KHIRKI VILLAGE:

A monumental mess

 

Once a gem in the Tughlaq city of Jahanpanah (14th century), today Khirki Village is a mammoth mess, a conglomeration of dense buildings. Starting at Saket, just across from some of India’s biggest malls (read eyesores) the labyrinthine alleys go all the way upto Malviya Nagar, and Khirki is also flanked on all sides by other equally interesting urban villages like Hauz Rani and Chirag Dilli.

 

While Hauz Khas and Shahpur Jat and even Lado Sarai have a strong artistic / design bend, Khirki has acquired the reputation of hosting more experimental art practice, spear led by Khoj. It now has a rich tradition of community art festivals and projects and frequent interactions between the local community and the arts community.

 

Places visited:

  • Khirki Mosque (late 14th century)
  • Satpula, a waterwork / dam (14th c.)
  • Art on site, art installations in the village, and graffiti created as part of the Extension Khirkee festival
  • A walk through the maze to emerge at the other end, Malviya Nagar

 

Duration:                               4 hours

Mode of Commuting:        Walk

Meeting Point:                     Customized

Timings:                                 Customized

Images (click to enlarge)

Khirki Mosque / Photo: Varun Shiv Kapur

Khirki Mosque / Photo: Varun Shiv Kapur

Satpula / Photo: Varun Shiv Kapur

Photo: Malini Kochupillai

Photo: Malini Kochupillai

Photo: Malini Kochupillai

Street art festival in Khirki / Photo: Malini Kochupillai