Entering Rajeev Sethi’s home is like stepping into a time capsule and being instantly transported to another world. It’s a potpourri of an amazing array of arts and crafts and vintage furniture, some of which were bought by his parents some 70 years ago. Besides family heirlooms, there are manuscripts dating back to the 14th century. 

Sethi is a noted designer, scenographer and art curator and his home reflects his artistic personality (he has also received the Padma Bhushan). “A home is where the memories reside. It’s about associations and the bonds with your loved ones,” says Sethi while playing with Puchi, one of the four dogs that he’s adopted off the streets. His home is a sprawling 1,200sqyd bungalow in Delhi’s Mehrauli where he lives with his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. 
 

In an age when space is at a premium and high-rises are the order of the day, Sethi’s home is single-storeyed, has three spacious bedrooms and expansive, well-manicured lawns. A plant-lined path leads to the vibrant entrance that is painted in bright orange and yellow. 

Visitors may feel almost swamped by the greenery as there’s a large garden on one side of the walkway. And when the lights come on in the evening, the area is washed with a bright orange and yellow glow. 

In keeping with the mood of a traditional Indian home, a well-cared for tulsi plant with the mandatory oil lamp greets you outside. There’s a story behind the planter. “The planter in which the tulsi is growing has actually been built with foundation bricks from my mother’s home,” he says lighting the lamp. “Since I’m renovating my mother’s house in Delhi, I wanted to bring a part of the house where I grew up into my home. That way I will stay connected to my roots,” he says.

A huge mural on the entrance wall looks eye-catching. “This is a section of the mural that I did for Mumbai airport,” says Sethi. 
 

Antiques are everywhere — even at the entrance. His mother’s antique almirah and father’s gleaming study table and chair have been proudly displayed in the passage leading to the living room. “These hold a special place in my heart,” says Sethi. A paper lamp by American artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi sits by the study table and lends a warm tone to the space.   

The passage is also decorated with a huge glass artwork by the famous English sculptor Andrew Logan. The painting on the glass depicts Sethi’s family, his sisters and dogs. “It’s about 12 years old and aptly sums up the fact that my family is the centre of my universe,” says Sethi. 

The passage opens into an elegant living room that extends into the dining space at the other end. A door opens into the porch. The artsy leitmotif of the house is carried forward to this sit-out as well with papier-mâché sculptures by Chandrakala Devi, a renowned artist from Mithila. 

The living room is a study in heirlooms, artefacts and curios gathered from across the world. Low-seating antique furniture bought by his parents several years ago adds a warm touch to the room. A Chinese fruit basket that Sethi picked up years ago sits underneath the centre table. The artist loves colours and so the colour palette of the house is high on brights. While the walls of the living area are clad in colourful hand-made paper, the bedrooms are painted in hues of orange and bright yellow. 
 

Sethi has used the space available to him to the optimum. For example, a wall-mounted curio cabinet behind the couch saves a lot of space and showcases a whole range of mini bronze sculptures, curios and artifacts that Sethi has collected over the years. 

Several interesting artefacts displayed on the walls vie for attention like a bronze Islamic figure of ‘panja’, a religious flag of Islam, and a big bronze gong that Sethi picked up from Andhra Pradesh. “I can’t remember where I got it from but I ring the gong every time my family gets late for dinner,” he laughs. 

An abstract painting by Sethi adorns a wall in the dining area. “It depicts my family including my sisters,” he says fondly gazing at the painting. 

Making the best use of space, yet again, Sethi has transformed a small space beyond the dining area into a ‘tea-time corner’. It’s a cosy space that’s strewn with his parents’ vintage chairs, Kashmiri samovars (traditional tea kettles) and a glass cabinet that holds a unique collection of teapots from across the world.

Sethi’s bedroom is situated on the left of the living area. Colourful handloom textiles from Andhra Pradesh have been used to cover the walls. Kalpasutras or the Jain text containing the biographies of the Jain Tirthankaras have been framed and displayed on the walls. The fabric-clad walls make all the difference in transforming a simple room into a head-turner. A king-size bed, a study table and a small worship room complete the picture.  

Past the worship area a small annexure stores Sethi’s artworks and his portrait by ace artist Manjit Bawa. Also, not to be missed is the Vietnamese hat that hangs right above the bedroom door. 

His son’s bedroom that is just across his own extends into a small den for the children. “I thought of giving them their own little space,” says Sethi. The den in turn opens into the back garden. The children’s room and the kitchen lie across the bedrooms. 

There are two servant quarters and a beautiful garden at the back of the house where Sethi grows bananas and chillies. 

Sethi’s collectibles spill into the bedrooms too. “I have gifted my daughter in-law a series of grihastha (family-life) bronze sculptures that stand on a wall-mounted display-rack. I also have a couple of bronze warriors that I’ve placed in my grandchildren’s room,” says Sethi. A collection of bronze hair accessories that belonged to Sethi’s mother now adorn the dressing area of his son’s room. A collection of souvenirs gifted to Sethi by Andrew Logan has been framed and displayed on a wall. This adds a vibrant splash of colour in the space. 

A place that’s in sync with his emotions and his aesthetic sense, Sethi’s home is where he finds solace and the way back to his roots.

Photographs by Jagan Negi