Art Exhibition In Delhi: Celebrating 90 Years Of Connaught Place

Constructed more than 90 years ago, by the British Raj between 1929 and 1933, and designed by Robert Tor Russell, who was inspired by the Royal Crescent in Bath, this place was named after the Duke of Connaught, a member of the British royal family. Until now, you must have guessed it. We are talking about Connaught Place, or what many know as CP. It is the beating heart of the city and as cliché as it may sound, it is seen as a bustling commercial hub, its iconic colonnades, brimming with life. Yet, its colonial heritage and post-independence evolution is often overshadowed by its modern identity. Its story is being told by the ongoing exhibition Joining the Dots: The Past Has a Home in the Future at Dhoomimal Gallery which gives you a glimpse of CP's story.The gallery itself was established in Connaught Place, and remained the centre for many art movements, some came and went, while some stayed and witnessed evolution. “The Dhoomimal Gallery in New Delhi has been a hub for dialogue and artistic exchange. By combining the spirit of Connaught Place and its creative discourse, The Past Has a Home in Future showcases the place as a nucleus of politics and cultural production. Art connoisseurs, enthusiasts, and critics are invited to witness the visual extravaganza unfold at Dhoomimal Gallery!” said Uday Jain, Director of the gallery.The ongoing exhibition is curated by Jackfruit Research and Design, which celebrates the complex narrative of CP as a crossroads of politics, culture, and artistic expression. Through archival imagery, textile works, ceramics, visual arts, and soundscapes, the exhibition encapsulates CP's transition from a colonial-era commercial district to a symbol of contemporary Indian creativity.

Stories On DisplayThe exhibition also shines a light on many archival works from various institutions, including the legendary Mahatta & Co., a cornerstone of CP’s history. Established in 1948, the studio has documented India’s journey through decades, capturing moments both grand and intimate. A featured photograph from the 1940s depicts British citizens queuing outside the Srinagar outlet during wartime rationing of film rolls—a stark juxtaposition of colonial dominance and Indian enterprise.“Seeing Britishers line up outside an Indian establishment during such turbulent times reflects a poignant moment in our history,” shared Arjun Mahatta, a fourth-generation photographer from the family, in a previous interview with IndulgeExpress. Mahatta & Co.'s archives narrate tales of Kashmir's valleys, Delhi’s transformations, and even the last Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Raja Hari Singh.Also Read: Redefining HeritageA.G. Krishna Menon, architect and urban planner also offered compelling insights into India’s complex relationship with heritage.“Connaught Place isn’t traditionally seen as heritage,” Menon noted. “It’s considered colonial, modern, expendable. But why isn’t colonial history acknowledged as heritage? This is one of the challenges we must confront if we are to truly understand Delhi’s past.”Menon argued that Delhi, with its thousand-year history, deserves recognition akin to cities like Rome. Yet, many Indians view the capital as transient—“a place to work, not a home.” For Menon, however, Delhi is home, a city where he has rooted his identity. “Heritage isn’t just monuments; it’s the living history of spaces like Connaught Place that shape our social imagination.” A Collaborative CelebrationThe exhibition features works by contemporary artists and designers like Puneet Brar, Rema Kumar, Anwar Chitrakar, and others, who draw inspiration from CP’s layered history. These works are juxtaposed with archival contributions from institutions like the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts and creations by pioneers like Riten Mozumdar and S.L. Parasher, creating a dialogue between the past and the present. A New PerspectiveThe exhibition urges Delhiites and visitors alike to redefine their relationship with the city’s heritage. As Menon succinctly put it, “What is heritage if not a reflection of where we come from and where we are headed?”The exhibition, much like Connaught Place itself, is a reminder that history is alive, evolving, and deeply intertwined with the future. For those who walk its halls, it offers a chance to reimagine Delhi—not as a city of fleeting transactions, but as a home, a heritage, and a story still unfolding. Joining the Dots: The Past Has a Home in the Future is on display at Dhoomimal Gallery till December 7.