Resurrect Rhythm House: Anand Mahindra Proposes Crowdsourcing Fund

Will Mumbaikars be able to save Rhythm House for the love of music?

Nirav Modi, recently accused of committing a fraud of over Rs 11,400 crore, has reportedly fled the country, leaving thousands of his employees jobless and some remarkable buildings in Mumbai stranded. One such building is Rhythm House in Kala Ghoda, which the billionaire diamond jeweller bought for Rs 32 crore to reportedly turn it into a showroom.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached 21 properties worth Rs 524 crore owned by Modi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

When Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra got wind of the news, he started a tweet thread asking if others would be interested in restoring the iconic music store if the ED eventually plans to auction it.

Mahindra suggested that people collectively acquire the building and turn it into “a performance venue for rising musicians & a hangout for music lovers”.

If the ED is going to eventually auction Rhythm House, how about a bunch of us in Mumbai collectively acquiring it, restoring it & turning it into a performance venue for Rising musicians & a hangout for music lovers? Happy to be part of such a band.. pic.twitter.com/oGHeIat7Bt

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 26, 2018

His tweet got multiple responses and many jumped in to say they’d be willing to pitch in and restore Rhythm House.

Sir, I'm in. I'll happily chip in, curate, organise management, and do whatever else is needed. It could be a centre for a whole new generation of music and musicians. Much needed. #RhythmHouse

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) February 26, 2018

Good idea Anand. Let’s connect on this offline

— Milind Deora (@milinddeora) February 26, 2018

Sounds like a plan.. excited to be part of it ..!!! 💪🏽🙏🏼❤️👍

— SANAM (@Sanam_Official) February 26, 2018

Great idea. The city needs these kind of places :) I’m willing to help in whichever way I can

— Ronnie Lahiri (@ronnielahiri) February 26, 2018

Even the general Mumbai folks said they were willing to save the legacy of Rhythm House by pitching in in whatever way they can.

Sir, we at Harman (JBL) stand by you and will happily donate gear to bring this iconic landmark back to its glory days.

— Prashant Govindan (@whysoundmatters) February 26, 2018

See see see @bombaywallah this is exactly what i suggested!! let this become a public open space to promote arts, music and good food!! Respect respect @anandmahindra for thinking like this!!

— Shivnath Thukral (@shivithukral) February 26, 2018

Big thumbs up and thank you..never knew who it belonged to .. but it was always The place for music lovers.. Is there a way we could contribute?

— Smit (@smitshanker) February 26, 2018

wonderful idea. Would love to be part of such a initiative for sure

— Anal Patankar (@abitsmart_77) February 26, 2018

It seems Mahindra has a special place for music in his heart. He brought Asia’s largest Blues festival to India. In 2008, Mahindra also backed MW.Com. and launched Rolling Stones' India edition.