A B O U T

Deco in Delhi is a narrative building exercise that looks into the city’s architectural history through an alternative lens. Conceived in March 2020, the initiative surfaced from learning about the city’s past, often through textbooks in schools, which became the first point in realizing the inconsistency of Delhi’s history, anchored in the historic monuments of the Mughal and the Colonial era, leaving out layers of unknown stories held within everyday buildings that most of us have grown up surrounded with. Modern Heritage styles which define the city’s urban heritage rather than just monumental one, became the core of the research, which is when Art Deco style flourishing in the by lanes of the older quarters was observed. Often conversations about Art Deco were limited to the West or Mumbai, which has recently proven its vast collection of buildings and public arts, but the style majorly went unnoticed in different cities, and specially Delhi, which soaked up the architectural definition from the British, Lutyens and Baker’s New Delhi.

Ever since the Delhi Durbar to the end of the Raj, a parallel style was blooming in the city, akin to the voice of the common man. The style thrived with new buildings and typologies, strengthened by modern materials and ideas paved through ocean liners, influencing and developing with the society at large.

In the past 2 years, through personal initiatives and the support of the India Foundation for the Arts Research Grant, the project captures the journey of Deco in the city and relooks at the city’s history through its lens. Through this enriching experience that has made us more curious and at the same time aware of Delhi’s many layers, it is hoped this research contributes to future scholars of the field, as well as disperse knowledge to the common man, raising awareness to the most beloved style of the city’s Modern Heritage. Building familiarity and a sense of belonging for the present and future generations who’ve lived through Art Deco precedents or are associated with it would lead to positive active involvement with the style. Lastly, to generate worth in a global arts movement present in the city, and its future incorporation in heritage listings