Putting the utility tag on restored heritage spaces
Updated On: 25 September, 2023 06:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Fiona Fernandez
A recently-held children’s literature festival in a heritage building in Gamdevi shone a light on a successful template where preservation and public engagement came together for a noble cause
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At a session of the literature festival
For any journalist worth their salt, one of the most fulfilling moments is to revisit a place that they had previously written about, and to realise that things are as good as can be; a happy ending, so to speak. And for a journalist covering the challenging world of urban and local heritage, it’s that much more satisfying to notice a structure or a site in great shape, years after having featured it for its conservation efforts; what’s even better is to see it being utilised for its original use—the benefit of the general public.
This columnist was pleasantly surprised when both wishes were granted recently. I was recently invited to be a part of Multi-Storied, a literature festival for young readers held in the historic Malabari Hall at Seva Sadan in Gamdevi. It was a first-of-its-kind initiative for this age group, backed by a high-schooler and her family. A noble idea, we felt, especially in a city that’s starved of a well-oiled literary calendar not just for children, but across age groups. So, to have a packed, daylong itinerary of sessions with authors who were writing for YA (young adult) readers, deserved applause. The audience was an eclectic mix of students from well-heeled SoBo families, suburban middle-class folk, as well as civic-run educational institutions. It brought a diverse, insightful vibe when it came to the responses and questions to speakers, as I was to also figure in the course of a quiz I had conducted with this motley, bright bunch. They aced all the rounds, impressing upon the fact that while they may have limited or no access to some parts of the city, they knew their history and geography, barring the odd one, like the semi-tough question where the answer was Mithi River! ‘How could they not guess?’ I wondered silently. Still, going by their overall enthusiasm and interest levels, I could safely summarise my observation and interaction time with them by borrowing the oft-used line—the kids are all right.
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