Ascent into Delhinquency
(Pix by Sahar Z)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqxi3Qt2GnUsfO1L1Y6hePdryqo1wHIkO8Ppl86SG9aLH_6oPbU9x__t_DvP1MfSV9WieFSS3VIqZITCMqucTl69o1BtKbi8SiaPthzSLTrOMIeM593Wxp9FuZ5wovqyalVXZ3phyuA/s400/48degree-1.jpg)
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This past week has been a great time for Delhi… two shows about the city that boldly navigate the public-private art debate.
It's thanks to them that Delhi's suddenly found time to get in touch with its eternal throb. It is a city that not only defines India (established as it was by the King of Gods, no less) but also pulsates with the confluence of many countering energies… a daily race between those who are visiting it and those that call it home or office, all of whom remain but a blip on its eternal radar.
This is the City of Djinns and cosmic DJs who with a mere sleight of hands mix, scratch and direct the fortunes of a billion people. This is the Delhi of sophisticated protests: a sit-out at Jantar-Mantar followed by cappuccino at Barista. Also the Delhi of imperial impulses: spread across two states and still grabbing land. Delhi gives you a voice and ample opportunities to use it. It also gives you immediate recognition anywhere else in the country... Who but a Dilliwala can meet you for the first time and ask 'Do you know who I am?', or remember other people's mothers and sisters at the drop of a hat? Or say 'Don't mind, yaar' every time he jumps the queue to get ahead. And who but a Dilliwala would give you wrong directions to avoid appearing impolite.
Yes, this is Delhi, who at 48 degrees C is a cauldron of contrasts. It is also a city that challenges many ideas about the very Nature of the City.
The images above are part of the city's first public art festival; those below, from a gallery show about the nature of urbanisation.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMHiZqkrVv6KNpIk03850K2Z4oEbLvk-dGSPDe5x74gWr50e17iggsmjfEGufpj_wPHUwjMQZMEq9otmWF6KLNkfQrqZONboxIYcDa-sPyawpO9txOJQ-yr1lyIOGn4yvGA4-hP_zkA/s400/NatureOfaCity-2.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iwIsBvrOZpTeDLmt3-90nFAJa8gn0MSAGbS9EyK1ubK7JhVczS2FylMLFQrjkOUu2kpKveh96dwpkAvzofsglBQiP__mYFir_V2JQCooexHmjQPW6DaZLkseqbMj5Iq1xjIEAIEJJA/s400/NatureOfaCity+-3.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMQIATUk7hJDH1w6GBdghIGIFbX5pF8R6lzPTWyrLlLgJxWtqnpZ2tgGmNtf0EcFinKFBE1l4J-Pn1uhiVu3GFzXo8E7ff5iJRXTeD9h34m8yrEWSvk4hW5sK56BjdkeZZ5bdkO0OTw/s400/NatureOfaCity-3.jpg)
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![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOn853-U6V2VrAQC5e0PTIEhiIQBDQmgjO-0f9D917pbjOBenMo6TmdLxGOV8pd3X4OeHEaVg4XQXO5U_7aSS8uFe6_LatymN6R8lWuVNqP-VGNSGJFw1yJ6i4G8bkqccqMoFHD4Penw/s400/48degree-4.jpg)
This past week has been a great time for Delhi… two shows about the city that boldly navigate the public-private art debate.
It's thanks to them that Delhi's suddenly found time to get in touch with its eternal throb. It is a city that not only defines India (established as it was by the King of Gods, no less) but also pulsates with the confluence of many countering energies… a daily race between those who are visiting it and those that call it home or office, all of whom remain but a blip on its eternal radar.
This is the City of Djinns and cosmic DJs who with a mere sleight of hands mix, scratch and direct the fortunes of a billion people. This is the Delhi of sophisticated protests: a sit-out at Jantar-Mantar followed by cappuccino at Barista. Also the Delhi of imperial impulses: spread across two states and still grabbing land. Delhi gives you a voice and ample opportunities to use it. It also gives you immediate recognition anywhere else in the country... Who but a Dilliwala can meet you for the first time and ask 'Do you know who I am?', or remember other people's mothers and sisters at the drop of a hat? Or say 'Don't mind, yaar' every time he jumps the queue to get ahead. And who but a Dilliwala would give you wrong directions to avoid appearing impolite.
Yes, this is Delhi, who at 48 degrees C is a cauldron of contrasts. It is also a city that challenges many ideas about the very Nature of the City.
The images above are part of the city's first public art festival; those below, from a gallery show about the nature of urbanisation.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMHiZqkrVv6KNpIk03850K2Z4oEbLvk-dGSPDe5x74gWr50e17iggsmjfEGufpj_wPHUwjMQZMEq9otmWF6KLNkfQrqZONboxIYcDa-sPyawpO9txOJQ-yr1lyIOGn4yvGA4-hP_zkA/s400/NatureOfaCity-2.jpg)
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i love the title...what great pics!! the writing cud've been better!! har-har-har!!!
ReplyDeletei've been wanting to go for the exhibit. you make it sound so intriguing. love how you talk about delhi. :)
ReplyDeletethank u purple rain!!
ReplyDeleten thank u anon!!