Introduction
Growing up in Varanasi, Kolkata and Darjeeling, I was surrounded by stunning sights, different cultures and beautiful landscapes. There was a lot to take in: the Ghats and Galees (lanes) of Varanasi, colonial-style architecture of Kolkata, the joyous festival of Durga Puja, and the beautiful views of the Kangchenjunga from my school dormitory in Darjeeling. I was attracted to the visuals. Later, as a design student in college, I realised that it were the shapes that I was drawn to, the structures and the whole process of creating something, that I loved.
My passion for geometry came naturally and only grew through the years. As a designer, I applied geometry in many forms, from typography to graphic design. But one thing that remained with me, were the patterns across Indian architecture and monuments. I fell in love with the doors of Rajasthan during my initial trips in 2010 and started documenting them. Ten years and many visits later, here’s a collection of doors from Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and beyond. Each door is an ode to the craftspeople of India and the art of making.
​
Architecture in Rajasthan predominantly follows the Maru-Gurjara style that has developed in regions around Rajasthan and Gujarat. The foundation of this style lies in the Rajput school of architectural design, which is a combination of Hindu and Mughal building styles. Between the 1830s and 1930s, the Marwaris (a community that originates from Rajasthan) established enormous properties called ‘Havelis’ throughout the Shekhawati and Marwar areas. These havelis were lavishly decorated with murals and enclosed by one massive entry gate. The ornate gates offered security, comfort and a glimpse of the stories that would unfold within the haveli. It was the Sutar community (The Carpenters) that crafted the magic through woodwork and textures.
​
***
Imagine having a door that the world recognises. From the spectacular doors in Rajasthan, India to thecolourful Victorian doors of Notting Hill, London, I believe doors are the face of one’s home. Welcome to my curated collection of doors that will leave an impression long after you’ve finished reading.
​
​
BOOK Preview
Author
Himanshu Lakhwani is a Creative Director and a Photographer and based in Mumbai, India. With a passion for details and the unusual, he loves creating innovative and intuitive designs across a wide range of media.
Growing up in Varanasi, Kolkata and Darjeeling, Himanshu was surrounded by stunning sights, and his photographs captures the striking details and unusual qualities of subjects. His love for minimal design translates into visuals with clean lines and strong compositions. Himanshu approaches assignments with focus and loves collaborating with people to discover new ways of storytelling. When he’s not behind the camera, he can be found working on identity systems at Truetype, a design agency founded by him. Previously he was the Art Director of Condé Nast Traveller India magazine.
Himanshu’s work has been published in multiple magazines around the world. His clients include Google, The Telegraph, Condé Nast Traveller India, Architectural Digest, Travel and Leisure, US, Soho House Mumbai, Michael Page Singapore, among others.
