In the Gita, one of the most influential treatises in eastern philosophy, spoke by Lord Krishna to his disciple Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, he explains, in multiple metaphors the basic essence that the only constant to life and civilization is changing; wisdom also explicitly found in the writings of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus.
From this time of mythological history right up to the contemporary, civilization has changed, grown and evolved multiple times over constantly refining itself based on needs and relevance. The most visible and physical of these manifestations is the utilization of space and built form - the architecture, the stories of which are well recorded in our history books.
The stories of lore have a way of radiating wisdom that continues to resonate generations and centuries later. As it goes, a king once hosted a grand party to celebrate his birthday inviting the crème de la crème of his kingdom. Enthused with all the glimmering praises and gifts, a gift with just a piece of paper mentioning ‘this too shall pass’ brought him much vexation and he ordered the bearer to be imprisoned. A turn of fate and he found himself imprisoned after an attack by the neighboring enemy, this very same message now bringing him solace. Upon a victory by his military and return to the throne, he asked for this bearer to be his Councilor understanding the nature of impermanence.
UNDERSTANDING TRADITIONALISM AND MODERNITY-
At the turn of every era, right when civilization has been thought to be stable and its architecture is driven to a sense of monotony, revolutions have arisen as a retort, aiming to break this streak in the form of scientific breakthroughs, construction advancements, artistic movements, cultural and ideological changes, thus bringing about a shift in architectural understanding. In the process of practice, these new ideas become the norm only to yet again be challenged. In the quest for stability, with an aversion to change, the norm of the time is thought to be as established, gaining cultural significance.
ARCHITECTURE AND BELIEF-
Architecture is one of the art forms which goes side by side with culture, religion or beliefs. Belief has the power to build spaces like temples to massive pyramids of Egypt. But humans have come beyond in Time and understand that there is a constant change in human beliefs and needs. Over time human’s are going forward with the baggage of tradition and they have to understand this baggage is of no need. The essence of traditionalism still can be achieved with modern technology and our evolved understanding. The essence of Indian traditionalism is beyond any form of structure or motifs, rather it’s their concepts and philosophy which are important which governs the traditional aspects of any architecture.
From Ancient temples to Lotus temple, Ancient churches to the church of Light, Pagoda to the Hill of buddha architecture has proved that in the modern era with new technology material and being conscious about the context, architecture can achieve the same traditional sacredness of the temple.
CUSP OF MODERNITY-
Humans are just privileged enough to accommodate themselves in the desired space. We are just evolved animals, struggling to understand what we need, what we want. And the basic role of architecture is to accommodate a space for a function.
Since the oldest Indus valley civilization to the current contemporary architecture, Indian has seen many transitions of architecture and culture, from Mughals to British colonial architecture to post-independent architecture to the present contemporary architecture. Architects like B. V Doshi, Charles chorea, Raj Rewal, Laurie baker had achieved the common ground between traditionalism and modernity with their own philosophy which was innovative at that time and in context.
But the majority of the current contemporary architects are still not woke about how to use traditional aspects in this modern era. The current generation of architecture is very much capitalized and pastiche from western and traditional (earlier modern) influence.
Contemporary architecture can only emerge from a wide approach of organic, contextual, problem solving and innovation. That’s the reason we need the rival of architecture intellect.
We can’t stick to our past and live in nostalgia, architecture should speak of its time and location.
REVIVAL/EVOLUTION OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE
UNFOLDING INDIAN MODERN ARCHITECTURE
From kurta to suits, bricks to glass it shows how India's Approach to anything is, we are influenced by the western culture that we don't even consider climate and context be it architecture or fashion. After understanding the current contemporary architecture one can see that our buildings are just built with respect to climate on paper but not practical. Modern Indian architecture should have the essence of Indian-ness and understanding of traditionalism.
In this modern era, India needs to understand that architecture is beyond space(live). We need to understand that there are innovative buildings which are not here or yet to be demolished we should digitally document it for our future generation because we need to understand there is an expiry date to everything needs, people, architecture and even this planet.
Architecture plays a very vital role in our day to life, in this pandemic, humans had understood the importance of basic spaces and how architecture provoke socialism and its impact on economy and surrounding.
INDIAN APPROACH TO ARCHITECTURE AND ITS EDUCATION SYSTEM
Education is the foundation of everything, even architecture education is also responsible for the Indian approach of the Architecture. India has still not evolved much after post-independence architecture only a few architects are who builds and design building with respect to context and traditional in a modern approach. We resist changes and because of this our inclination towards modernity is very much capitalized over emotions and past. The education system is also responsible to make student sound about past and modernity is such a way that we could take the essence and understanding of past and make a better future in which we should incorporate technology so that we can minimize the use of natural resources and go beyond the built environment.
We all are part of nature and so does architecture, upcoming architects need to understand good architecture is what when it stands still with nature and has a less negative impact on nature.
CASE STUDIES
Digital documentation of Hall of nation
How Kumbh Mela has an evolving modern approach with its traditional essence
Why can’t we have three-dimensional document Architecture which had a strong impact on society and appreciates and use the space wisely?
With this diverse opportunity in architecture why can’t our architecture society think beyond the built environment, aren’t we limiting ourself?
With this diverse opportunity in architecture why the architecture fraternity still can’t think beyond built spaces.
CONCLUSION
We can’t rationalize architecture with the term traditional and modernity, because the essence of architecture is beyond rationalism its about the user, solving problem, emotions and nature, even if start rationalizing it, then we don't need creative minds to design Artificial intelligence is enough to do that.
The approach of the architecture of India should be more local and solution-oriented, Architects shouldn’t be imposing their personality and ideology over structure nor follow any such traditional motifs and ornamentation and modern cosmeticsm rather Architecture should be local and organic with respect to its context.
Using Traditional design elements like courtyards, ornamentation, jallis, stepwells are not the way one should be rooted to the traditional aspects of architecture , traditional lessons are the way to be rooted and evolve simultaneously in the modern era, as change is the only constant thing.
With the current climate change and epidemic issues architecture needs to be rethink about ephemeralism, affordability, convertibility, mobile architecture and especially healthcare (hospitality) architecture. Like every other art form architecture will grow and improve to its peak as its country/nation does.
India with a diverse population and scarcity of space needs to take a huge step questioning the permanence of the architecture, as every thing has its own expiry date, architecture needs to be questioned as each building has huge impacts on nature. Either humans need to think about it or nature has its own way to deal with the problem which we are witnessing right now.
(This is an essay submitted along with Prateek Dulani for the 'IDHA Labs Architecture Essay Contest 2020' under the topic - 'Approach to architecture of India: Traditionalizing Modernity or Modernizing Traditionality' in the student category)
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