Homi & Jamshed Bhabha's classic house in Mumbai

I had the most memorable visit to Homi Bhabha's ancestral property in Malabar Hills a few of months back. It was a big deal and one of a kind visit to one of India's most celebrated scientist, as his home turned out to be treat for a designer like me.

Jamshed Bhabha had set up NCPA (National Centre of Performing Arts) in 1969 , India's premier cultural destination. The Bhabha brothers Jamshed and Homi were great connoisseurs of art. They had a huge collection of art work at their home, especially by Indian artists.

Jamshed Bhabha passed away in 1997, leaving this home to the NCPA, which decided to auction all of their collection to benefit NCPA itself. The day I went was the day of viewing the items which were to be actioned off. Exquisite clothes , carpets and jewellery were on display. So were fabulous pieces of furniture, lovely crockery and dinnerware. The walls and ceilings were adorned with Lalique chandeliers and Art Deco lights. The tables were set with the most unusual table decorations , every inch of the home was filled with delightful details. Their home was a wonderland, a cave full of rare treasures and I just couldn't get enough! I was dreaming about the home for many days after I visited it ...

As it always happens, I did not happen to carry my camera with me that day or I would have gone overboard taking pictures till they kicked me out of the house. I, however happened to click a few pictures with my phone camera. The resolution is not the best, but you can see the house with decent clarity. Here are some, if you care to take a look :)

The home from the outside 

Another view of the house 

The man in the garden 

The front porch with a semi-circular bench ,with my brothers perched on it :) 

The most beautiful balcony (on the 2nd floor, I think) opens to the wilderness of the Towers of Silence. 

Without doubt , my favourite design element of the house, the exquisite wooden staircase. I can almost imagine lovely Parsi ladies sauntering downstairs in their best sarees and diamonds and pearl jewellery  .. :) 

Another favourite of mine , the grand wooden entrance door 

The room next to the balcony above :) Tables are set, care to join me for some tea ? 

Sigh ... 

Exquisite carpet lines the corridor , I hope the lights had photographed a little better 

Very few dining rooms can match upto this one , I guess .. 

The chandelier in the dining room 

Old world furniture in one of the many bedrooms .. 

A glimpse of the living room , I loved the flooring 

I know my photographs don't do enough justice to the place. I wish I had stayed back there longer , that was probably my only chance !

And in case you are curious, all the furniture, carpets, lights, dinnerware were for sale and auctioned off at extremely high prices. I can imagine ALL of them in my house ;) , but I had to do with the catalogue of the auctioneers I got from there. In any case, I am more than happy to be able to see a part of my country's history in that house.

For those who wish to see all the articles on sale (or sold) from the Bhabha property , please see here.

All the stunning Indian artwork from Bhabha's collection can be viewed here.

Let me know how you found this post to be - suggestions most welcome !