April 19, 2025
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 & 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
On the 19th of April, a serene Saturday morning, when a sleepy weekend gave Mumbaikars the luxury of extending their nap time by a few hours, some members of Only Women, along with a few women Rotarians, travelled to Kala Ghoda to listen to the footsteps of Mumbai’s early builders in the quiet streets and bylanes of the Fort area in Mumbai. This Kala Ghoda Heritage Walk, organised under our segment Shared Experiences, was a collaborative engagement of Only Women and Rotary District 3141. These women had travelled from all over Mumbai to the storied streets of Kala Ghoda, where time stands still and every corner whispers tales of past centuries, with a purpose and passion.
This soulful heritage walk was part of our monthly engagement, carefully curated experiences designed to inspire, educate and connect our vibrant community of senior women professionals. In collaboration with Rotary District 3141, the event brought together 34 participants comprising Only Women members, Rotarians from various Rotary Clubs, and even an RYE student from France — all united by their curiosity and love for history.
Guiding the journey was well known architect and founder of @Walkitecture, Nikhil Mahashur, who turned the walk into a living, breathing lecture on Mumbai’s architectural evolution. With passion and wit, he uncovered layers of the city’s history — from Victorian Gothic to Neo-Classical, Indo-Saracenic, Art Deco, and traces of contemporary architecture.
“Every Gothic style building has a head popping out of it because the makers of that building wanted everyone to know who had got it constructed”, he said revealing how early patrons ensured their legacies were carved into the city’s skyline. He also pointed out how the top floors of colonial buildings were made shorter, a clever structural and cost-saving design that continues to intrigue.
The heritage enthusiasts began their quest for knowledge from the Kala Ghoda horse and meandered through Mumbai’s magnificent colonial quarters, covering David Sassoon library, Navy and Army Building, David Sassoon building, Jeroo building, Watson Hotel (Esplanade Mansion) now under renovation, Bombay University, Rajabai Clock Tower, High court, Art Deco Building, Stan Chart and Bank of India building, Medow Street and St. Thomas Church, a silent witness to the city’s changing tides.
The walk was an awakening, a celebration of legacy, architecture, and identity, seen through the eyes of women who cherish depth, discovery, and dialogue.
“Experiences such as these are what make Only Women different from others,” wrote actor Nilu Kohli in her social media posts.
“It was truly a wonderful experience. Grateful for the memories and love,” wrote Mrs. India runner-up Shaline Serpes.
“Thank you for the amazing walk down the beautiful city we live in and take for granted,” said Creative Designer Malini Agarwalla.
This April engagement was a reminder of why we do what we do — creating moments that are thoughtful, transformative, and timeless.
