The Hindu Business Line : The day the Taj burned

Mumbai Nov. 27 For about 105 years, it stood there majestically, keeping an unwavering eye on the Arabian Sea’s eternal tryst with Mumbai. Its elaborately vaulted alabaster ceilings, grand onyx columns and graceful archways have always been an integral part of the heritage of India’s financial capital.

But, during the last 24 hours, this landmark building of Mumbai, the Taj Hotel, was under siege by armed terrorists, who struck the city in an elaborately planned attack.

Even as a portion of its upper façade was spitting fire and billowing smoke after the terrorists set off explosions, the architectural grandeur of the building still stood out against the blue sky.

The terrorist first attacked the heritage wing of the hotel and then moved on the tower block. The tower wing, conceived by the renowned American architect Melton Bekker in 1973, stands in harmonious rhythm with the Taj Mahal Palace.

On Thursday morning, a portion of the grand arched balconies that are topped by a jagged diadem in the tower wing was seen coughing out black smoke as a result of the handiwork of the terrorist. The upper part of the face of the heritage building that overlooks the Arabian Sea was also seen blackened by smoke.

The terrorists set off their first explosion below the dome of the structure late on Wednesday night. The dome, engulfed in flames, against the night sky caused many a Mumbaikar to grieve, as it has been a prominent part of Mumbai’s landscape for over a century.

Much before the Gateway of India was completed in 1928 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, the Taj Mahal hotel had already become a landmark in the city.

A visibly upset Mr Ratan Tata told a group of newspersons in front of Bombay House in the evening that they were yet to assess the damage suffered by the Taj Hotel building.

Earlier, Mr R.K. Krishna Kumar, Vice-Chairman of Tata Group’s Indian Hotels, said they have not been able to determine the exact casualty figures, but it could be in the region of 50 to 60 people. He confirmed that the first attack took place on the heritage wing of the hotel and then on the tower block, with some of the hotel’s staff, including five chefs, losing their lives.

Since it opened in 1903, The Taj Mahal hotel has been playing host to Maharajas and Princess, world political leaders and global CEOs. Its architectural hallmark has been the confluence of Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. Not only the façade, but its interiors also reflect equal grandeur, with crystal chandeliers, a magnificent art collection, an eclectic collection of furniture and the famous cantilever stairway.

The hotel is known for its artistic tastes — you could see them in the diverse collection of paintings and works of art, the Belgian chandeliers or the Goan Christian artefacts.

Indeed, if one of the objectives of the gun-wielding terrorist had been to smear this heritage of Mumbai, clearly they have failed.

More Stories on : Terrorism | Maharashtra | Hotels

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