DAG festival to map Delhi's living history

In 1903, two week festivities were organised by the then viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, to celebrate the succession of King Edward II and Queen Alexandra as emperor and empress of India - including an exhibition that highlighted the “threatened” indigenous art of India, held at Qudsia Bagh.

- Aaditya Khatwani

Fine muslin, silk and brocades filled the rooms of a temporary structure built there, along with wood carvings, pottery and enamel work. “It was also open to the public, so it wasn't just the elite who were able to view it,” said historian Swapna Liddle, who will, on September 6 lead a walk through Qudsia Bagh that once hosted the iconic “Indian Art Exhibition” in 1903, as a part of art gallery DAG's maiden “The City as a Museum” art and heritage festival.

“The idea is to bring the museum out of the museum and put it in a public space,” said Liddle, whose curated exhibition titled Sair-e-Delhi: Chronicles of Change” will be unveiled at Bikaner House on September 7, and which showcases historical spaces in Delhi through paintings, prints, photographs, maps, and plans.