Ethnically elite & chic village

Hauz Khas has transformed from a real village into what has come to be called the national capital of ethnic chic by New York Times' Barbara Crosette, writes Purnima Sharma.

For anyone walking into the Hauz Khas Village for the first time, it would be hard to believe that just a few decades ago, say, sometime till the early 1990s, this place was a real village, a far cry from the swanky shopping hub it has become today. Men would sit out on charpoys smoking hookahs while women in veils could be seen tending to the cows and buffaloes tied outside their homes or cooking on choolahs in the kitchen area of their courtyards. It was, you could say, a scene straight out of ‘Real India’ that foreigners would flock to India to see. Remember?

And so it continued till a socialite who had just returned from the US to settle down in Delhi hit upon an idea that turned out to be a perfect recipe for a shopping hub. She made a start by opening her own store called Twice Upon A Time. As word spread, the Capital’s fashionistas and tourists from abroad started flocking in for a dekko. Cowdung lying around, overflowing drains or the dusty, cobbled roads were no deterrent for these swankily-clad, stiletto-ed ladies. And within no time, more and more people started setting up shops here, making it (arguably) one of the most happening, go-to places of the Capital.

Artefacts in Khazana India.

And it still is...

Walking down the winding lanes of Hauz Khas Village shows an interesting blend of the past and the present — mud-plastered old houses converted into air-conditioned high-fashion stores, stylish boutiques, beautiful book stores and showrooms for exotic handicrafts and antiques — all with an elite stamp. What adds to the exotic air of the village is the fact that it stands next to a historic 13th-century water-tank, a mosque, a tomb and an Islamic seminary.

And the experience starts the moment you pass the car park and turn right towards Deer Park. Some excellent boutiques with the latest in vogue beckon. But the one that’s famous for its unique silhouettes is Ogaan. The store boasts some of the top names and brands in fashion business such as Kavita Bhartia, Varnika Arora, Amrita Thakur, Punit Balana, among others. Next, we step into Country Collection, a haven for those looking to do up their homes with some unique pieces in brass and wood. The furniture here is a smart amalgamation of traditional designs and modern elements. What’s endearing about the place is that almost every region of the country is well represented — be it Gujarat, Nagaland, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Kerala etc. What’s more, the owner will also point towards decorative pieces from our neighbouring states — from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan, each more beautiful than the other. So, if you are looking for a range of colourful mirrors, beautifully designed tables and chairs, planters, statues of different sizes, screens, lamps etc, this is the place to be.

Showbiz beckons

Film buffs who enjoy picking up posters of old movies and of film stars like Madhubala and Meena Kumari for their living rooms can walk into All Arts that also lies close to the Deer Park lane. Look out for old advertisements, metal sign-boards, old paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses that take their inspiration from the paintings of Raja Ravi Verma, tea trays, old books and old maps.

As we move into The Studio that offers a picturesque view of the Hauz Lake Lake, it’s not difficult to imagine that this beautifully spread out shop is often a venue for ad and film shoots. Those looking for designer jewellery that takes its inspiration from temple, ethnic, tribal, folk and Mughal designs are sure to love being here. Most of these pieces are in pure gold and silver.

A charming shop called Claymen offers beautiful pieces that will add a touch of class to your home. Created by Aman Khanna who is a graduate from the London College of Communication, these include not just decorative sculptures “that depict the dilemmas of the common man” but also functional pieces including aesthetically shaped pots and pans, planters, artefacts, etc.

For the record

Walk a little ahead and you come across Khazana India that’s almost next door to the entrance of the village’s historical monuments’ complex. Those walking in will find it difficult to leave this shop that seems almost stacked to the brim with all kinds of vintage collectables. You could take your pick from old postcards, coins, textile-blocks, gramophones, phones, statues, cameras, etc.