As one enters the Twin Gateways of Mohalla’s of the Vohrawaads, Kapadwanj in Gujarat they are greeted by the century old colonial houses of the Bohras in the vicinity of the Vohrawaads, which reflect a mix style of design of doors and exist in many of the old mansions and houses even today — many restored, while others preserved in its original state. Most of these doors and gateways date back to the 1920s and 1930s made of solid teak, double leaved as they complement the other architectural features of exterior façade like the jharokas (window sitout), columns and interiors of the house in style and details that range from european, colonial to baroque to neo-classic to more regional style of architechture.
The colonial and european style of doorways were designed and detailed with simplest form in geometrical or floral pattern to the more exquisitely carved arched or rectangular framed double leaf door or a lattice doorway some with a tiled border. On the other hand one could observe the regional styled entrances ornately carved with adornments which are typically influenced by the Jain or the Marwari Rajasthani style with multi-foil archway handcrafted in teak often with brass or metal studs and rings. The other style conspicuous was the Indo-Islamic; either with pointed arch or cusped arch adapted for the Mohalla Gateways or mansions with decorative elements bordering it.
Quite a few Bohra houses of yester years with front open or covered otlas or raised porch serving as outdoor sit-outs at entrances had wicket doors, smaller in size with brass circular rods within panels serving as jalis, while many others had twin shutters in teak wood coupled with the main entrance door of the house.
The vintage doors restored are most often painted in tones of contrasting colors to highlight the detailing from architrave to moldings to carved decorative elements supplementing the façade of the house, while others were left in its original state with a coat of varnish or found in its weathered condition. Many traditional doors of houses with heavily carved motifs were cleaned and polished to match the originality while preserving or conservation.
The more contemporary houses which were rebuilt during recent years displayed and incorporated some of the detailing in their design and other features to match the century old heritage houses of Vohrawada and Kapadwanj.
Most of the Bohra houses of the past reflect a style with each individual house portraying its uniqueness by way of details and design.
It’s heartening to see that many from Gujarat are replicating the old style — be it in the state or elsewhere in the country.
(Moayyed Fatehi is an architect, interior designer, and an author)
