Meena Varma -Paramjot Walia
Lado Sarai is an Art Hub
Three years back, in 2010, Arts of the Earth, a gallery focused on tribal and folk art of India, moved from Hauz Khas village to Lado Sarai. Meena Varma, director of Arts of the Earth feels that her decision to move was right as many followed the suit. She speaks to Paramjot Walia. Paramjot Walia: Why and when did you choose to shift to Lado Sarai?
Meena Varma: Arts of the Earth was established in Lado Sarai three years ago. Lado Sarai seemed the best choice at that time as a major part of the lane was and is occupied by art galleries, albeit contemporary. PW: According to you what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an art gallery in Lado Sarai? MV: As far as Arts of the Earth is concerned, we have an advantage over the other galleries as ours is the only gallery for Indian folk & tribal
art. The disadvantage, I suppose, is that most of the visitors to Lado Sarai come looking for contemporary art and therefore, we do not get that many walk-ins. Also, as opposed to a place, like say Hauz Khas Village, the footfall is far less.

PW: Is it better to be a lone gallery in a poshstreet than be amidst competition in Lado Sarai Street? MV : Speaking broadly, it is definitely better to be amidst competition as clients would rather visit a street with a greater choice of galleries, and therefore, a larger variety of works to choose from, than go to a place with a lone gallery. PW: How does your gallery stand out in this street full of competition? MV: As I mentioned earlier, my gallery is the only gallery exclusively showcasing Indian folk & tribal art. For that matter, so far as I am aware, it’s the only such gallery in Delhi and probably in India. PW: You think Lado Sarai failed to match the popularity of Hauz Khas village? MV : Hauz Khas village became the hub that it is today over a period of 15 – 20 years. The biggest advantage of Hauz Khas is that it has a
mix of outlets – from high end haute couture stores, to jewellery shops, art galleries, furniture shops and restaurants. Therefore, the footfall was greater. Now however, Hauz Khas village has become more of a restaurant and lounge place
and there are very few art galleries left. Lado Sarai is relatively new and still developing. As in Hauz Khas village, I feel Lado Sarai also needs to have a mixture of interesting outlets – like good restaurants, jewellery shops, couturiers etc. with the majority of them remaining to be art galleries- to draw in more visitors.

PW: For you, is Lado Sarai an “Art Hub” or a “failed art experiment”? MV : Lado Sarai is an “Art Hub”. It is a wonderful idea to have a number of art galleries in one place. It has worked in a lot of cities abroad, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t work here. If some of the above suggestions are tried, perhaps Lado Sarai will pick up and truly become popular as The Art Hub of Delhi