The teeming roads near the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi skirt some of the most historic neighbourhoods and homes in the city. Dadabhoy Nauroji Road (commemorating this stalwart personality of the Independence Movement), is a broad thoroughfare plied by fast moving traffic. It is all too easy to overlook some gems that have survived on this street. We made our way to one such; a beautiful colonial period bungalow. The residence is obscured from the road by towering old trees, sheltering it from the prying eyes of casual passer’s by or avaricious developers.
Stepping Back in Time
The large gate swung open to allow us in and we were ushered into a cool paved area, completely canopied by the mammoth trees over head. Under this benevolent awning stands a pale yellow structure built in the Anglo-vernacular style. Embellished with thick plaster columns, ubiquitous balconies and art deco windows, we felt we had strayed into a sun-dappled movie set. Or indeed, stepped back in time. The magnificent trees filled the space with shade and birdsong, shutting out the modern bustle and clamour right outside.
The structure rises around a central courtyard which has steps leading up to the second floor. The second floor boasts tiled passages and rooms with pleasing coloured glass-paned art deco windows. The rooms open into a large pillared balcony which sits atop the front facade of the house. The surrounding trees spill their foliage into this delightful space, making the air pleasant even on a scorching summer day.
The house belongs to Saqib Malik, renowned film maker who has countless ad films, music videos and the feature film ‘Baji’ (starring the inimitable Meera) to his credit. Although the house has been in Saqib’s family for many years, it is unoccupied at present. And although he doesn’t live there, the residence is nevertheless very close to the owner’s heart. Saqib spoke to us about his passion project.
How old is this house?
It is a pre-partition structure built in the 1930s and my maternal grandfather purchased it in the fifties. But he never lived here; it was always rented out.
So how did you come to acquire this house?
It was passed down in the family within my maternal family and then some time in the 2003-4, they wanted to sell it. I didn’t want to see it being torn down and another ugly plaza rearing its head instead, so I offered to buy it.
What was the condition of the house then?
It was in severe disrepair and falling apart. A massive restoration job was needed to repair everything from the flooring to the windows and courtyard. It was a huge and very expensive project but I wanted to save the house and keep it standing as a representative of its era.
So this was really a labour of love for you?
It really was; it’s not easy to restore an old building. The house next door to this one was being torn down and we acquired those doors and windows for my house. The old balconies were repaired and some were added on, the spiral staircase was retrieved from an old house in Hyderabad that was torn down… to list a few things.
There are a lot of beautiful coloured glass windows. Are those original?
I would say eighty percent of the glass is original. Some pieces broke during restoration and that was replaced.
The picturesque courtyard is really the centre of the house. But it didn’t always look like this?
The courtyard was completely re-constructed, the flooring was replaced, the fountain added and steps and balconies built on one side.
What about the antique chandeliers ? Were those always here?
No they were not. I searched for appropriate pieces and added them. Most are from old Parsi homes. In fact, two of the more grand chandeliers are rumoured to have been gifted to the original owners by the Shah of Iran!
Did you ever furnish the house?
I added plants and the jhoola in the courtyard. Then I bought some old furniture to furnish a few rooms. I filmed some of my own projects here… But my driving motive was always to maintain this piece of the city’s heritage.
And what do you plan to do with it in the future?
I hope to maintain it as long as I can and, eventually, I suppose I will hand it over to an organization which can preserve the house and keep our architectural legacy alive.
Photos by Naeema Kapadia
