BEYOND THE GLASS CEILING
Harper's Bazaar India|March 2024
Four women from diverse professions on how they navigate gender biases and discrimination to carve a niche for themselves.
GEETIKA SACHDEV
BEYOND THE GLASS CEILING

ABHA NARAIN LAMBAH

Conservation Architect

Abha Narain Lambah's journey in architectural conservation began three decades ago, when she graduated from the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi. As someone who has been instrumental in giving a new lease of life to multiple historic buildings, including the Bikaner House (Delhi) and David Sassoon Library and Reading Room (Mumbai), she gained confidence to have a seat at the table during her days at the institute.

While the gender ratio in her classroom was heavily skewed, the environment was rather liberal-which is what broadened her mind at a young age.

"The girls to boys ratio was miserable; it was probably 1:10. But we also had a co-ed hostel with no warden; there were no questions asked. It opened up my mind that there can be an equal world," she recalls.

Like every architecture course, her reading list included Ayn Rand's Fountainhead. Here, the central protagonist is a tall, strapping and masculine architect-Howard Roark-who defies conventional norms of the trade.

Abha remembers asking herself why couldn't Roark be a woman?

"I think that's why I chose to initiate a women-led practice. I also chose not to marry an architect. Defying each of these norms was a conscious decision," she reiterates.

In her practice, she has always pushed her boundaries, and never let being a 'woman' get in the way of her dreams. Most architects begin their journey with residential or interior projects; Abha's first was an urban streetscape project of Dadabhai Naoroji road in Mumbai.

"I have worked at sites and remote villages-even at an altitude of 11,000 feet in Ladakh. I have worked on a site in a village in Anegundi-the only way to get there was through a bamboo coracle on the Tungabhadra river [in Karnataka]," she tells Bazaar India.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HARPER'S BAZAAR INDIAView all
Unyielding And Unmatched
Harper's Bazaar India

Unyielding And Unmatched

In an industry where every move is scrutinised, Kareena Kapoor Khan lives passionately, loves her job, and understands that there’s more to her than just box-office numbers.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
SEEN AND HEARD
Harper's Bazaar India

SEEN AND HEARD

Female authors explore how crucial it is that women write about their personal experiences.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO
Harper's Bazaar India

INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO

What makes the feminist trailblazer an icon?

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'
Harper's Bazaar India

'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'

AR Rahman believes AI can be used without compromising on the artistic essence.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
THROUGH HER EYES
Harper's Bazaar India

THROUGH HER EYES

Indian supermodels remember legendary photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta ahead of his 68th birth anniversary.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS
Harper's Bazaar India

THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS

From adorning your body to your mantle piece, jewellery designers are turning to homeware.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
WEARABLE ART
Harper's Bazaar India

WEARABLE ART

Three limited-edition timepieces, inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton's love for artistry, is an ode to the Maison's legacy of craftsmanship.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
AS LONG AS TIME
Harper's Bazaar India

AS LONG AS TIME

Bazaar India delves into the ethos of watch brands.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
MILANO MAKEOVER
Harper's Bazaar India

MILANO MAKEOVER

Sabato De Sarno's reimagination of this classic Gucci bag is is an ode to his Milanese becoming.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR
Harper's Bazaar India

A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR

Designer Surily Goel reveals the making of her latest collection.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024