IMPRESSION OF BUILT MODERN HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA: An Essay | 2020

An Essay Theory Module II

Shailja Patel International Masters in Interior Architecture Hasselt University

IMPRESSION OF BUILT MODERN HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA: A NEED TO REINVIGORATE THE CULTURAL LEGACY

Fig(1) Le Corbusier with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

Independent India: While the world was under reform post World War II, India was defining itself as an independent free nation during 1947. The struggle of achieving independence wasn’t met without the horrors of riots and massacre leading to the partition of India and Pakistan. The first instated Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru took upon his vision of building a free nation that was modern, ready to face the second of half of the twentieth century, by reinforcing itself with technological and educational advancements. His vision for economic and social development can be summarized in three words: industrialization, modernisation and westernization. Post-independence era in India saw a wave of modernism that brought some of the iconic pieces of modern architecture to the world. It also witnessed the rise of some Indian architects taking lead in shaping up the new free India. Architects in India were aware of the upheaval European art and architecture, the proposals of the Bauhaus, the work of Frank Lloyd Wright in USA and Japan alongside the writings of Le Corbusier in Europe. It was only after independence, were the new ideas absorbed into architectural practices but limited to smaller number of firms.(1)

(1) Lang, J. T. (2002). A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. New Delhi: Pauls Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.in/ books?id=gxyGbhlKQXQC&printsec=frontcover&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

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Fig(2) Le Corbusier with the plan of Chandigarh

To understand the origin of modernism in India it is important to understand the circumstances of architecture and architects both before and after 1947. Jon T Lang in his book A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India, explains the scenario in which he categorizes the process of modernisation in three parts. According to him three sets of architects and architecture concerns here. He explains in the book that, “First, there was the work of the firms whose architecture evolved from a somewhat conservative 1930s outlook towards a Modernist approach. Second, and intellectually allied to those firms, were the Indian architects whose work had grown out of the Art Deco.

Third, and more influentially, there was the work of Indian architects who received their education abroad during the post-Second World War burst of enlightenment thinking. It is this third group which most interesting here because its members set the intellectual pace for Indian architecture during the first three decades of Independence while the other two groups set the scene.” (2) Losing Lahore as the capitol of the state of Punjab

to Pakistan, Nehru’s mission for modern India was mostly witnessed by the redefinition and introduction of Chandigarh city as the new urban ideal. To express ‘Nation’s faith in future’ none of the existing architectural styles of Indo-Saracenic tainted with colonialism or the obsolete ‘Hindu’ style adapted in Bhubaneshwar planning by Otto Königsberger would have been appropriate.(3) Instead, becoming the first country in the world Nehru invited the renowned French architect Le Corbusier providing him an opportunity to give a concrete expression to his theories by planning and designing the capitol of Punjab, Chandigarh.

The early fifties saw the beginning of association of Le Corbusier with India, initially in Chandigarh and then seen in Ahmedabad. Content by the new commission that brought Le Corbusier to realize his principles at a larger scale he recorded his feeling by writing “It is the hour that I have been waiting for - India, that human and profound civilization - to construct a capital. Urbanism is the activity of society. Capital is the spirit of a nation.”(4) It wasn’t long after when the affluent millowners invited Le Corbusier to visit the city of Ahmedabad, also known as the Manchester of East because of

(2) Lang, J. T. (2002). A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. New Delhi: Pauls Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.co.in/ books?id=gxyGbhlKQXQC&printsec=frontcover&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false (3) Metcalf, B. D., & Metcalf, T. R. (2006). A Concise History of Modern India. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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Fig(3) The Palace Assembly, Chandigarh

its flourishing textile industry during the British Raj. This visit led him to contributed some of his most important work to India by designing iconic villas, a museum and a building for business and culture in Ahmedabad. Inarguably it can be said that Le Corbusier’s association with India acted as the biggest catalyst towards governments, industries, institutes, organizations opting to commission architects (mostly the third group defined by Jon T Lang) having similar vision.(2) It was in 1960s the political, bureaucratic and the industrial elite emerged as the major patrons for modern architecture.

Contemporary India: “India’s boom economy is leaving its modern heritage to crumble in favour of generic glass towers and shopping malls.” writes the architectural historian William J.R. Curtis in one of his articles of Architectural Review in 2014. (5)

Fig(4) The Secretariat Building, Chandigarh

To explain the scenario of architecture in contemporary India, there are few occurrences in the recent years that I find are compelling to give a glance at the status of modern heritage today.

(4) Bagha, S. (2019, October 6). Remembering Le Corbusier & His Indian Connection On His 132nd Birth Anniversary. Retrieved from World Architecture: https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/eezhn/remembering-le-corbusier-his-indian-connection-on-his-132nd-birth-anniversary.html (5) Curtis, W. J. (2014). Nothing is Sacred: Threats to Modern Masterpieces in India. Architectural Review.

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Fig(5) CEPT University during a student protest against demolition

An Institution: Having trained under Le Corbusier in Paris, B.V.Doshi designed and started the School of Architecture (CEPT University, today) in 1962 in Ahmedabad India. It is considered to be amongst the radical institutional spaces that were under development in the country in 1960s. School of Architecture, what grew to become a renowned university reputed for its education in architecture since, has recently met with stout criticism from its kin fraternity about its redevelopment and expansion plan for its campus.

The university once serving as an icon, part of the developing modern India, is now under scrutiny for its imposing methods of handling the renovation of the existing buildings nearly threatening to disrespect the language. Alongside renovation, the addition of new buildings feels rather inflicted than infused within its modern historic layers.

In summer of 2016, the renovation started with demolition of a set of buildings which included the iconic canteen building designed (in 2001-02) by Doshi and noted architect and former director of School of Architecture, (CEPT) Kurula Varkey. The act of demolition sparked an outcry amongst its

students, alumni and extended fraternity followed by several open dialogues and public petition that addressed and demanded respectful treatment and restorations towards the ethos and architecture of CEPT. (6) Today the university houses improved and refurbished infrastructure, with micro-level spatial interventions in the existing building to the addition of a new contemporary style library building in front of it. One may relish the upgradation today but it is hard not to deny the loss of belonging that one had before the changes occurred.

A National Fair Ground: Not long after, in 2017 there was another petition in motion, this time not just by one institution, but the architectural fraternity across the country and overseas were appealing to save the emblematic piece of modern architecture: Hall of Nations in New Delhi. A symbolic structure that was built in 1972, an outcome of a dynamic collaboration between architect Raj Rewal and structural engineer Mahindra Raj representing the 25 years of independent India. It was demolished in April the same year. Apart from the dismissal of the Rewal’s petition, a petition moved by INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage)

(6) Petition: Find a way to RESTORE to its original form and treat respectfully the ETHOS and ARCHITECTURE of CEPT. (2015, April 13). Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/pst/az-cf-168249-1428937465 4

Fig(6) Hall of Nations under construction, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

Fig(7) Hall of Nations under construction, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

was never heard by the court. Since the news of demolition of Hall of Nations was made public, several associations across the world including Centre Pompidou in Paris, Museum of Modern Art in New York had written to the government to halt the demolition and instead put a plan in place that addressed its needful restoration. Alas it wasn’t enough. The demolition of Hall of Nations, a piece that represented the country as one, triggered and opened eyes for many who thought that nothing can be touched. The architect was devoid of claiming any legal rights because of the new ruling in February of same year by the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) that only buildings older than 60 years can be protected. The Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) that came up with the redevelopment plan for Pragati Maidan did not want to keep the structure (7) . It also brings to light the indecisiveness and lack of empathy in the responsible government, that even an issue like this which attracted international scale appeal was not even taken into consideration.

To bring light to its architectural excellence, it was an achievement in various different levels, 1) of its construction and its techniques as the project was time bound and such design was never conceived and constructed before this attempt.

(7)Sayer, J. (2017, April 27). India flattens its iconic Hall of Nations building in New Delhi. The Architect’s Newspaper.

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Fig(8) Hall of Nations under construction, 1972, New Delhi

Fig(9) Hall of Nations demolished in 2017, New Delhi

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Fig(10) Kala Academy designed by Charles Correa, Goa

Fig(11) Kala Academy designed by Charles Correa, Goa

A Cultural Public Space: Since August of 2019, yet another piece of built heritage of 1970, Kala Academy designed by Charles Correa is under threat of demolition by the state government of Goa.(8) Charles Correa was one such architect whose work immensely resonated with the regional notions of India. His attempts to create a modern regional language for India were successfully appreciated and accepted by the mass. He has explored the expression of modernism keeping in mind the context, the climate and the culture, he explored his principles from the scale of affordable public housing schemes, urban planning proposals for city of Bombay to cultural spaces in public domain across India. Kala Academy, a prominent cultural centre in Panjim, has been successfully functioning over the years hosting events celebrating the unity of its culture.

The academy sits on the bank of Mandovi River with attractive lush green front separating it from the busy moving traffic. The human scale that can be widely experienced in architecture of Charles Correa, here culminates to address both formal and the informal sides of culture into public domain. The building allows people to spatially transit towards the river by passing through sets of courtyards

(8) Veigas, J. (2019, August 15). Architecture for Humans — Why Kala Academy Should not be taken down. Retrieved from Medium: https://medium. com/@janiceviegas7/architecture-for-humans-why-kala-academy-should-not-be-taken-down-ca93e5a31b31

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Fig(12) River side facade of Kala Academy, Goa

that defines these various formalities. It is ironic to see that even the most functioning spaces are under threat because of lack of understanding and importance of modern heritage. At present, there is no clarity given by the state government on their decision of demolition nor any leads on their plan of its post demolition or its redevelopment.

A Need to Respect, Restore and Reinvigorate Remarks by William J.R. Curtis: “Even so, there are numerous historical sites which remain unprotected. India possesses a vast artistic and architectural patrimony but nothing like enough is being done to look after it. Many of the museums in the country are in a disgraceful state. Now that there is considerable wealth in some sectors of the society there is no excuse for such neglect. In a situation where masterpieces of tenth century sculpture are left languishing in underfunded and semi abandoned provincial museums, it is scarcely surprising that public consciousness is so little attuned to the long-term value of recent buildings of quality.”(9)

Economic and Political: Having read that the nation over the years of its development has seen several political, economic, social and religious crises that has time and again proven harmful to it’s built environment.

The controversial chapter of the tearing down of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya is a piece of memory so contentious that till date it is used an example to inflict religious differences amongst people. The act of demolition in contemporary present speaks more about power and dominance than discussing the possibility of a new creation. The set of the three examples discussed are programmatically different from each other, thereby it addresses that it isn’t only limited to one habitat or one building but rather it’s a pattern of disarrayed decisions by the bodies in power that puts all of them at risk. In current circumstances, the threats come from the uncontrolled profiteering, land speculation and price rise of real estate infused with political corruption.(10) For e.g. the 600 acres of textile mill land, in central Mumbai led to one of the worst rapid development the city has ever seen. It resulted into the massive demolition of the industrial heritage of Bombay province which flourished during British Raj. There is a definite loss

(9) Curtis, W. J. (2014). Nothing is Sacred: Threats to Modern Masterpieces in India. Architectural Review.

(10) Curtis, W. J. (2014). Protecting Modern Masterpieces in India. (Unknown, Interviewer) Retrieved from ThinkMatter: https://thinkmatter.in/2014/09/17/ protecting-modern-masterpieces-in-india/ 8

Fig(13) ATIRA by Achyut Kanvinde, 1954, Ahmedabad

of translation that occurs between what is needed versus what is wanted, that is the governmental body’s vision in the name of development and giving back people a better environment to flourish in, as seen in cases like Hall of Nations. Over the years the political scenario across India has been so controversial that essential development only occurs for the sake of making profit. In lieu of that, we forgot to appreciate the diversity in culture and its legacy which as a nation we are known of in the world.

Societal: The trouble with the idea of legacy is that in India, people are staunchly habituated to the patriarchal notion of legacy, that it is nothing beyond what has been passed to them in generations. That legacy is only limited to the habitat they are involved in.

It also highlights the materialistic side of Indian culture. There is a collective lack of understanding of what cultural legacy means. This perception triggers the difficulty of acceptance for bringing in change but still maintaining the essence of the original. Instead of evolving in time there’s a

certain rigidness which grows stronger day by day fuelled by conflicts, communalism, consumerism of everyday life thereby creating a rather conservative environment in contemporary time. One can say that spiritual and cultural values does not count much in the society that is driven by consumerist and materialist approach.

The state of modern architecture across India today is in a state that we cannot take pride in.

The only way ahead is to identify them as heritage and develop strategies for restoring it. When it comes to twentieth century the term ‘architectural heritage’ hardly exists in both Indian legislative and mentalities. The approach to protect a building as monument can rather be seen biased when compared chronologically to the twentieth century.

William J.R. Curtis further states in his article that, “In contemporary India nothing is sacred (even historical sites and museums are left to go to pot). In the age of greed and privatisation the public realm is wrecked and the idealism of the founding fathers is undermined. Historical and cultural memory matter less and less: today it is the price of everything and the value of nothing.”(11)

(11) Curtis, W. J. (2014). Protecting Modern Masterpieces in India. (Unknown, Interviewer) Retrieved from ThinkMatter: https://thinkmatter.in/2014/09/17/ protecting-modern-masterpieces-in-india/ 9

Fig(14) Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad by Louis Kahn, 1974

It is ironic that in a country where people are prone to associate the word ‘sacred’ so easily to any living and non-living object, fail to relate to one of the most important aspect: the built environment and its cultural legacies.

Juxtaposing these occurrences together, one cannot help but notice the dire need of actions to protect, to dignify, to preserve and to reinvigorate the modern buildings in time. It needs an obligatory response needed from the conservation bodies to take under consideration and broaden the concept of heritage by not limiting themselves chronologically. There also requires a formal legislative response from the government of India that officially identifies and documents the structures by giving them the status of legacy.

After all modern heritage is that piece of history, which represents our nation as a free country, secular country, and hence needs to be respected in a way that can carry forward our culture while evolving in the process.

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Bibiliography A part of Kala Academy Goa to be demolished soon, Charles Correa Foundation objects. (n.d.). Retrieved from Architecture Live: https:// architecturelive.in/charles-correa-foundation-objects-to-thedemolition-of-a-part-of-of-kala-academy-goa/ An appeal to save the Hall of Nations, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

(2013, December 23). Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https:// architexturez.net/pst/az-cf-123586-1387799975 Ashton, I. (2016, August 7). Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh government buildings captured in new images by Benjamin Hosking. Retrieved from Dezeen: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/07/le-corbusier-capitolcomplex-unesco-world-heritage-listing-chandigarh-india-benjaminhosking/ B.K, Tanuja, & Sanjay, K. (n.d.). Achyut Kanvinde Chronology of Works.

Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/doc/ az-cf-182208 Bagha, S. (2019, October 6). Remembering Le Corbusier & His Indian Connection On His 132nd Birth Anniversary. Retrieved from World Architecture: https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/eezhn/ remembering-le-corbusier-his-indian-connection-on-his-132nd-birthanniversary.html Chatterjee, M. (n.d.). I. 1947 – 1959: Options after Independence, the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Architecture. Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-123837 Chatterjee, M. (n.d.). II: 1960 – 1974: The Journey Back from Chandigarh, the Evolution of Contemporary Indian Architecture. Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-123838

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Curtis, W. J. (1982). Modern Architecture Since 1900. Oxford: Phaidon Press Limited.

List of Figures

Curtis, W. J. (2014). Nothing is Sacred: Threats to Modern Masterpieces in India. Architectural Review.

Fig(1), Fig(2): Bagha, S. (2019, October 6). Remembering Le Corbusier & His Indian Connection On His 132nd Birth Anniversary. Retrieved from World Architecture: https://worldarchitecture.org/article-links/eezhn/ remembering-le-corbusier-his-indian-connection-on-his-132nd-birthanniversary.html

Curtis, W. J. (2014). Protecting Modern Masterpieces in India. (Unknown, Interviewer) Retrieved from ThinkMatter: https://thinkmatter. in/2014/09/17/protecting-modern-masterpieces-in-india/ Demolition of CEPT buildings sparks social media outcry. (2016, June 28). Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/ pst/az-cf-179420-1467089878 Kala Academy. (2019, August 20). Retrieved from CCF Charles Correa Foundation: https://charlescorreafoundation.org/category/kalaacademy/ Lang, J. T. (2002). A Concise History of Modern Architecture in India. New Delhi: Pauls Press. Retrieved from https://books.google. c o . i n / b o o k s ? i d = g x y G b h l KQXQ C & p r i n t s e c = f ro n t c o v e r & re d i r _ esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false Metcalf, B. D., & Metcalf, T. R. (2006). A Concise History of Modern India. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Modern Heritage: Listing. (n.d.). Retrieved from ThinkMatter: https:// thinkmatter.in/2018/12/18/modernheritage/ Neue Nationalgalerie refurbishment by David Chipperfield Architects.

(2018, September 18). Retrieved from aasarchitecture: https:// aasarchitecture.com/2018/09/neue-nationalgalerie-refurbishment-bydavid-chipperfield-architects.html/ Pepchinski, M. (2018, October 31). David Chipperfield Architects Berlin Completes Second Phase of Neue Nationalgalerie Renovation.

Retrieved from Architectural Record: https://www.architecturalrecord. com/articles/13744-david-chipperfield-architects-berlin-completessecond-phase-of-neue-nationalgalerie-renovation Petition: Find a way to RESTORE to its original form and treat respectfully the ETHOS and ARCHITECTURE of CEPT. (2015, April 13).

Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/pst/ az-cf-168249-1428937465 Rewal, R., & Raj, M. (2017, October 27). One year of demolition Remembering the iconic Hall of Nations. Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-187118 Rewal, R., & Raj, M. (n.d.). Halls of Nations and Industries under construction. Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https:// architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-181543 Sayer, J. (2017, April 27). India flattens its iconic Hall of Nations building in New Delhi. The Architect’s Newspaper.

Fig(3), Fig(4): Ashton, I. (2016, August 7). Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh government buildings captured in new images by Benjamin Hosking. Retrieved from Dezeen: https://www.dezeen.com/2016/08/07/le-corbusier-capitolcomplex-unesco-world-heritage-listing-chandigarh-india-benjaminhosking/ Fig(5): Petition: Find a way to RESTORE to its original form and treat respectfully the ETHOS and ARCHITECTURE of CEPT. (2015, April 13).

Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https://architexturez.net/pst/ az-cf-168249-1428937465 Fig(6), Fig(7), Fig(8): Rewal, R., & Raj, M. (n.d.). Halls of Nations and Industries under construction. Retrieved from Architexturez South Asia: https:// architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-181543 Fig(9): Mathur, M. (n.d.). The Hall of Nations demolished – Manoj Mathur shares what went wrong and what can be done in the future. Retrieved from Architecture Live: Fig(10): Veigas, J. (2019, August 15). Architecture for Humans — Why Kala Academy Should not be taken down. Retrieved from Medium: https:// medium.com/@janiceviegas7/architecture-for-humans-why-kalaacademy-should-not-be-taken-down-ca93e5a31b31 Fig(11), Fig(12): Silveira, L. (2019, August 14). Why the Kala Academy is so Important.

Retrieved from The Balcao: https://thebalcao.com/why-the-kalaacademy-is-so-important/ Fig(13): Louis Kahn’s Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad Photographed by Laurian Ghinitoiu. (n.d.). Retrieved from ArchDaily: https://www.archdaily.com/805720/louis-kahns-indian-institute-ofmanagement-in-ahmadabad-photographed-by-laurian-ghinitoiu?ad_ medium=gallery Fig(14): Ahmedabad Textile Industry. (2018, February 8). Retrieved from WikiCottonInfo: https://wikicottoninfo.blogspot.com/2018/02/ ahmedabad-textile-industry.html

Silveira, L. (2019, August 14). Why the Kala Academy is so Important.

Retrieved from The Balcao: https://thebalcao.com/why-the-kalaacademy-is-so-important/ Tayyibji, R. (2020). IIT Delhi A Modernist Case Study. Retrieved from Academia: https://www.academia.edu/42243617/IIT_DELHI_A_ MODERNIST_CASE_STUDY Veigas, J. (2019, August 15). Architecture for Humans — Why Kala Academy Should not be taken down. Retrieved from Medium: https:// medium.com/@janiceviegas7/architecture-for-humans-why-kalaacademy-should-not-be-taken-down-ca93e5a31b31 Williamson, D. (2016). Modern Architecture and Capitalist Patronage in Ahmedabad, India 1947-1969. New York University, Institute of Fine Arts, New York.

Shailja Patel | April 2020 | Hasselt University 11