Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

100 Years of the Art Deco Style in Madras

Why in the News?

The Art Deco style, first showcased at the Paris Exposition on April 29, 1925, took a decade to arrive in Madras. It spread to India via Bombay, where the country’s first Art Deco structure — the Syndicate Bank building — was completed in 1932.

About Art Deco Style of Architecture:

  • Art Deco Style is a design style that emerged in the 1920s and 30s, characterized by sleek, geometric shapes, luxurious materials, and a focus on manufactured goods.
  • It signified a break from older styles like Neo-classical, Indo-Saracenic, and Bombay Gothic.
  • The style was embraced by Indian banks, insurance companies, cinemas, studios, and business houses to symbolize modernity and cultural identity.
  • In Madras, Art Deco became visible in cinema theatres like Casino (1941), preview halls of Gemini, AVM, and Vijaya-Vauhini studios, commercial buildings like Dare House (1938), hotels such as Oceanic and Dasaprakash, and residential areas including T. Nagar, Mylapore, Alwarpet, and Adyar.
  • Art Deco influenced furniture design, silverware, and even fonts in print.
  • By the 1950s, it was gradually replaced by Modernist/Brutalist styles, aligned with Socialist ideology.

Contributions of Laxman Mahadeo Chitale:

  • Chitale (1892–1960) was a prominent architect who introduced Art Deco to Madras.
  • Recognized for his drawing skills by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III of Baroda.
  • He trained under H.V. Lanchester, a British architect associated with New Delhi‘s early planning.
  • He worked on the Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur, a grand Art Deco residence.
  • After returning from England, Chitale settled in Madras and joined the PWD.
  • In 1932, he started his independent practice, marking the beginning of Art Deco architecture in the city.
  • His major works included the Oriental Insurance Building on Armenian Street, the National Insurance Building (1938) on China Bazaar Road, and the Andhra Insurance Building (1939).
  • His architectural style often included corner entrances and street-facing facades, inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
[UPSC 2007] Which one of the following was the first fort constructed by the British in India?

Options: (a) Fort William (b) Fort St. George* (c) Fort St. David (d) Fort St. Angelo

 

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship - May Batch Starts
💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship - May Batch Starts