In pictures: This old lodging-and-boarding house is now a venue for cultural events

A 1947-built lodging-and-boarding house near Crawford Market, New Vasantashram, is adapting to the times by refashioning itself into an alternative cultural venue. Seen here are Godrej cupboards painted with images of deities at the entrance to the prayer room (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

Updated on: Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM IST

Lifestyle

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

A 1947-built lodging-and-boarding house near Crawford Market, New Vasantashram, is adapting to the times by refashioning itself into an alternative cultural venue. Seen here are Godrej cupboards painted with images of deities at the entrance to the prayer room (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

2/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

(Left) A drum painted in acrylic colours now serves as a food counter; New Vasantashram now features distressed doors (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

3/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

Sujata Rao, the second-generation owner of the lodge, took over 14 years ago, and runs it with her mother and sister (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

4/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

Rao’s decision to change things around was to cater to a changing demographic. “ With textile, diamond and other markets moving out of south Mumbai, our clientele is now younger. We now get students who come to intern in law firms or to attend workshops at Bombay Stock Exchange. We get medical and leisure tourists, staycation-ers and foreign tourists,” says Rao. (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

5/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

Two years ago, Rao revamped the lodge (spread across the third and fourth floor of Narasimha Mansion) and made it contemporary (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

6/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

“ My father and his brother waited at the Victoria Terminus railway station along with coolies to convince travellers to stay here. Over the years, they garnered a loyal client base that still comes here,” says Sujata Rao, the second-generation owner of the lodge. (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)

7/7

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Jul 01, 2016 4:49 PM

Ladders have been attached to the ceiling to hang lights (Story: Soma Das) (Photo: Aalok soni/ht)