Passage of time in a Taj corridor

Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is bringing the history of its patrons alive with a display of archival photographs

In the 110 years of its existence, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai has hosted many heads of state, industrialists, musicians, actors and sportspersons. But one evening in 1943, a white horse walked its illustrious halls. Attaturk, famous for performing waltzes and jigs, had been invited to entertain guests at the banquet hall. When a ramp and guiding lights failed to lure him to the first floor, trainer Jimmy Bharucha suggested leaving him alone for a while. The steed is then said to have simply climbed up the grand staircase in the manner of a patron.  A picture of this rare moment will soon find place in a corridor at the hotel that has recently doubled up as space for archival photographs.

Located on the first level of the heritage structure, the corridor is next to the popular Crystal Room and Sea Lounge. Frames of various sizes bearing photographs and maps occupy walls that were largely bare before July, when the archival display was inaugurated to commemorate the 110-year milestone and JRD Tata's birth anniversary. The images were collected from sources like historian Sharada Dwivedi, guests and employees, says Nikhila Palat, director of public relations at the hotel. This passage was picked for the showcase since most visitors pass through it to go to the restrooms or banquet areas. It is divided into sections, among them the beginnings of the hotel, the Tata family, royal guests and prominent suites.

Built in 1903, Taj stands opposite the Gateway of India, which was constructed 21 years later. One grainy black and white picture shows these two structures shot from an angle that today's camera would find obscured by many new layers of buildings. The aging paper of various photographs was restored before being digitally printed on canvas. Small spotlights were fitted in the ceiling and the pictures were framed in non-reflective glass to enhance the viewing experience.

The collection screams with pride of the precedents the five-star hotel set in the industry, proclaiming that it was the first to have electricity and a licensed bar. Little wonder then that the Taj was the hotel of choice for visiting royalty, whose portraits are in the archival selection. Among these are photos of erstwhile princesses like Shashi of Dewas and Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior bedecked in precious gems and finery. A delicately drawn maiden blueprint of the hotel's dome, a feature of the building that is seen in most representations of Mumbai's skyline today, is also part of the collection.

Also on display are the first advertisement of the hotel and historic menus of its restaurants. A 1903 print advertisement shows that rooms were first available for a princely sum of Rs 6. The menu of Greens Hotel, which was purchased by Taj to erect its tower wing, includes oysters for Rs 1 as well as iced Munich and Pilsener beers.

Perhaps the most interesting images are those capturing the glitzy night life of the 1940s and 1950s, when the Taj hosted tango and jazz nights as well as cabaret performances by Catherine Courtney, who also ran a boutique under the name of Madame Pompadour at the hotel. It was also the venue for the first fashion show in the country by the legendary designer Pierre Cardin. Apart from framed pictures, there are three show windows, created by removing wooden panels from the wall. One immortalises Tea Tango, an event where diners would dance in between courses. Those were intensely stylish times, as Palat points out, when people "would wear their Chanel on just a Thursday evening." Another window is a tribute to Madame Pompadour. Two more showcases, one displaying the history of electricity and another with letters from famous guests, are set to be created.

There is no literature accompanying the photographs. Information is mainly given out on a heritage walk conducted for guests in the hotel every evening. The corridor is short and the walkthrough ends somewhat quickly. There are plans to overcome monotony by mixing up the selection every three months. So far, these photos, a few of which are older than 100 years, have impressed some visitors enough to make them stop and click a selfie.