Remembering Foy Nissen in MidDay on 06.08.2025

As published in Mid Day on 06 August 2025

On his seventh death anniversary, Mumbai will come together to salute the legacy of a man who deeply cared for the city.
Foy Nissen, Danish by birth, became an integral voice who helped instill awareness about urban local history.

The Mumbai Research Centre of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai (ASM) has organised a panel discussion titled Foy’s Gaze that will reflect on his invaluable contributions in creating public awareness of the city’s multifaceted heritage. The historian documented its corners and contourson his Vespa scooter, and would often be spotted with eminent names riding pillion, as he’d take them around the city, to help them with their research. His photographs looked at Mumbai in warm, empathetic frames, with the common man as the heartbeat of his vast collection.

The panellists include Justice Gautam Patel, Dr Jehangir Sorabjee and conservation architect Vikas Dilawari who will speak about the impact of his work on their own lives. Dilawari calls him the
“Internet of those times [1970s, 80s in particular]” commenting on his invaluable repository, and reminding us of his legacy. Drop by on Thursday, 5pm, at the ASM’s Durbar Hall, if you’d like
to learn more about this custodian of the city’s heritage.