Saying goodbye: Artists immortalise post-Independence bungalow before it is razed

Mayuresh Shirolkar, one of the coordinators of the group, felt his architect’s eye drawn to the parallel stone walls that gave the house its character. The design of the house is inspired by architects such as Louis Sullivan.

Bhandarkar Road, Bhandarkar Road post independence bungalow, pune artists, Bhandarkar Road post independence bungalow razing, pune news, indian express news

The design of the house is inspired by architects such as Louis Sullivan.

On a lane off Bhandarkar Road, a bungalow — made of stone and brick, surrounded by a lush garden, and reminiscent of post-Independence architecture — is counting down to the day it will be reduced to rubble, and a swanky new condominium takes its place.

Built by Vasant Godbole, a cvil engineer, and Kusum Tai Godbole, one of the founders of Suhrud Mandal, a school for special children, in 1963, the house is a part of an era when artists such as Pandir Bhimsen Joshi, SD Phadnis and Gopal Deuskar would be guests.

On Sunday morning, a different group of artists decided to celebrate the house one last time through art. At the initiative of the owners, the Godbole family, members of Urban Sketchers Pune descended on the house – called ‘Shankara’ — with pencils, pens, paint and pads, and created works inspired by it.

In documenting the house, some artists looked for stories to capture and others attempted to catch the essence of the space.

Mayuresh Shirolkar, one of the coordinators of the group, felt his architect’s eye drawn to the parallel stone walls that gave the house its character. The design of the house is inspired by architects such as Louis Sullivan.

“I found it to be cubist, with columns and strong edges. It was designed with a lot of care and interest. I felt that the two walls gave strength to the entire structure, not only physically but also visually. I sketched the building, once from one corner and then the other side, to get a complete perspective of the walls. Everything else about the house seemed to be floating from the two parallel walls,” he says.

In some works, such as watercolours, the house peeps through a covering of foliage while, in others, the gate is the point of focus.

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“My grandparents were connoisseurs of art, music and theatre. Our house has witnessed weddings, engagements, concerts and talks. Children have climbed the branches here, laughing, crying, digging deep, and growing roots. I wanted to do something special to mark its 57 years of standing strong, so I invited the Urban Sketchers Pune to our yard and promised them a cup of tea and biscuits for two hours of celebration of art. Around 25 artists came over, sat around Shankara and sketched away. It was a beautiful morning and what better way to bid adieu to our much loved house than to immortalise it,” says Shilpa Godbole, a marketing professional.

This was also the first time that Urban Sketchers Pune, a chapter of an international art movement, was stepping out since the pandemic drove the country indoor. The artists wore masks, sanitised frequently and there was no group photo after the event. The artwork were bought out by the owners, who organised a display near the stairs.

“Saying goodbye to our house is the hardest part of our life. It is like saying goodbye to a loved one,” says Shilpa, adding that both her grandparents had passed away in the house they had built and nurtured as connoisseurs of art.

It was the relationship of the house with people that Manish Pimpley, another sketcher and an IT professional, was drawn to. In his works, the bungalow is the backdrop to people creating a buzz, comfortable in one another’s presence, interacting, documenting in sketches their own perspective and interpretation.

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“As the sketching session was on, I noticed a woman with a drum arriving at the scene with two children for ‘jogwa’. She looked up at the house and I found another point of view, of an outsider to the scene and house, but connecting and engaging…” says Manish.

Soon, Shankara will live on in memories and these works of art

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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