'Photographic' memory

Ever glanced at those family albums only to have a happy grin seeing your father don those lengthy sideburns and your mother sport bell bottoms and tied shirts typical of that age? Ever wondered what would it be like to be part of that era? If you're all about being charmed by the old-world, we suggest you pay a visit to Hamilton Studios at Ballard Estate. Even the board at the outside of the studio, which is a classic English font, a typeface common to old Britain, will teleport you to a Bombay that was.
As we walked into the studio, shifting a couple of chimes that scantily curtained the open entrance, it felt like we left behind the city which is at most occasions defined as 'busy and bustling'. Time stood still, literally!

We were greeted by the only help at the studio, who asked us to take a seat while he walked in to inform Ajita Madhavji about our visit. As we glanced about, we noticed familiar faces through pictures. From the enchanting smiles of yesteryear stars like Madhubala and super model Persis Khambatta, to the first of the Tatas and Birlas, and even the Dalai Lama; pictures that were shot here were many, industrialists, bureaucrats, well-known names, you name it, they'll have a copy. 
A couple of minutes later, Madhavji, a mid-aged woman with an infectious smile, was sitting right opposite us. What followed next was a tête-à-tête about bygones, ranging from how Ranjit Madhavji (proprietor) got into photography to Zeenat Aman's first portrait, et al.
We asked her if the legal issues pertaining to the studio were over, as we had heard that the NTC Mill owners who own the place wanted the tenants out from 1976. With a punch of optimism coating her slight disappointment she says,, While we're not facing much trouble as of now; we formed an association ​in 1992 for aggrieved genuine tenants of all PSU's​. My father formulated the guidelines in 1991 ​(with the Urban Ministry) ​and modified it to make them into directives. All we want is that the genuine tenants are left alone, the illegal ones can be displaced. The idea is, they need to be reasonable​ even if there's an​ increase the rent.”​
How her father, Ranjit Madhavji, became one of the world's well-known photographers is quite a story. Was he always interested in photography, we ask her? She replies, “Not really. My father was an all-rounder. We were cloth merchants, which was our family business. Back then, we owned a two-storeyed store at Mulji Jetha market. Once my father was told by an acquaintance, why don't you try photography, it is a good business? That's how he started; turning his bathroom into a dark room to process his first picture. There was no looking back post that, because he knew he was good. IIt was his passion.” Madhavji was so keen on photography, that he decided to buy a studio. Ajita says, “Someone told him that this 5,000 sq ft studio space owned by the Sassoons (Sir Victor), was out for sale. The moment he stepped into the studio, he knew this was the space he needed. He wrote a blank cheque to the owner, they made a deal and the studio was his. Back then, the studio had a staff of 22 well-spoken, suited-booted gentlemen; so dad decided to be clad in similar clothes.” One life lesson learnt: if you're passionate about what you do, there's no stopping you. But from owning a studio to having an elite clientele in just about years, that's impressive. Ajita responds, “The Lords started visiting for their portraits to be made by us; Lord Brabourne of Brabourne Stadium, Lord Willingdon of Willingdon Club, you name them. Slowly, by word-of-mouth, Hamilton was a must-visit studio. People came from all over the world, and if they visited Mumbai, they visited Hamilton and got a picture clicked.”   
Ranjit, who currently has a back problem, because of which he seldom visits the studio, has given the responsibility of the studio to his daughter Ajita. But was photography always her calling? “My father would wake up at 5 ​a​.m., and that was something I never wanted to do. Though I knew about photography, I was never interested in it. But once, when my father wasn't in town, one Mr. Monsanto of Monsanto Chemicals asked for an urgent passport picture. When I gave him the same, he put it back at the table saying 'This is not what Hamilton gives me.' That irked me; and I knew that I needed to learn photography urgently. My father refused to teach me and pushed me to learn it on my own; so I enrolled into photography school. And here I am.”

We ask her if the age of digital photography and selfies has hampered the business. “Everything is digital now,” she says. “But we still hand paint, when it comes to restoring pictures. I'm trying now, but I am more happy with the manual one. And selfies, well it's what the generation likes.”
When she brings to the table some pictures (she showed us Zeenat Aman's mother's picture), and shows us around the studio, one can't stop and soak in the archaic charm it exudes. The stories one will hear from Ajita are many...from how the family picture of the Birlas were clicked by Ranjit to her being the only girl in her photography class and topping it too, to Ranjit actually asking Zeenat Aman's mother to get Zeenat into modelling...if only time could stand still.