Cities talk, frown, smile, laugh, wail, and rejoice, but their expressions can only be felt by those who care. A distinct culture and history characterize my host city. In his recently released book, The Indian Village: Rural Lives in the 21st Century, Surinder Singh Jodhka argues that the fates of rural and urban are intimately linked. While rural is seen as a backward countryside and urban a symbol of progress, the reality is juxtaposed in layers. Unearthing the contrasts is the key job description of any urban practitioner. The city of Pearls is welcoming and accommodating. Any urban space is a place for the revitalization of social thoughts. Public spaces are considered an extension of the community and help citizens build better relationships. It is the key factor affecting human behaviours.
Born and raised in a remote pastoral hamlet in a frontier district in the Himalayan territory of Kashmir, I have worked in major metropolitan cities and am always curious to know how the open spaces shape the urban. Back home, “Paend” (a Kashmiri word) is an informal space meant for social gatherings. In a city of skyscrapers, where do people meet and socialize? The address in Hyderabad is Lamakaan, in Arabic, “a house without boundaries.”
Every society needs open spaces like Lamakaan. This beautiful structure is a place of relaxation, rejuvenation, and revitalization. It is populated to discuss, debate, express, and experiment. For people seeking critical and aesthetic expression, Lamakaan is the host. I found meaning and method in this house. It is like a big living room where everyone is welcome. While sipping endless cups of tasty tea, creative minds discuss how cities can be reimagined. In a vast metropolis, this den of intelligentsia hosts talk shows, storytelling sessions short-film screenings, etc. Unlike crony capitalist cafés, this space is budget-friendly for commoners.
Lamakaan was established as a cultural centre in 2010. It is the only open cultural space available in Hyderabad. People come here to relax, talk to strangers, make new friends, just socialize, and build their social and professional networks. The lively ambiance with large seating arrangements has people sitting here for hours and adding value to the conversations happening here. There is no surveillance. No one dares to poke or interrupt you if you are engaged in an event and just working on your project. Not far from bustling bazaars and chaotic cityscapes, peace, and tranquillity envelope Lamakaan.
You are not lonely if you are alone at Lamakaan. That is a promise. You are joined by like-minded fellow(s). People come as strangers and leave as best friends. At Lamakaan, you live, learn, eat, and have a chit-chat. Lamakaan is the lung of the city. People come here to breathe and take a break.
Strangers strike conversations and nourish ideas to create an impact on the community. Start-up Saturdays was one such concept born here. What was the impact? It engineered a new impetus for young entrepreneurs to establish their ventures, create jobs for people and empower marginalized communities. Annually around 600 events happen in this small house. This place is not meant for personal (lavish) parties. No government or corporate donations are accepted. Lamakaan reserves the right to make the person exit the place if s/he doesn’t adhere to the guidelines.
No status or social signalling happens here. Everybody is treated equally the way our Constitution guarantees us. Lamakaan organizes Itwaar Bazaar (Sunday Market). It is a concept that helps vendors put their organic produce on sale; local cuisines cooked at home are always in demand. This activity is intended to support local communities in preserving their culture and food.
Wednesday evenings are mostly for film club. Dedicated cinephiles come for short film or documentary screenings. They appreciate the art and craft of cinema. That doesn’t happen while binge-watching the movie, sitting on a couch having popcorn. Socialization happens when you meet new people.
Lamakaan provides voice to the voiceless. It is a deliberate decision to give space to highly marginalized communities like LGBTQIA+. In this equal-opportunity-free space, they held Pride Parades and Rainbow Talks. The congenial atmosphere at Lamakaan allows us to talk about culture, career and collaboration. Social re-engineering happens here. Visitors find people with the same passions, interests, and hobbies.
Every program is passed through an in-house curator. There are no VIP rules. Lamakaan takes a break every Monday. It doesn’t allow the sale of any material on its premises. All the events have to be open to all. The events can’t be invite-only. Lamakaan strongly discourages food wastage. The walls of the Hall of fame are adorned with the achievements and awards it earned so far.If you are here, follow certain in-house rules: It is not legal to smoke or consume alcohol within the premises. The thumb rule is that you return the cups and plates to the kitchen once done. You serve yourself. The concept of “order” dies at the doors of Lamakaan.
The capital of India’s youngest state is India’s second surveilled city but Lamakaan stands firm in respecting dissenting voices and strongly believes that dissent is the soul of democracy. Moyed Hassan, a scientist, and a shutterbug dedicated this personal property to the greater good. This art lover died of cancer and the doors of his house continue to be open to the public. The sleepy old bungalow has been transformed into a potpourri of dialogue, discussion and debate. This popular knowledge hub quenches the thirst of creative minds. Hyderabad’s iconic cultural melting pot was started in 2010 by the Fantastic (Four) Friends Ashhar Farhan, Humera Ahmed, Elahe Hiptoola and Biju Matthew as a co-working space.
Lamakaan is serious about being inclusive, liberal, and eco-friendly. It is a democratic, progressive, critical, public space that encourages scientific temper. Lamakaan provides a platform for people to showcase their talent to the right audience in music, art, theatre, etc. The place runs on donations but has a self-sustaining canteen which sustains the staff salaries. Lamakaan is fully equipped and prepared for every cultural activity. It is a place where minds get together, ideas are cultivated and art is expressed.
Open public spaces in cities are like oases in the concrete jungle, offering vital benefits for both the environment and the people who live in them. Protecting these spaces is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of urban communities. Such spaces are becoming a rare commodity and should be preserved to facilitate the exchange of ideas.
On a parting note, what arrested my attention is that people keep their shoes and ego outside the premises of Lamakaan. It has that divine feeling which can only be transcribed from the velvety voice of Abida Parveen, the princess of Sufi music, in this soulful but timeless couplet:
ham ko yaañ dar dar phirāyā yaar ne
lā-makāñ meiñ ghar banāyā yaar ne
(I played hide and seek to find my beloved, but his abode is boundless).
