How Architect-Artist Masooma Rizvi Breathes Life Into India’s Historic Landscapes

Masooma Rizvi knew she was destined to beautify spaces right when she was a little girl refurbishing her dollhouses. Instead of playing with the toy, she was fascinated by cutting up the walls inside and rearranging the furniture until she had found the perfect visual allure. Fast forward some decades, Rizvi is an esteemed architect, artist, museologist, and entrepreneur breathing life into India’s historic landscapes. Her vision shines through numerous highly-regarded projects like the artwork at the New Parliament Building and Manekshaw Centre, the interiors of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the murals at the recently inaugurated Maharishi Valmiki International Ayodhya Airport, and many more. 

SheThePeople spoke to Masooma Rizvi to learn more about her creative process which has made groundbreaking contributions in preserving the beauty of India. The 55-year-old entrepreneur behind Belita Designs also gave a glimpse into her journey and narrated how she delved into her artistic career.

Masooma Rizvi's Journey Into The Art World

Although hailing from Telangana, Masooma Rizvi’s family travelled extensively across India as her father was an Army officer. She also spent a big part of her life with her grandmother in the United States. “Because we travelled so much back and forth, it was very easy to adjust to different places and mingle with people. And that has really impacted me,” she said, talking about the start of her journey.

Rizvi had a flair for art even as a little girl and knew she wanted to take it up in college. She described, “I feel blessed that I had a calling. I always wanted to paint and beautify things. But when I told my parents I wanted to be an artist, the first thing they said was, ‘But why? You're a good student. You should do science!’ The concept was drummed into you that if you're a good student, you will be a doctor or engineer.”

Rizvi continued, “I was 18 when I met my husband and we grew up together. I got married so early that after marriage, my mother made me promise that I would be economically independent. So we had a deal and I went into science to be more ‘acceptable’ to my parents, but my heart always knew I would go back to architecture or interiors.”

Breaking Into Architecture, Art

When Rizvi finally did get into architecture, the industry was far from welcoming to a young woman. “When I began, I would be asked, ‘Where is the main architect?’ and I had to tell them, "It's me.” And they would not be convinced. While giving presentations, they would look at me like 'What is she saying?' People then could not understand that a young woman could deliver a product other than just kids!" she remarked. However, Rizvi did not let these get in the way of her aspirations.

Every time Rizvi accompanied her father or husband to Army offices or government buildings, she could not help but find them barren. “Whenever I entered these Army offices, they would be so staid. Everything was beige and there was no art,” Rizvi exclaimed. “I decided I want to beautify these spaces. So I started with Army messes, Army museums, and then professionally. Now, every space of mine has art!” she expressed.

Speaking about her experience curating art for prestigious landmarks like the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rizvi described, “When I started, it was Abdul Kalam-ji who was the President of India. He wanted a hut built in Rashtrapati Bhavan and a lot of artists were called in to share their designs. The simplest design, which was the one that I had made, appealed to him the most. So that is how my journey (with government structures) started."

Rizvi expressed, “My idea was to get people from Northeastern India to make an eco-friendly bamboo hut and paint on that. From there I learned how art could be integrated into the building itself. I truly give Abdul Kalam-ji all the credit for everything I am today. He must have known thousands of Masoomas, but for me, there was only one Abdul Kalam.” That was how more high-profile assignments started pouring in, strengthening her self-made journey. 

On Preservation Of Traditional Art

Growing up, Rizvi’s family visited several museums across the world, where she observed the design and technology being used to grab the attention of the visitors. When she started her career as an art curator in India, she integrated all her experiences to give the monuments and museums here a push. “I am so grateful to the India of today, under the leadership of Modiji, for encouraging concepts of museums which are not boring. The government has made it a rule that every building must integrate at least 1% of art into it. I had been fighting for this for a long time so I was thrilled to integrate my artistic vision,” Rizvi exclaimed. 

Speaking about methods to preserve heritage art in today’s world, Rizvi noted the significance of incorporating new-age technology to keep the curiosity of the audience alive. “If we want to preserve our heritage, our stories, and our monuments, we must engage the generations to come and that means things cannot be boring. You have to run with the times. So to push forward our heritage, we have to use interactiveness, we use science, we use AI. Nowadays every museum or monument you go to is interactive. India is on a fast track! We are leaping forward and people are coming here to see what we are doing. After all, we are soon going to become the tech treasure of the world,” Rizvi explained.

Rizvi's vision is not just limited to its aesthetic allure but also the sustainability of cultural heritage. She explained how she went through a life-threatening accident that changed her outlook on her dreams. “My injury changed my entire outlook on life. I was lying in bed for three months and I set a target that I want to change the lives of grassroots artists, especially the women, and ensure that middlemen get removed. I had so much gratitude that God had given me an extension on life, so I decided I'm going to do something for the artists,” she described. Today, Rizvi works with almost 300 traditional artists whose work has contributed tremendously to conserving traditional craftsmanship.

Masooma Rizvi, A Self-made Dreamer

No curveball thrown at Masooma Rizvi was ever able to faze her vision for life. The artist and entrepreneur continues to dream as big as she ever did. She has delivered several inspirational speeches and also went on to pursue a PhD at the age of 50. Throughout the interview with SheThePeople, Rizvi never failed to express a genuine appreciation for everything she has been able to achieve.

“I didn’t make it here because of anyone. I'm a middle-class person. I didn't have any godfather. I am where I am because I always had dreams and dreams don't work if you don't. It is my mantra in life that you have to make your dreams work. First, have a dream. Second, concentrate on that dream. And third, work towards that dream. That’s what I did and nothing is impossible now," Rizvi expressed.