As the nation is celebrating the independence day and the grateful nation is recalling all those who had shed their blood during the freedom struggle, it is also a time when we discuss the contribution of a British architect who had designed many wonderful buildings of the capital, including Sujan Singh Park, St.Stephen's college, Regal Cinema and Scindia House. Well, he was Walter Sykes George (1881-1962) for you.
He was part of the team headed by the great architects like Edward Lutyens and Herbert Baker. They were designing various buildings of New Delhi in 1920s and George Walter was active member of their team. However, he was different in the sense that he remained in India even afterNew Delhi was built unlike his seniors who all left. George did not leave India even after it got freedom from Britishers in 1947.
The first master piece came from Walter George was Regal cinema of Connaught Place. Regal was the first picture hall of New Delhi,was opened in 1932. The most notable feature of Regal was that Walter George created a restaurant right on the first floor of Regal building.
The idea was to create a place for relaxation for all those movie goers to enjoy coffer there after viewing the movie. According to noted historian and author RV Smith, “ In the early days, English also plays used to be staged in Regal. It used to be the favourite spot for whites living inNew Delhi area”. The restaurant located on the first floor which has windows extending the width of the building.
Seating in the auditorium is located in stalls and a tiny balcony, which is supported by a series of pillars. The space between each pillar contains a private box.
Walter George, who was born and brought up in Manchester, studied at the Royal College of Art, London. It is said for him that he could work in several big and complex projects simultaneously. He wasdesigning perhaps India’s first multi stored residential apartments, Sujan Singh Park and the new building of St.stephans college at a one time in late 30s.While talking about his days in Sujan Singh Park, former ICS officer of 1934 batch, late Badruddin Tyabji once told this writer almost two decades ago, “ Though I have lived in many spacious places since my childhood, I can not forget my days of Sujan Singh Park.
All the residents get sun light in their flats. We had nice garden outside our flats. It was dream to live there.” It is worthwhile to mention here that Mr Badruddin Tyabji was responsible for all the arrangements of first independence day celebrations in capital that took place in both Red fort and later in the evening at National Stadium then known as Irwin stadium. During those days many senior government officials also used to live at Sujan Singh Park.
Said Devinder Gupta,CMD of realty advisory Century 21 India,” As my house is very close to Sujan Singh Park, I see the beautiful building daily and I admire the total facade of it. It is really amazing that it was built in early 40s. It is high time that we acknowledge the contribution of even whites who had done yeoman service for our country.”
According to noted architect J.K. Jain, once the project of making of New Delhi was completed in 1929 and it was officially inaugurated in 1931, most of the talented British architects associated with the building of the new capital started leaving India. Perhaps only Walter George decided to stay on and establish a private practice in Delhi.
“ Like most of his great seniors, he always created space for servant flats in houses. He created this in Sujan Sngh and St.Stephans college. You would also see good space for storage in his creations. There is a clear stamp of his genius on Sujan Singh Park and St.Stephen's college . He exposed red bricks and put the paste of lime and brick dust on them,” Jain concludes, who is also the head of designers arch e-homes.
Walter George was also responsible for establishing the first training facility for architects in North India. The Department of Architecture came into existence as part of the Delhi Polytechnic at Kashmiri Gate in 1942. Later, it became school of planning and architecture. RV Smith rues the fact that there is hardly anybody who talk about the creations of Walter George. It is high time that we remember the role played by outsiders and adopted India as their own.Ends
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