Mumbai’s historic drinking water fountains or, as they’re colloquially known, pyaavs, installed approximately between the 1870s and 1950s, while being important structures in the city, conservation architect Rahul Chemburkar tells, there are around 50 pyaavs left in the city. Today, three are functional after restoration, namely Kesowwji Naik fountain at Masjid Bunder, built in the late 1870s, Ramji Setiba pyaav installed in the early 20th century at Shivaji Park, and Kothari pyaav built in 1923, near the General Post Office building at Fort. Six other pyaavs are currently under restoration, and will be opened to the public in the near future.

Path of pyaavs

heritage walk called Once Upon A Pyaav with Mumbai Pyaav Project, an initiative started by Chemburkar and his architecture firm Vaastu Vidhaan, the 49-year-old will guide the curious, halting at five to six of the city’s pyaavs. Starting at Masjid Bunder’s Kesowwji Naik fountain, the walk will trace a path of pyaavs till Horniman Circle at Fort. The trail will cover details of the fountains, such as their confluence of various architectural styles and stories behind the installation to bring to the forefront aspects of Mumbai’s socio-economic and cultural heritage. “Each pyaav has a tale to tell,” Mumbai’s water heritage is unique, yet not many know about it. Uncovering these facets of our cultural past is important.”

Windows to the past

These structures offer a peek into the socio-economic ethos of the past. Chemburkar shares that we’ve been a city that was developed and built on trade and the influx of people from all over who came here to work. He continues that this furthered the need for facilities such as marketplaces, benches, and street lights —this included drinking water fountains as well.

Chemburkar adds, “In digging into the history of pyaavs and documenting them, an interesting fact that I would like to point out that makes me proud as a Mumbaikar, is that these pyaavs were installed for all communities.” They were donated in memory of a loved one or as an act of philanthropy catering to human beings and some to birds and animals, too. Today, the fountains are still called after the names mentioned on the plaques on the structures.

Restoring the pyaavs

He continues that while many pyaavs have been lost, demolished to make way for new structures or interestingly transformed for other uses, it’s important to document, restore and preserve the ones that are left. The architect adds that Mumbai has been at the forefront in taking initiatives to preserve and document cultural and heritage structures.

The functioning pyaavs offer filtered water to the passers-by. “It’s not sufficient to merely restore the structure; it’s important that we breathe life into them and ensure they’re functioning and maintained after restoration,

https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/pyaar-for-our-pyaavs-23232717