Mumbai, November 1, 2026: Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, India’s only surviving opera house, is back in focus as it marks 110 years since its completion and a decade since its restoration and reopening, highlighting one of the city’s most important cultural conservation stories.
Landmark Completed in 1916
The Royal Opera House was conceived in 1908, inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1916.
Built in a Baroque architectural style with a mix of European and Indian detailing, it went on to become one of Mumbai’s most prominent venues for live performance and later cinema.
Gondal Royal Family Acquired It in 1952
The property has been associated with the royal family of Gondal since Maharaja Vikramsinhji acquired it in 1952.
Over the decades, the family remained closely involved in preserving the venue and eventually committed to bringing it back after its closure.
Opera House Shut in 1993
The venue closed in 1993 after nearly eight decades of operation.
The decline of single-screen cinemas and changing entertainment habits made it difficult to continue operations, but the Gondal family viewed the closure as temporary rather than permanent.
Restoration Began After Years of Planning
After years of searching for the right conservation approach, restoration work began under the guidance of the Gondal family and conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah.
The project sought to preserve original features such as the auditorium, royal boxes, chandeliers and proscenium stage while adding modern air-conditioning, acoustics, lighting and other technical systems.
Reopened in 2016
The restored Royal Opera House reopened to the public in October 2016, more than two decades after it had shut its doors.
A year later, the project received an Award of Merit at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Venue Now Hosts Multiple Art Forms
Since reopening, the Opera House has expanded beyond its traditional role.
Its programming now includes music, theatre, dance, literature, comedy, visual art, panel discussions and cultural festivals, helping it reconnect with a new generation of audiences.
110-Year Legacy Continues
The Opera House today has a 575-seat auditorium and remains one of Mumbai’s most recognisable heritage performance spaces.
Its revival is increasingly viewed as an example of how historic buildings can be preserved while still being adapted for contemporary cultural use.
Source: Hindustan Times, PTI, Royal Opera House Mumbai
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