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Time of India
24-07-2025
- Time of India
‘During monsoon, Delhi's monuments & baghs are a visual treat'
Immersed in stories: Delhi joins heritage and photo walks during monsoon Monsoon brings with it a lot of issues, but despite that, the joy of watching everything around you get drenched after a harsh summer is undeniable. Delhi, with its red sandstone monuments and baghs, looks particularly beautiful in the monsoon, and what better way to enjoy this than weekend heritage walks? Layeba Mirza, curator at Tales of City, which organises monsoon walks, says, 'These walks are invitations to listen deeply, walk mindfully, and reconnect with art, rain, and the stories around us. Rains in Delhi are tricky but despite the challenges, stepping out for heritage walks is worth it.' 'Discovering the city in the rain is something which is very special' (Pic: @unzip_delhi) 'Monsoon makes heritage spaces a visual treat' You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Ramit Mitra, founder of Delhi By Foot, who has been conducting monsoon-special walks for a few years, says, 'During the rains, the sandstone looks red and the marble looks whiter, making the heritage spaces a visual treat. The series of monsoon walks, collectively called Monsoon Masarrat, has been a favourite among heritage enthusiasts. From Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Kamla Nehru Ridge to yesteryear's beloved picnic spot, Buddha Jayanti Park, participants explore places that were historically popular as monsoon spaces, when streams used to swell up due to the rains. " 'During monsoons, the focus is on exploring Delhi's gardens and baghs' 'The intangible stories of the monsoon blend with the tangible heritage of the monuments, which intrigues people. Fountains and water channels look lively, allowing people to get an idea of what they were like in their full glory. People engage more, listen to stories and poetry, share childhood memories, and enjoy the vibe,' walk coordinator Kashifa Nadeem says about the vibrant atmosphere of the monuments in monsoons. Mirza adds, 'During monsoons, the focus is on exploring Delhi's gardens and baghs, which were designed as rainy-season retreats.' 'Monsoon is the demarcation of starting off the heritage walk season' (Pic: @sikkawala) Monsoon elevates the experience of listening to stories, while walking through the ruins of Mehrauli and the much-alive green patches surrounding it Padmini, a participant at a recent monsoon walk Culture revivalist Abu Sufiyan says, 'While summer are spent curating museum tours, baithaks and experiences, the monsoon sets the pace for outdoor heritage walks.' Heritage walk host Shah Umair recently conducted an evening walk at Safdarjung Tomb with Delhi's classic downpour as the backdrop. 'As sawan is considered the beginning of everything beautiful and new, I would consider this as the demarcation of starting off the heritage walk season. It also psychologically affects you, so that you start feeling happy after the harsh summer,' he says. Glimpses of Delhi By Foot's first monsoon walk at Mehrauli Archaeological Park, hosted as a part of Monsoon Masarrat The city feels alive yet intimate: Photography enthusiasts Photo walks encourage photographers to capture the city through a new lens. 'The city feels alive yet intimate. I recommend monuments and old streets since they offer not only beautiful backdrops but also real stories with children playing in puddles, women in colourful saris, and people moving through rain-soaked lanes. These human elements add life and emotion to your frames,' says professional photographer Ayush Krishna Tripathi. He adds that the light becomes soft and reflections shimmer on the streets, making it the perfect time for photography. 'Getting out of your comfort zone to click is most important,' says Virendra Shekhawat, founder of Delhi Photography Club. He adds, "Photographers love the water, the feel of clouds, and the quality of light that we get during the monsoon. The pictures look more crisp and sharp with defined shades of green." Amid rains, ictures look more crisp and sharp with defined shades of green (Pics: Delhi Photography Club) It is interesting to experience parts of Delhi in a weather that you enjoy. Garmiyon mein woh vibe nahi aati. During the rains, one gets to see these historical gems in their cleanest form Garima Bhutani, who is a regular at monsoon walks Monsoon walks bring the city together Mohammad Anas Khan, founder of Unzip Delhi, says, 'Discovering the city in the rain is something which is very special, because of the current cycle of how we are as corporate employees, we are stuck in our 4x4 cubicles. Stepping out into the rain is a nostalgia for a lot of people, that is what makes the monsoon walk special.' - Sara Siddiqui and Shivika Manchanda Pics: Lokesh Kashyap
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Music is helping reimagine Delhi's heritage and culture of the havelis'
A 2023 study suggests that the newer generations are willing to spend on experiences over material things, and there has been a boom in experiential consumption As you walk into a haveli, it's hard not to be awestruck by its old-world charm. The intricately carved aalas and taaks evoke nostalgia, while the expanse of the courtyard and high ceilings stir the imagination. But it's the ghungroo, tabla, and soft ambient sounds that brings the space to life. Today, curators and artistes are reimagining these historic havens, turning them into vibrant sanctuaries for music and culture. 'Havelis offer spaces for new forms music' You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi 'Thumris and ghazals were born and popularised in the mehfils held in these havelis,' says Sharad Joshi, musician and co-founder of Music in the Haveli . He adds, 'We are reimagining the cultural heritage of havelis – which were once spaces for creative innovation and nurtured new forms arts.' Co-founder Shruti Sinha, adds, 'We are using the havelis to do the exact same thing: provide a space for new forms of local, global and blended music to be created and performed. The idea is to reanimate the haveli to be as alive as it used to be once upon a time instead of a static, unused space.' Such spaces are always interesting to perform at. As people enter the haveli, they are already open to discover something new. So, when I perform my music in a haveli set-up, I can feel that my audience is really 'listening' Musician Abhishek Sekhri, who goes by the moniker Goya 'Provide a sense of grandeur' 'We are not reviving but creating a culture of intimate mehfils,' says Abu Sufiyan, founder of Tales of City , who recently curated Jahaanuma Mehfil in a 170-year-old haveli Qaiser Manzil in Kucha Chelan. He adds, 'The thought behind creating an experience in a living haveli, inhabited by the Bakht family, is to celebrate the shared heritage and the tehzeeb of Shahjahanabad.' A glimpse from Jahaanuma Mehfil, held at Kucha Chelan's Qaiser Manzil Vidyun Goel, director of Haveli Dharampura, says, "Immersive experiences involving music and dance at havelis is opening up our heritage to the entire world. Along with Indian performing arts, dinners, kite-flying and haveli walkthrough sessions, every aspect of Purani Dilli culture is celebrated. The idea is to transport people back in time, and the wholesome experience helps promoting musical traditions as well. The haveli is like a stage for the performers.' 'The haveli is like a stage for the performers' (Pic: @havelidharampura) Ashna Khanna, from Kathika Cultural Centre and Museum, says, 'At restored havelis in Imli Mohalla, music is not just an event but a journey into the heart of heritage. Musicians often tell us that performing here feels like stepping back into a time when music was shared in baithaks and havelis. The courtyard setting, with its graceful archways, traditional colonnades and graceful overhanging chhajjas, creates a natural acoustic chamber that enhances sound and lends a sense of grandeur.' Performing in a living haveli was a different experience. Sharing personal space with the community, opening it up for a mehfil is a great contribution to preserving heritage Shaheen Salmani, who sang ghazals like Ranjish Hi Sahi, Hothon Se Chhu Lo Tum, Salona Sa Sajan Hai Aur Main Hun at Qaiser Manzil Sharad, adds, 'We find that people are connected to their creative side when they are in a haveli or a heritage space. A musical performance in such a space and in such a state of mind of the audience only elevates their experience.' 'Kathika offers that rare blend of aesthetic, heritage and community that allows both traditional and contemporary music to thrive in harmony' (Pics: @kathikaolddelhi) 'Travellers want at least one highlight experience during trips' Meera Ali, co-curator of Jahaan-e-Khusrau, says, 'Today's travellers often seek at least one meaningful highlight in their trips – especially one tied to heritage or culture. They are eager to know more about their culture and heritage, often feeling they have missed out on these experiences growing up as most families have spent time travelling abroad. Now people prefer short trips to destinations within India (like Lucknow, Neemrana, Udaipur, Jaipur) mainly for the experience of heritage and if that is linked with music, it becomes more attractive.' Abhishek Sekhri urf Goya played his tracks like Dilli, Mad Scientist and Naad at Kathika recently, as a part of Music in the Haveli project (Pic: Kaatayaayni Pandey) 'As these experiences become popular, interest will grow among those who appreciate heritage and art,' says Sunetra Ghose, who recently attended Goya's music event in a restored haveli in Sita Ram Bazar. The tickets of such experiences start from Rs 2,500 and can go upto Rs 10,000, depending on the space and the artiste
