Named after the Duke of Connaught and believed to be modeled on the Royal Crescent in Bath, Delhi’s Connaught Place (CP) was designed by British architect Robert Tor Russell to store fine goods. Built in the early 1930s, one of its earliest businessmen was Ramachandra Jain, a paper manufacturer and merchant who moved here from Chawari Bazaar in 1935 to set up Dhumimal Dharamdas: Stationers and Printers.
In its colonnaded verandah some of the shopkeepers also moved from Shimla, many prestigious associations were born over the years – for example, if Devichands became popular for uniforms, Imperial Leather Works for military leather goods, Duli Chand for equestrian goods, Ram Chandra & Sons for toys. , and a beauty salon was housed inside the Plaza Cinema. Also, CP was a place where many families enjoyed their Sunday outings and picnics.
CP’s rich and diverse history and heritage is now being celebrated through the exhibition ‘The Past Has a Home in the Future’ at CP’s Dhumimal Gallery till December 8.
“We have tried to intertwine the gallery’s history and how CP has become a focal point for Delhi’s cultural scene, looking at various related aspects,” says Uday Jain, grandson of Ram Chandra Jain and current director of Dhumimal Gallery. . He adds, “At one point, even those living in CP were one big family.”
George Harrison, one of the Beatles, with Pandit Bishan Das at the Hotel Inter-Continental, 1966. Photograph (reprinted on archival paper), 12 x 18 inches. Collection of Rikhi Ram Musical Instrument Mfg. Co.
Curated by art historian Annapurna Garimela, head of art organization Jackfruit Research and Design, the showcase and accompanying catalog bring together vintage photographs, important works from the gallery collection as well as works born from or inspired by CP’s past.
While a timeline neatly links the history of the Dhumimal Gallery to CP, archival photographs from various collections highlight the area’s changing architecture and document what it was like, residents and visiting dignitaries. Among others is a 1997 photo of Khorshed and Shernaz Italia, members of one of the first families to settle in CP.
In this 1963 photo, former United States First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi are seen at the Central Cottage Industries Emporium. In another 1961 photo, Queen Elizabeth II is seen at the same location at a fashion show hosted by the wives of diplomats. In this 1966 photo, George Harrison, one of the Beatles, is seen at the Hotel Inter-Continental with Pandit Bishan Das.
Anwar Chitrakar, The Secular Grounds of Connaught Place, and The General’s Wife on Parade, CP Se Prem Se Series, 2024, Color on paper, 24 x 16 inches, Special commission. Collection of Anwar Chitrakar and Dhumimal Gallery (Image Courtesy: Anwar Chitrakar and Dhumimal Gallery Digital Archive)
“In 1968, the Beatles’ visit to the ashrams in Rishikesh turned the tide at Connaught Place. Before that, they had visited New Delhi for just 24 hours in 1966 and purchased Indian musical instruments from pioneer Rikhiram Sangeet Vyadyram. Stimulated by the visit of the international rock sensation, tourists flooded the grounds of Connaught Place. New businesses such as hotels, guest houses and foreign exchange dealers have made it the center of the tourist trail. ” notes Garimella in the catalog.
A site for political rallies and congregations, she also remembers dark times, for example, the Sikh riots in 1984, when many Sikh businesses in the area had to close shop.
There is a focus on the field as a basis of art. While Ramchand Jain promoted indigenous production of paper and art supplies, he also forged close ties with artists such as Sharda and Barda Ukil, who in 1926 established the Sharda Ukil School of Art on Queensway (Janpath). Along with artist Sailoj Mukherjee, he founded Artists Club in 1936 to serve as a platform to facilitate discussion among artists.
Anwar Chitrakar, Connaught Place in Architecture and Fashion, Restrobar, CP Se Prem Se Series, 2024, Color on paper, 24 x 16 inches, Special commission. Collection of Anwar Chitrakar and Dhumimal Gallery (Image Courtesy: Anwar Chitrakar and Dhumimal Gallery Digital Archive)
Past Contemporary Re: There are also explanations. In her woven sarees and stoles, Delhi-based designer Rema Kumar recreates the geometric and tantric prints of modernist artist-designer Riten Mozumdar. Auroville-based ceramist Puneet Brar’s blue tableware is inspired by designs by legendary studio potter Gurucharan Singh, explains.
In a series, cartoonist Anwar Chitrakar presents a visual reconstruction of Connaught Place, including a World War II victory parade, how the area has places of worship for different religions, and the Dhumimal Gallery as a space for interaction between artists. Typeface designer Pooja Saxena has created a new typeface called ‘Connaught Place’ by studying old signage in the area.
Documenting the changing times, the exhibition consciously tries to bring together as many participants as possible in this development. We see many archival photographs of Madan Mahatta, whose family started the iconic photography store at Mahatta & Co, CP. There is also furniture from Salwan Furnishings, which was moved from Peshawar to New Delhi after partition.
Designer Dhruv Vaish, who hails from one of CP’s oldest tailoring families, explores changing clothing styles and men’s trends. “Many people have many memories attached to CP, but for the present generation, it is not the same. Hence, the aim was also to present to them the importance of CP and its glorious past,” adds Jain.