She was a true ‘Bombay-ite’ (as she refused to use the term Mumbai ever) and loved the city with a passion, says Abha Narain Lambah.
The demise of Sharada Dwivedi, Bombay’s finest biographer, has come as huge shocker to the city residents. She was a true ‘Bombay-ite’ (as she refused to use the term Mumbai ever) and loved the city with a passion.
Over the last two decades and some dozen books on the city, she chronicled the history of the city she loved. Through her writings, she brought to life the history and architecture of the city. She was the person any one who wanted to know anything about the city’s history would go to. From students to researchers, conservationists to journalists, she was the unquestioned treasure trove of the city’s archives and she shared her knowledge with a spirit of generosity.
Sharada was also a champion of the city’s heritage. As its finest biographer, she raised awareness about city’s heritage buildings and precincts. She fought to save its heritage buidings. Sharada tirelessly raised funds and much needed awareness for heritage buildings and championed causes related to the city. She was actively involved with the Urban Design Research Institute, Kala Ghoda Association and other citizen groups.
When I last spoke with her a couple of days ago, she
was down with a bad viral infection but was so excited about Mumbai’s Victorian and Art Deco Nomination finding a place on Unesco’s Tentative list.
“Come over this week and we will work out what needs to be done next to prepare the Nomination Dossier. And do collect the signed book on stained glass that I have published”.
I kept my side of the promise and went to her house
today....sadly she was no longer there....but near her writing desk as promised, she had left me my copy of the signed book.
Sharada, we will all miss you. I will miss my long morning telephone chats with you. The many researchers you inspired, the students you helped, the conservationists you generously shared your knowledge with, the heritage lovers you introduced the city to through your work will all miss you....but most of all, the city of Bombay shall miss you as you were the one who loved it the most!
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}