I got a chance to visit Ambedkar University Delhi’s campus at Kashmiri Gate (a campus that it shares with a couple of other universities), and explored the purported library of Dara Shikoh, which was turned into the British Residency (offices?) in the first half of the 19th c, and which is now used as ASI offices. Continue reading
During a trip to the Bahraich area of UP in 2010 I passed through this small town called Nanpara, which had a few jems of “desi deco” architecture, desi deco being the umbrella term I’m using for buildings (mostly small residential and commercial) built in the mid-20th c throughout India that use and appropriate art deco elements and motifs in various creative (and often kitschy) ways. One finds such buildings in all kinds of unexpected places, including small towns and larger villages, and it’s always a treat to come across them. Continue reading
In India when we think of British colonial architecture, we generally picture the “capital” architecture of Calcutta and Delhi, or then hill stations like Shimla, which the British escaped to for large parts of the year to escape the heat of Indian plains, which apparently they just couldn’t stand! However throughout India in cities and towns large and small, there exist rich troves of colonial architectural heritage Continue reading
Agra desi deco
During my walk around Agra’s old city came across this Desi Deco cinema hall (named Roxy of course)! I’m sure there will be more such examples in the old city! Continue reading
Sarson ke Khet 