Woman of Letters: Barcelona Calling

Dear Mr Naik,

I write this to you from the city of Barcelona, a city so steeped in beauty, art and culture that often in the past few days I have been moved to tears of joy.

What particularly pleases me about Barcelona is how its citizens take such pride in its artistic heritage, enshrining the works of its legendary sons Gaudi, Miro, Dali and Picasso in such a way as to make them accessible and yet retain the glory of their genius and individuality.

To witness an ever-booming tourism industry predicated on the works of artists is particularly heartwarming.

Artists after all, do not conquer territories except those of the heart and mind; they do not transact in any thing but the world of ideas and thoughts; they have no religions to impart but those of the soul and their own individuality.

Many a time, through my stay, I found myself thinking, "Why haven't we in India built our cities around the works of our own artistic and cultural Gods? Manto, Tagore, Ray, Husain and Sher-Gil?

Why do we not take pride in their works and share them with the world in such a manner too?

And then I remember that perhaps you do have such a plan afoot: it's called 'Kala Ghoda to Times Square in 10 easy steps'.

Dear Mr Naik, fifty years ago, almost to the month, my mother, Usha Rajbans Khanna opened a little café called Samovar at the Kala Ghoda in the Jehangir Art Gallery, the city's leading art precinct.

She had done so on her return from Paris where along with my documentary film making father, she'd spent many glorious days in the cafes on the Left Bank in the company of artists, poets and writers.

She'd wanted to recreate that heady, open and inspiring atmosphere in Mumbai, and so with no knowledge of the restaurant business, or in fact any business whatsoever, she'd launched the café with two tables, eight chairs and a kettle for tea!

From the very beginning, Samovar attracted artists, poets, writers and filmmakers. Here, Husain and Souza and Ara would sit sketching for hours, poets Ezekiel and Kolatkar would exchange ideas and poems and writers like Naipaul and Moraes would scribble away.

Samovar went on to great glory, written about in the world's top newspapers, the subject of films and books and once even the inspiration for a rap song!

I tell you all this Mr Naik because as someone with such a strong emotional connects to the area the idea of converting it in to a Times Square in my humble opinion requires a rethink.

The area of Kala Ghoda ought to be a tribute to Mumbai's artistic spirit. The works of its masters should be emblazoned across its buildings, their sculptures should dot the streets and their poems should be broadcast across roads.

After all the artistic heart beat of Mumbai calls for a tribute to its artists in the way the city of Barcelona has done.

However if you do envision a great tourist hub for Mumbai, Bollywood, that repository of popular mythology and glamour, would be a perfect subject.

After all, neon signs, cartoon characters, giant hoardings and the memorabilia of stars, will surely make for great tourist attraction.

Bequeath Kala Ghoda to its rightful artistic heritage Mr Naik, and while you go about it, do find the time to visit Barcelona to soak in its inspirational beauty.

It will be lovely to discuss all this on your return from that beautiful city over a hot cup of tea and samosas at the Samovar, of course!

With every good wish,

Yours sincerely etc

Malavika Sangghvi can be contacted at malavikasmumbai@gmail.com

The writer believes in the art of letter writing