‘Versova, Once Upon a Shoreline’ is a poignant and evocative exploration of Mumbai’s coastal neighborhood of Versova, tracing its transformation from a quiet fishing village into a densely urbanised suburb. The book blends history, memory, and environmental reflection, offering readers an intimate portrait of a shoreline that has shaped, reshaped by human lives.

Spanning six immersive chapters, 'Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline' captures the many layers of this coastal suburb through evocative photography and narrative. From the Tides of History and the deep-rooted East Indian Legacy to its architectural Heritage, Bollywood connections, cherished East Indian Cuisine and a contemplative look at Versova in the Future, the book is both a visual chronicle and a love letter to a shoreline that continues to evolve while staying rooted in its past.

The once sleepy village has a vibrant past and a bright future that breathes a cultural ecosystem shaped by generations of artists, filmmakers, fishing communities and families with stories that often go undocumented. The chapters of the book are dedicated to them. Unlike the early days, today, every lane is bustling with cafes, food joints and the shops, jostling with a village look that goes back centuries.

Through dozens of old and new photos, the book is a visual treat shot by renowned photographer Sunhil Sippy, whose images capture Versova in its postcard size format and its large bigger than life imagery.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its attention to the indigenous Koli fishing community which is headed by the East Indian community. Through personal narratives and cultural descriptions, the author foregrounds the everyday lives, traditions, and struggles of the Kolis, whose relationship with the sea is both economic and spiritual. This human-centred approach prevents the book from becoming a purely nostalgic account; rather it brings together how the small village once known as Visava, Vesava or Vesave, later got tagged as Versova. The book showcases the changes the place has undergone such as urban expansion, real estate development, and environmental degradation.

Photos date back to the time when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru visited the shores and danced with the Koli women embracing their rich cultural heritage, to Kolis taking part in the Republic day parade, images of the iconic the Madh Fort on an island called Ambadevi that was the backdrop of Bollywood films like ‘Baazigar’ and ‘Tipu Sultan’.

Launched by Viceroy Properties who recently unveiled its coffee-table book, ‘Versova, Once Upon A Shoreline’, the beautifully book enclosed in a box set, is not only a book lovers delight, a travelers companion or a culinary lovers reference, but it is an intimate introduction to the small village of Versova. It travels from the Koli legacy, who defied the British salt monopoly, to the enduring East Indian traditions of Bottle Masala and the distinct architecture of their Mangalore-tiled homes.

What stands out is the author’s gentle storytelling, which weaves personal anecdotes with archival detail, featuring personalities of the area, bringing to life the Koli heritage, changing landscapes and the rhythms of everyday life by the shore. The book resists romanticising the past, instead offering a thoughtful reflection on loss, resilience and transformation as the city grows around Versova.

It will appeal to readers interested in knowing more about their city, once forgotten coastal communities, to anyone who believes that cities are best understood through the stories of the people who call them home. While the book is relatively brief in content, its photos and stories from residents leave a lasting impact.

The Book Launch

The soirée hosted at the charming Kino Cottage in Versova last month, had a thoughtfully styled venue that set the mood for an evening that celebrated memory, culture, and community, complemented by East Indian–inspired cocktails and traditional bites such as crispy bombil, bottle masala chicken tikka and broccoli, that set the mood for what you can expect o see and also read about in this book. The guest list reflected the soul of the book itself—contributors, local residents, artists, and creative voices who have shaped Versova’s identity over the decades, came together for an evening of conversation, and shared nostalgia.

One of the highlights of the evening was ‘Stories from the Shore’, a warm, reflective tête-à-tête led by Maria Goretti, a distinguished figure in the East Indian community with members of the East Indian community. Revisiting her own years in Versova, she spoke candidly about the neighborhood’s evolving character and enduring charm. “Versova is quaint, filled with green pockets, cozy cafes, and hidden spaces that become part of your daily rhythm," said Goretti, moderator for the evening, while sharing, "What I love the most is the sense of coexistence. In the morning, you might hear church bells, the azan from the mosque, or mandir bells, all blending into everyday life."

This interaction was followed by an engaging discussion featuring Cyrus Mody of Viceroy Properties, filmmaker and photographer Sunhil Sippy—whose images lend visual depth to the book— Rajhans Tapke, founder of Versova’s iconic annual seafood festival, and long-time resident Noel D’souza.

Conclusion:

The book serves its purpose to inform and showcase a thriving village reminding us that shorelines are not empty margins but deeply inhabited spaces of memory and meaning.

The book printed by Mumbai-based Pentagram printers, on 130 GSM, and is an analogue undertaking in a digital age: a meticulously printed, heavy-stock cultural archive dedicated to one of Mumbai’s most evocative coastal enclaves. An act of cultural preservation — a last look at Versova as a Visava, or ‘place of rest,’ as the Koli, the shore’s first people, once knew it.

Published by: Pentagram

Author: Cyrus Mody

Editor in Chief: Serena Paes

Pages: 144

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira