myself from the influence of Walter Gropius and Oscar Niemeyer. This building belonged to India. Here I used traditional Indian elements such as chhajjas, jaalis and overhanging roofs. It was the first functional building that gave me aesthetic satisfaction. Maybe it was Rabindranath’s artistic genius that inspired me to give an emotionally moving quality to the building.” With Rabindra Bhawan, Rahman moved out of the Bauhaus style and its severe rationalist mould. Instead he created an interconnected structure free from Gropius’s box shapes and the Bauhaus Factory aesthetics. The most striking feature of the building is the two continuous rows of angled sun shades in reinforced concrete that runs parallel over the window, projecting two feet beyond the façade walls on all sides. This transforms version of chhajjas very pleasantly served the propose sun breaker, an Indian articulation of overhang opposite to western vertical louvers. Though the use of brick as cladding and random stone masonry in the administration block makes it heavy in appearance, the earthy and natural colors of both the materials generates the effect of perfect blend of a building in nature. The concrete dome above the central core of three wings and concrete vault of above the foyer of theater compliments the combination of using traditional element of architecture with modern material of construction. The play of light in exhibition gallery creates a structure with the manifestation of a monument that is complimenting the heavy structure of administration block without overemphasizing its identity. Articulation of different jaalis, arched walk way and other building elements creates a perfect juxtaposition of different materials and technique, serving area fine example of romanticized modernism.
103.d Entrance Porch of the Administration Block.
103.e Book shop of the Sahitya Academy.
103.a First floor of the Exhibition Gallery.
103.b First floor of the Exhibition Gallery.
103.c Jaali pattern of the Administration Block.
103.1 Different jaali details of the Rabindra Bhawan. 103