Walks explore Malleswaram’s long love affair with art deco

When you think of art deco, do you think of French buildings like the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées? In the Indian context, you probably think of the buildings dotting Marine Drive in Mumbai. But then, there is a lot of art deco closer home.

A Malleswaram-based project is hosting walks over the upcoming weekends to show the prevalence of the popular architecture style in the old Bengaluru neighbourhood.

Suchitra Deep, architect, is hosting the first of the Art Deco Walks on Sunday. “There might be close to 100 art deco homes in Malleswaram, of which we have mapped about 60. Each of the houses might not show all the elements but when you observe a selection of these houses, you begin to notice the common elements,” says Suchitra, as we walk down the lanes of Malleswaram. 

The art deco-inspired architectural style we see in India falls under the category of ‘tropical art deco’, she explains. “In these buildings, you find lots of curved edges, strong geometric patterns, horizontal and vertical lines, and also some nautical themes. These elements depict movement, straying away from rigidity. The colour palette is vibrant, featuring lots of pastels such as blue, peach, yellow and pink,” she says.

Across art deco styles, some motifs recur. Often found on the exterior of the buildings, common decorative elements are sunbursts, waves, and arrows. Some buildings also feature stepped or tiered facades, and decorative windows.

Speaking about the Indian influences on art deco, she points to the chajja or the overhanging eave of a pastel green house. “While Indians were embracing modernity, they also incorporated some regional elements like the chajjas, patterned mosaic flooring and jaalis. With the increasing use of RCC (reinforced cement concrete), people started using it instead of terracotta to make the jaalis, giving it a modern look,” she says.

Most art deco houses in Malleswaram were built around the 1950s, observes Suchitra. However, the style is not solely prevalent in Malleswaram, and can also be found in neighbourhoods such as Basavanagudi and Seshadripuram.

“Art deco gained in popularity in India around the 1930s. Indians who often travelled to Europe, embraced its streamlined forms and geometric patterns, adapting them to local materials and climate,” she says.

The Art Deco Walks are a part of a larger project called Malleswaram.org, a website aiming to create a continuing digital archive for the neighnourhood, loved by all for its many dosa eateries and tree-lined avenues. It is backed by the India Foundation for the Arts. “We are currently working on launching the website. We believe it is important to highlight the heritage of the neighbourhood as it is beginning to fade before our eyes,” shares Suchitra, who has taken on the role of project coordinator. As a part of the initiative, the team has already conducted a walk focused on the trees of Malleswaram, and a sketching event.

For details, visit @malleswaram.blr on Instagram.

Diving into history

Art deco emerged in the 1920s and 1930s as a response to the rapid industrialisation and modernist styles of the early 20th century. It was first showcased at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, from which it takes its name.