Delhi's Evolution: Sonia Gandhi's Memoir and 'Chashme Buddoor'
A shared portrait of a vanishing capital city through literature and cinema.
1Shared Cinematic Landscapes
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, 'Belonging', and Sai Paranjpye’s 1980 film 'Chashme Buddoor' both capture a specific, vanished version of Delhi. They depict a city of quiet roads, open spaces, and leisurely afternoons at India Gate. This shared geography serves as a poignant backdrop for both personal growth and cultural storytelling in the capital.
2The Concept of Mahaul
In the film, a waiter describes the atmosphere as 'mahaul achha hai', a phrase Paranjpye notes is difficult to translate directly. It encapsulates the vibe of a pre-modernized Delhi that has since disappeared. Both the book and the movie mourn the loss of this intangible social atmosphere that once defined the city's public spaces.
3Arrival in 1968
Sonia Gandhi arrived in Delhi on January 13, 1968, describing an airport that resembled a poorly lit hangar. She recalls hearing jackals howling near the Ridge at night and seeing streets filled with bicycles rather than motor traffic. Her early impressions highlight a capital that felt vastly different from the bustling metropolis of today.
4Two-Wheeled City Exploration
Both the film's protagonists and Sonia Gandhi navigated the city on two wheels. Gandhi rode a Suzuki moped and later a Vespa to learn Hindi, often facing chaotic traffic. Similarly, the characters in 'Chashme Buddoor' famously pile onto a single motorbike, singing their way across the city’s shady avenues and historical ruins.
5Infrastructure and Change
The 1982 Asian Games served as a turning point for Delhi's landscape, introducing flyovers and new infrastructure. Sonia Gandhi notes that Rajiv Gandhi was heavily involved in these developments. The film, released in 1981, captures the city just before this massive urban transformation permanently altered the skyline and the pace of life.
6Ruins and Urban Expansion
Both the book and the film feature Tughlaqabad Fort, once an isolated ruin on the city's outskirts. Paranjpye filmed a kidnapping climax there, expecting a deserted area, but was surprised by crowds from nearby villages. Today, those villages have been entirely absorbed into the city's ever-expanding and dense urban sprawl.
7Domestic Worlds Compared
While the film focuses on the bohemian life of friends in a rooftop 'barsaati', Sonia Gandhi’s reality involved living in government bungalows. She describes these spaces as cold and dingy, contrasting with the romanticized, cozy domesticity depicted in the movie. Her memoir reveals the stark difference between public perception and private political life.
8The Linguistic Fabric
The Delhi of the era was a melting pot of languages, with the Gandhis speaking a mix of Hindi and Urdu at home. The streets were increasingly influenced by Punjabi refugees who had arrived after 1947. Both the book and the film reflect this linguistic transition, even if they do not explicitly analyze it.
9Environmental Decline
The film’s original title, 'Dhuan Dhuan' or 'Castles of Smoke', proved prophetic regarding Delhi's air quality. Sonia Gandhi contrasts the crisp, clean air she experienced in 1990 with the oppressive, toxic smog that characterizes the city today. The population growth from 60 lakh in 1981 to over 2.3 crore has drastically impacted the environment.
10Legacy of a City
Ultimately, these works serve as historical records of a Delhi that no longer exists. They document the transition from a quiet, manageable capital to a sprawling, polluted megacity. By comparing personal memories with cinematic art, they highlight how quickly urban environments can lose their character under the pressure of rapid modernization and growth.
Original article: NDTV – India — Delhi's Evolution: Sonia Gandhi's Memoir and 'Chashme Buddoor'