Bungalow 57, more popularly known as the Felizardo House, is a century-old marvel situated just as you enter the Khotachiwadi heritage village in Girgaum.
Here resides Wilfred Felizardo, better known as Willy Black in the neighbourhood. He is known equally well for his Hindi Christmas carols, as well as his colourful home, much of which he has embellished himself.
Wilfred has mastered the art of following one’s life’s passions. He sings, plays the guitar, decorates his house, and provides a loving home to his many pets.
Wilfred Felizardo’s grandfather came from Goa to Mumbai many decades ago, and worked here as a cook. The house was being used as a storehouse by the original landlords, and the Felizardo family settled down here gradually.
Over the years, Willy started making his distinctive mosaic flooring by breaking tiles. He also loves animals and has fish, birds and rabbits in his courtyard. All of the antique pieces he collects are mostly bought from Chor Bazaar.
Some artefacts have even been stolen from his home over years, but Willy remains unfazed, and just buys more and more to keep his home decorated!
Bungalow 57 is famous for its signature snowman, who revisits Khotachiwadi during Christmas week every year. Wilfred has been making his favourite snowman out of cotton since many years now, and decorates it in true festive spirit!
He plays his guitar, along with his friend, dressed as Santa Claus and they go around singing carols. Since most of the area is now occupied by Hindus and Maharashtrians, he even sings his jingles in Hindi!
Wilfred Felizardo was born & bought up here. There were 65 such bungalows in Khotachiwadi,but now only 28 remain. The rest have been demolished to make way for skyscrapers that are slowly eating at Bombay. One of the old bungalows had the holy stone of ‘IHS’, which was given to Wilfred to preserve. It stands proud on the exterior wall of Felizardo house. ‘IHS’ are the first three letters of the Greek spelling of the Holy Name of Christ: ‘Ihsous’. Wilfred says “I want to die before I see a skyrise here.”
‘Houses of India’ is our weekly photo-story project, where we discover one home, and its story. Follow us on Instagram @housingindia, and join us on this beautiful journey across the country.
