CHANDNI CHOWK, where the old and the new often clash, often in a quagmire of physical, mostly dilapidated, facades of structures and buildings, strikes the chord of a pulsating city-within-a-city. Each alley presents a fading footnote of history, yet inadvertently reveals its past splendour. One of the most fascinating aspects, which reflects this paradox, is its havelis. Crunched between shops, storage garages and houses among other structures, these havelis form an inimitable component of Chandni Chowk. Which is why one of them, called Haveli Dharampura, urges us to turn our attention back to the walled city’s alleys. Located in Dharampura in Chandni Chowk, this 19th century three-storeyed haveli recently emerged as a primary restoration project spearheaded by MP and Heritage India Foundation president Vijay Goel and his son Siddhant, and executed by architect Kapil Agarwal. “I have been involved in restoring heritage structures in Chandni Chowk and as part of my interest, I have visited each and every haveli,” says Goel, “It was a khandhar, but we wanted to maintain its original structure. The beauty of the haveli is that it has everything — from a chhajja, balcony and the arches to tehkhanas. We haven’t changed the basic structure it came with.” But it was also difficult to figure out what to do with it. “Which probably lent it a certain charm. This was also a chance for us to set an example to showcase the level of restoration,” says Agarwal. The process began six years ago, and the deteriorating haveli, approximately 140-years-old, was then inhabited by 20 families. “The owners had sold off the property to multiple owners,” says Agarwal. With the help of a team comprising specialist masons and labourers, mostly from Rajasthan, and conservation students from Delhi, Agarwal and Goel worked on the foundation of the haveli for two years, while the interiors and ambience took the rest of the time. The current images of the structure are a stark contrast to its former facade. Its design and architecture exudes an influence of Mughal, Hindu and European elements. “We wanted to put into it an understanding of old Delhi, and not something that looked like a Rajasthani haveli. Delhi has a distinct architecture, which is minimalistic,” says Agarwal. The haveli, which is slated to open to the public next month, has been designed for more than just viewing. “It will be a performance space, a museum, a library, a heritage centre and a place where students can learn about conservation. There is even a viewing gallery from where you see most of Chandni Chowk,” says Goel.
