BOMBAY’S BLUE SYNAGOGUE
Mumbai’s Blue Synagogue has had a facelift. After two years of restoration, the neoclassical structure, the Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue or the Blue Synagogue, opened to the public on February 7.
Built by Jacob Sassoon, David Sassoon’s grandson, in 1884, it has, over the years, become one of the most iconic Jewish structures in the city. A walk through the renovated structure reveals some things old, some things new and not much blue. The stained glass windows have a new shine on them, courtesy conservationist Swati Chandgadkar. The Minton tiles, imported from England, and hidden beneath ceramic ones, have been restored, reset and, in some places, replaced by replicas from Bharat Floorings and Tiles. The roof and terracotta ceiling has been repaired and strengthened. The original brass-cast lights, hanging from the ceiling, sparkle with new light. The Victorian stencilling—grapevines, floral motifs and Star of David—discovered under layers of paint has been restored. Funds for the project came from the JSW Foundation, Sir Jacob Sassoon and Allied Trust, the Kala Ghoda Association and the World Monuments Fund.
The biggest change is the colour. “During the restoration, we uncovered layers of paint and found the original Victorian palette of colours—sage green, dull olive green, bottle green, deep burgundy and gold. We wanted the restoration to be as authentic as possible, so we decided to stick to this palette,” says conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, who spearheaded the restoration. The once sky blue exterior now sports white with patches of indigo. “We didn’t find the original colour outside. We could’ve just kept it white, but we wanted to respect oral history and public association with the building. We used a natural pigment, indigo, to ensure there’s still some blue,” she says.
The biggest challenge was integrating modern amenities in a manner that doesn’t destroy the façade. As such, there are no AC vents, pipes, ducts or false ceiling visible. The ground floor has a kitchen and eating hall, which is still being worked upon. The synagogue is open to visitors, who need to carry proper photo identification.