Mumbai: WR celebrates with live production to show rich heritage

Frederick William Stevens designed the WR HQs and several notable buildings in Mumbai

To commemorate the 125th anniversary of Western Railway's iconic Churchgate headquarters building, a live portrayal unfolded on Sunday, recounting the tale of legendary architect Fredrick William Stevens and the building's construction. The event recreated the narrative of WR's inaugural railway lines entering Mumbai in the 1860s.

Recreating the story of legendary architect Fredrick William Stevens and the construction of the iconic Churchgate headquarters building of Western Railway on the occasion of its 125 years, the Western Railway on Sunday brought to life the story of its first rail lines.

Live portrayal of legendary architect Fredrick William Stevens

The headquarters building is a graceful and aesthetic monument with a blend of Venetian Gothic and Indo-Sarcenic styles of architecture. The renowned Frederick William Stevens designed this edifice. Construction of the building commenced in 1894 & was completed in 1899, built at a cost of Rs 7.5 lakh.

Standing imposingly at the heart of the city, the building accommodates WR's administrative offices, the erstwhile Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI). Besides the WR headquarters, Stevens designed several notable buildings in Mumbai, among them the BMC headquarters, the Royal Alfred Sailors' Home, and of course Mumbai CSMT.

"The grand dance and drama production, ‘Ateet Ke Jharokhe Se,' involved around 550 participants who brought the performance to life. The impressive stage presentations featured 250 artists, including members of the cultural teams of WR and Central Railway and their families. Choreographer Shiamak Davar and his team orchestrated the show, while the massive set was crafted in-house by the staff of the Carriage Repair Workshop in Lower Parel", said Western Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer, Sumit Thakur.

"The production portrayed the illustrious history of BB&CI Railway, depicting its origins. It featured special dance performances that showcased diverse dance forms from across the country, providing a visual narrative of the railway's history. The inclusion of folk dances from Gujarat, Koli dance, and captivating performances by railway staff added to the spectacular experience for the audience," he added.