The colour and chaos of Old Delhi has inpired many creative artists. A new member of the pack is fashion designer Nikasha Tawadey whose latest collection ‘Chandni Chowk’ translates onto clothes the charm of the capital’s iconic bazaar.
The collection, presented at the WILFW, reflects the joyful spirit of Purani Dilli, with colours like mithai pink, ferozi and santri, fused with eclectic prints. The fluid silhouettes, layered with glittering tinsel decorations and trimmings bring to the collection a playful spirit. But what’s it about the magic of Purani Dilli that mesmerises artists? For Nikasha, who shares a 15-year-long association with its baazars, it’s totally another world. “They have a completely unusual system of functioning. One many find it very chaotic, but there is a proper system within it. They have a different pace of working, yet it’s probably one of the largest business hubs of the world,” she says. “And I find this system within confusion very magical,” says the designer.
Seconds art curator Himanshu Verma, founder Red Earth, who has been organising various walks across the city. “Old Delhi is a treasure trove of cultures. All the festivals are celebrated wholeheartedly there. That’s probably why the mood of the area is always festive. And that should be enough to inspire anyone,” he says.
Artist Vikram Kalra’s love affair of 20 years with Khari Baoli, Kinari Bazaar and Chawri Bazaar took the form of series Shahjahanabad — A Journey Through Old Delhi, “I would sit there quietly and observe the hustle and bustle. The sounds and smells of the place did the trick for me,” says the artist, who finds even the cluttered electric wires there beautiful.