Image Source: Homegrown
This Saturday, Delhi transforms into a vibrant museum of memory and imagination as the multi-art festival titled The City as a Museum kicks off across ten historic and cultural locations. Running from September 6 to 21, the festival invites residents and visitors to rediscover the capital’s layered past through immersive exhibitions, heritage walks, performances, and discussions. Organized by DAG, the event marks the Delhi debut of a festival already celebrated in Mumbai and Kolkata.
From forgotten gardens to bustling book markets, the festival turns Delhi’s streets and monuments into storytelling spaces, weaving together centuries of art, architecture, and lived experience.
Festival Highlights And Signature Events
- The central exhibition, Sair-e-Dilli: Chronicles of Change, opens at Bikaner House, curated by historian Swapna Liddle. It features rare photographs, prints, and paintings that trace Delhi’s evolution from Mughal grandeur to colonial transformation and post-Independence identity
- On September 6, Liddle will revisit the 1902–03 Indian crafts exhibition held at Qudsia Bagh during the Coronation Durbar of Edward VII
- September 7 features a morning walk through the iconic Daryaganj Sunday Book Market, led by author Kanupriya Dhingra and historian Sohail Hashmi
- September 12 brings an immersive audio walk around Mandi House, guided by theatre director Amitesh Grover
- A panel discussion on September 13 at Triveni Kala Sangam will explore how Mandi House’s architecture shaped Delhi’s cultural institutions, featuring voices like Ram Rahman, Zuleikha Chaudhari, Sarover Zaidi, and Shukla Sawant
Reimagining Spaces And Stories
The festival’s ethos lies in treating Delhi not as a static archive but as a living terrain where past and present converse. Events will unfold across diverse venues:
- Monuments and museums that hold centuries of architectural memory
- Nature sanctuaries and gardens like Qudsia Bagh, once royal retreats
- Artists’ studios and homes that continue to shape Delhi’s creative pulse
Rather than focusing solely on dynasties or empires, the festival emphasizes continuity—how different periods coexist and inform each other in the city’s cultural DNA.
Art As A Medium Of Memory
The exhibition at Bikaner House offers a visual journey through Delhi’s shifting landscapes:
- Panoramic views of Old Delhi, including a rare photograph from Jama Masjid by Felice Beato before the 1860s demolitions
- Wall works depicting the interiors and reconstructions of the Red Fort
- Maps and prints that chart the city’s changing boundaries and urban planning
These artworks are not just historical records but reflections of how Delhi has been imagined by artists, colonizers, and citizens alike.
Cultural Commentary And Public Engagement
Ashish Anand, CEO of DAG, describes the festival as a platform for immersive and investigative dialogue. It seeks to:
- Engage the public in conversations about heritage and identity
- Highlight lesser-known narratives and minority histories
- Encourage participatory experiences through walks, performances, and installations
The festival also revisits how post-Independence Delhi became a site for producing cultural narratives that shaped national identity—through both state-led initiatives and independent artistic movements.
Conclusion: A City That Speaks Through Art
The City as a Museum is more than an art festival—it’s a cultural excavation. By turning Delhi’s spaces into stages and its history into dialogue, it invites everyone to see the city anew. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or a curious wanderer, this two-week celebration promises to deepen your connection with Delhi’s soul.
Sources: Indian Express, Homegrown India, Lifestyle Asia India
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