Old Delhi's havelis now reborn as new cultural centres of city

For generations, the centuries-old havelis of the Walled City in Delhi were repositories of culture. Stories, myths, songs, hymns, art and architecture these crumbling edifices recounted the fabled history of Delhi

- Manoj Sharma

But soon enough, their decay and the ever-increasing congestion in Old Delhi drove the owners of these lavish, intricately designed havelis away.

These homes, many of which were built in the Mughal era, began to disappear. Some were replaced by commercial complexes, after being sold off by owners eager to get the daunting costs of upkeep and repair. Others sat in neglect, the bricks crumbling to dust.

But a reversal may be in store. Buoyed by interest from several people keen on preserving the heritage structures in the Walled City, these havelis in Old Delhi have found enthusiastic buyers, many of whom have reworked these buildings into vibrant cultural spaces that offer platforms for a gamut of artistic performances.

One of these is Kathika Cultural Centre, a museum and performance space that morphed from two dilapidated havelis.

Hotelier Atul Khanna bought the two crumbling havelis in a narrow, winding lane in Sitaram Bazar. He restored and converted them into Kathika, which opened this May.

"These havelis are an important part of Old Delhi's cultural heritage and I wanted to do something to help preserve them," said Khanna, whose family was originally from the Walled City, and who spent his early childhood in that part of town.

In the months since its inauguration, Kathika-which means a collection of stories become one of the most popular cultural spots in the Walled City, hosting book readings, poetry recitations, workshops, dance performances, discussions, ghazal evenings, and film screenings.

Kathika also showcases the history of Delhi through old paintings, historic crafts, photographs, and a host of everyday objects such as vintage mirrors, telephones, clocks, walking sticks, almirahs, safes, vintage iron presses, typewriters, and radios, among others.