Check Out These Bandstands in Mumbai Where British Bands Played During Colonial Rule!

The financial capital of the country and the city of dreams, Mumbai, is home to more than 12 million people. India’s most populous city is now an amalgamation of cultures, as people from all over call it home. Those who have grown up in Mumbai will agree when I say that no matter how crowded the roads are or how bad the air quality is, Mumbai is more than that and always has been. It is the rich tapestry of history and culture. Home to a few iconic places like Marine Drive, Regal Cinema Hall, and Juhu Chowpatty, all these places are steeped in the city’s history. Similarly, every corner of the city has some sort of historical significance, yet many people are still unaware.

Mumbai & Bands

Let's talk about one such historical tradition that once prevailed in many corners of our city during the British Raj: bands! Yes, you read that right. When the British were still ruling us, musical bands would perform every evening in various corners of the city. These bands were played by military soldiers as a form of entertainment. The places where these bands would play were called 'Bandstands'. Bandstands are often semi-circular or circular in shape, very similar to the structure of a gazebo. One of the stories also suggests that these bands were assigned to play English music, as many British soldiers would often feel homesick. There are various spots scattered across the city where these musical bands were performed. There are six such Bandstands in Mumbai. Let's discover a few of these hidden spots!

Bandra Bandstand 

At this point, who hasn't heard of the Bandra Bandstand? With sweeping views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the cool coastal breeze and the iconic Bandra fort, one of Mumbai’s oldest forts, Bandstand is a top tourist attraction in Mumbai. Bandstand, other than being a tourist attraction in itself, is a popular tourist destination as it houses the Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s home, Mannat. No matter when one visits, the place is swamped with crowds, may it be students bunking their college or families chilling by the promenade. But have you wondered why it is called Bandstand? Well, what if I tell you that this was one of the places where the Britishers would play bands? Though over the years, Bandstand has changed, the original garden and the domed structure where the band played still exist. Though we do not know the exact time when this domed structure was built, it definitely will be more than 100 years old. 

Cooperage Bandstand 

Just like me, are you hearing of this place for the first time? Well, it’s time we know more. The Cooperage Bandstand structure was constructed in 1867 after the first Bandstand was built in South Kensington’s Royal Horticultural Society. To make a bold claim, this could be one of the first such Bandstands built in our city. As the British brass bands gained popularity, they needed a space to build one such similar structure in Bombay. It is said the performances held here would be graced by the city’s aristocrats and common citizens, too. This canopied structure is an example of the forgotten heritage of Bombay.

The Cooperage Bandstand is built of wood with a stone base. It also has octagonal posts on the periphery with decorative panel brackets and is edged with a minutely carved fascia board running all along. Along with this, the BMC also constructed an open amphitheatre. Since then, this place also boasts a reading club, Mumbai Bookies, founded by Shantanu Naidu, where people from all over the city join in booming the reading culture of Mumbai. 

Babulanth Garden Bandstand

Every turn and corner of Mumbai has some history attached to it. Another such historical monument still stands today at the Babulnath Bandstand Garden. This garden, located at a very prime location facing the sea, is also known as the ‘Seth Tulsidas Kilachand’ garden. It’s just a five-minute walk away from the Babulnath Mandir. People would visit this garden in flocks for their morning strolls or to spend the evening by the sea as the city turns a hue of orange.

Since there was no other form of entertainment in the pre-independence era, people would often gather here to end their evening on a musical note. The garden and the Bandstand structure were in a dilapidated state for many years until, in 2017, the BMC restored it. Next time you plan on visiting the Babulnath Mandir, just a short distance away is this beautiful historic structure.