respond to its corner plot, Patanwala Mahal’s rounded facade creates a striking presence while softening the transition between two roads. The mixed-use building accommodates both commercial and residential spaces.
Aug 18, 2026
Today, the building and the road continue to carry the Patanwala name, a reminder of the family’s long-standing presence in Byculla and the commercial history embedded in its streets.
Jul 23, 2026
We find it easy to be drawn to this building for its sense of balance - a facade that feels both symmetrical and dynamic.
Jul 23, 2026
Above the entrance canopy, the building's name is displayed in bold red Devanagari script, completing the harmonious composition.
Inventory
An inventory of Art Deco buildings with an interactive map showing you where they are located. Explore neighbourhoods, buildings, features and elements.
Browse AllResearch
MUMBAI'S ART DECO
Art Deco Mumbai: Writings on a Modern City
Drawing on extensive research and archival material, the book explores how Bombay transformed an international style into a distinctive expression of the city. The essays examine its architecture, visual culture and everyday life, tracing the making of a modern Bombay.
MUMBAI'S ART DECO
Beyond Obsolescence: The Redevelopment of Malabar Court
If a well-maintained building isn’t obsolete, what drives its redevelopment? Malabar Court offers a closer look at redevelopment in Mumbai.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
The Repair and Restoration of the G.J. Rassiwalla Rope Factory Shopfront
An account of the Restoration of the historic Rassiwalla shopfront in Maskati house, detailing the cost-effective interventions that helped refresh the appearance of this iconic business,
MUMBAI'S ART DECO
Bharatmata and Liberty Cinemas: A Future for Mumbai’s Modern Heritage?
A study of the survival and legacy of single screen cinemas, through the lens of the Bharatmata and Liberty theatres.
Blog
Your Daily dose of art deco inspiration
Marine Drive and the Void of the Back Bay – A Conversation with Rahul Mehrotra
Is Marine Drive being reimagined?
Tales from the Office of Master, Sathe & Bhuta
Shrikant Sathe, architect and son of the firm’s founding partner, shares insights into Master, Sathe & Bhuta, the first all-Indian led architectural firm.
Know Your Type – A Conversation with Typographer Tanya George
Typographer Tanya George talks about ways of seeing typefaces around us, the history of this art and where
Shanta's Shivaji Park
Through her lived experiences and a lifelong study of the city’s cultural history, Shanta Gokhale explains what makes this Deco neighbourhood special.
