Hyderabad, April 29 -- Unlike the snazzier medieval historic structures, Art Deco buildings, constructed between the 1930s and 50s (mostly) in Hyderabad, are hidden in plain sight. Many would not have even guessed that the state Governor's residence, or Raj Bhavan, is in fact also a structure that has been designed in Art Deco architecture.

The revelation of the Raj Bhavan's design came to light on no other day but the landmark date of April 19, when exactly 100 years ago Art Deco architecture, or at least the designs that gave birth to it, were on display at the L'exposition internationale des arts decoratifs et industriels modernes' (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts) in Paris.

The Paris exhibition show...