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Hamilton Studios

@hamiltonstudios1928

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Incepted In 1928
Founded By Ranjit Madhavji, Now Managed By Ajita Madhavji
Ballard Estate, Bombay, India
[email protected]
02222610485

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Hamilton studios, Ballard Estate, October'17.
A place of history, Hamilton studio was opened in 1928 and is one of the oldest studios in the county. Some of the greats shot there include Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman.
Day 5 of the b/w challenge. .
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#bombay #photostudio #india #stuckintime #oldschool #blackandwhite #hamiltonstudio #streetcricket #backintheday #bollywood

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#HGWidelens:
India's oldest photography studio, established in 1928 by Sir Victor Sassoon. In the 1950s, Ranjit Madhavji, a textile merchant, recalled as "the official photographer of the Bombay state", had a clientele, from Lords and Ladies during the British rule, to J R D Tata.

Today, after eighty nine years, it is inherited and run by his daughter, Ajita.

A nostalgic building at Ballard Estate, with its rich history, seems the time stands still when one visits this place.
Getting a portrait clicked here should be on your bucket list.

Photography by: @anushkagupta5
#art #photography #history #archive #bombay #culture #gallery #photojournalism

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// Antiquities and histories of Hamilton Studios.
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An afternoon at the country's oldest photography studio (est.1928) was enriching, and unraveled stories of gold.
Miss Ajita, the passionate photographer behind the decades-old lenses of Hamilton, inherited this iconic studio from her father Ranjit Madhavji, a legend in photography.
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In conversation with Miss Ajita, I learned the histories of Hamilton. Vintage spectacles atop wistful smiling eyes, she shared pages from her book of life at the studio.
Stories about the Lords and Ladies of British India, the Maharajas and Maharanis of the Princely States and the eminent industrialists and celebrities of Old Bombay.
Speaking fondly (in awe) of her father and his mastery in the art, she talked about the trials and tribulations of capturing the perfect shot, in the perfect light, living up to the golden lineage of the Hamilton name.
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One of my favourite stories is her experience photographing a group of twenty two ladies from Belgium. An incredibly large group to seat, cast light and cast away shadows from, and synchronize into smiling at the same time. With a language barrier barring her from speaking in English (they spoke Flemish), she signaled to the 'Lady in Red' to smile. Identifying that as a song lyric instead, the ladies started singing 'Lady in Red', and the group burst into a bout of laughter. In that moment, laughing herself, Ajita closed the shutter, beautifully capturing the moment in candid smiles and natural sweetness.
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Touching up her photographs that resemble oil paintings with a paintbrush on her easel, Ajita keeps the antiquated magic of the studio alive, one timeless portrait at a time.
It is beautiful meeting such masterful artists, carrying legacies and enriching experiences with them.
Hamilton is truly a treasure trove, a place of magic and mystery; a time capsule that teleports you into a yesteryear Bombay.
Sepia-toned. Sweetened with nostalgia. Symphony-filled, with stories of gold.
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Anushka Gupta
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#bombay #histories #artofphotography #timetravel #bombayarchive

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// An Afternoon at Hamilton Studios.
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Nestled in the iconic Ballard Estate, amidst Edwardian architecture and ripened banyan trees, lies a time capsule,
The Hamilton Studios.
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India's oldest photography studio, established in 1928 by Sir Victor Sassoon. In the 1950's, Ranjit Madhavji, a textile merchant and multifaceted gentleman (legend in photography, state-level rifle shooter, expert musician, ball room dancer), took over and has fueled this place of magic, since.
Today, eighty nine years hence, it is inherited and run by his passionate daughter, Ajita.
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Walking into this haven of history, I stood entranced, breathing in the air of nostalgia; frozen in time.
The walls held poetic portraits of Lords and Ladies from British India, Royalty from the world, illustrious celebrities and eminent industrialists of Old Bombay.
Sunlight filtered into the antiquated windows illuminating the room in a sepia tone. The mint green walls, tiled floors and musky wooden furniture told stories of a forgotten time, in a Bombay rich with heritage; a sanctuary for the soul.
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In conversation with Miss Ajita, I was fortunate to learn about the legacy of Hamilton. The official photographers for the Bombay State, Hamilton holds archives of the crème de la crème
of Bombay; from Lord Brobone, Lord Willingdon, JRD Tata, Maharajas of India, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Madhubala, Dr. Homi Bhabha, Dr. Ambedkar and an endless list that still lives in the negatives, preserved beautifully in this timeless place.
Ajita illustrates the ethereal beauty of photographing in the signature Hamilton light, touching up her photos that resemble oil paintings, with a paintbrush on her easel.
Keeping the golden legacy alive, Ajita fills her time painstakingly creating masterworks in the studio, with undaunting guidance from her father.
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It is beautiful, learning the lineage and tales of this magical place. Time stands still as one travels into a Victorian Bombay, where photography is poetry, and stories come to life through reels of film.
A photograph from Hamilton is a priceless keepsake, a resplendent memory perfumed with history.
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Anushka Gupta
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#bombayarchive #histories

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#30DaysOfBallardEstate
Did you know that it was Hamilton Studios that helped launch #Bollywood star Zeenat Aman's film career? Back in the day, it was something of an urban legend that if you had your pictures taken at Hamilton, you would soon get married. Years ago, a young Miss Aman's mother brought her to the studio to have her photographed. According to then-owner Ranjit Madhavji, she was a natural in front of the camera. 'A born star!' Mr Madhavji recommended her for the then-famous Khatau calendar, and the rest, they say, is history.
Photo: Alisha Sadikot (@alishasadikot)

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#30DaysOfBallardEstate
Ajita Madhavji was a young girl in her 20’s when she inherited Hamilton Studios (estd 1928) from her father, Ranjit Madhavji in the 1980s, who in turn bought it from founder Sir Victor Sassoon in the 1950s. While the origins of the name ‘Hamilton’ are not documented, the Ballard Estate based studio was the official photographer of the Bombay State and captured royalty and the city’s elite in all their glory. “Taking a picture then was not like it is now," she says, while touching up an old photograph on her easel. "When a big personality came in, there would be a red carpet rolled out onto the street, the attendants would be in their best uniforms—it was top class service! Having your picture taken was sign that you had arrived.” So who did they photograph? "Lord Brabourne of Brabourne Stadium, Lord Willingdon of Willingdon Club, Vinod Khanna, Madhubala, Nutan, Maharani Gayatri Devi…" The list is long and very impressive. If you’re in the neighbourhood, head to Hamilton to have your picture taken, or simply to visit the city’s oldest and most beautiful photo studio.

Photo: Smitha Menon (@champarani)

Tag us in your pictures of this iconic neighbourhood with#30DaysOfBallardEstate to get featured on our page!

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#30DaysOfBallardEstate
One of the peaceful areas from #mymumbai in the morning.
#mumbai #india #ballardestate #facades #architecture #mumbai_igers #ifoundawesome

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Introducing: #30DaysOfBallardEstate

It has so many stories to tell: of Mumbai’s oldest photo studio, of a quirky Irani restaurant, a train station that’s long gone and much more. Over the next 30 days, we will bring you some wonderful stories from Mumbai’s Ballard Estate—a place packed with history (also the home of Conde Nast Traveller). We’ll zoom in on the people, the food, and the buildings that make up one of India’s most beautiful neighbourhoods.

Follow us on Instagram, tag us on your pictures of the area and use the hashtag #30DaysOfBallardEstate to be part of our love letter to this century-old business district. View the link in our bio for more details.

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