Royal Opera House British Era Bombay, 1915 Postcard

Royal Opera House British Era Bombay, 1915 Postcard

A 1915 postcard of the Royal Opera House in British Era Bombay (Mumbai). Constructed in the baroque style, the Royal Opera House was one of the best places of entertainment during the golden years of theater and drama.

Once a jewel in the crown of Bombay’s famous landmarks. Although completed in 1912, it was inaugurated a year earlier (1911) by none other than King George V. Since, the King and Queen were in town in 1911 (on their way to the Delhi Durbar). What better chance than a great luminary inaugurating the Opera House.

Maurice Bandmann and Jehangir Framji raised the funds for the construction of this theater building. For years the house played operas, drama, and other live perfomances including magic shows. However, theatrical events waned in the Opera House because of the rapid popularity of cinema. In 1952 the Maharaja of Gondal, Vikramsinhji, acquired the Royal Opera House.

Read more India’s Only Surviving Opera House. See post Theatre In British India Mumbai- Old Postcard 1895.

Did you know– that Hindi playback singer Lata Mangeshkar had her first performance in this Opera House.

From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s Portrait Photo – Old Postcard 1904., Antique Print-Plan Of Suratta or Surat c1720., Government House Calcutta – Old Photograph 1890., Vintage Book 1939 – The Handbook of India