Anirudhan Iyengar 4th year ,38 NMIMS BSSA Research and Methodology

Book: Concepts of space in traditional Indian architecture by Yatin Pandya The book is an attempt to answer the questions: What makes historic architecture awe-inspiring? Why have architectural masterpieces retained their vitality even after so many centuries? What spatial qualities and organizational principles have rendered them timeless?" "the author starts with taking about the fundamental Indian philosophical and ideological ideas - the Indian notion of time, the duality of existence, the concept of a world within a world, the idea of opposites as counterpoints, the role of semiotics in providing visual clues in architecture and the changing perception of space while in movement. In the above narratives he explains them in detail with more examples of temples and traditional houses as reference. Further on the author takes up detailed analysis of five Indian architectural sites that is Rudabai Stepwell at Adalaj, near Ahmedabad; the Kailash Temple at Ellora, the Sun Temple of Modhera with its unique water-tank; Udaipur's City Palace and the Sarkhej Rauza in Ahmedabad. Each site is discussed in detail with visually appealing graphicrepresentatuion of plans and sections. With analytical studies overlaid on them. And the understanding of volumes in the building. Miniature-style reproductions are drawn for each example to reconstruct spatial, environmental and experiential qualities. The book gives a visual insight into the planning and the volumes of the space of the buildings. Reading through diagrams one gets the notion of the kind of culture which would have existed in that time. The

diagrammatic representation of all the space shows a clear relationship with culture and tradition of the community that used that space. Understanding through the jails of sarkhej or to the high walls of the Udaipur city palace are the outcome of the strict traditions followed by the Muslim and the rajput rulers .The author also emphasizes the role of kinesthetic in guiding the perception of space while in movement. Movement in terms would be the circulation, progression through spaces and the change in volumes of the spaces. Understanding the interplay of culture, tradition and space formation and references from the books gave me an in-depth in the traditional India. India the land of cultures and traditions these values transcend time and space to remain alive and appropriate even in the present. The beauty of traditions is it consistently adapts and suitably transforms according to the change in circumstances. In psychic Indian history time is a very cyclic phenomenon. Looking through cycles of life and birth and rebirth to faith in reincarnations all reaffirm the belief in the recurrence of time. Drawing parallel to traditional Indian spaces as their existence is a pause in time and the experience inside them around the movement of the sun which features light,darkness,solid and void they are the mutually defining aspects of the space. They are interdependent on each other a counterpart shapes the other. As counterparts they become mutual references and integral part of self-balancing system in space. Mass or volumes of a built form is a combination of space and time. Over time spaces are not the same and similarly time over different spaces is not the same. The juxtaposition of time and space is the charm of traditional Indian architecture. Relating back to the book which has the magnificent examples of one of the finest architecture in India. Looking through the palaces of Udaipur one can still feel the charm of royalty and kingship thought

the courtyards and the Diwan-e-Am and the Dewan-e-khas. The vibrancy of the space communicates with the onlooker and this is the best part of traditional architecture. The space remains communicative and interactive all the while through its spatial qualities through time. Breaking down these spaces into its fundamental would be ranging from approach and movement, scale and proportion, quality of light and the relationship of the different elements with each other. To understand such architecture one not only needs to interpret through perceptual and experimental qualities but even looking through the culture and the tradition, which existed in the space. For example looking through womens quarter in the Udaipur palace, which had steep walls and an inner looking courtyard, and small entry doors, which signifies privacy for the women. Contrary the same space interpreted in the shadow of its culture would seem like a secret enclosure of the palace. One cant call space and tradition as a two faces of coin they are in a way the legs of a chair. You remove one leg and the balance of the chair is disrupted. Understanding the relationship of space, time and culture zooming in into a space not as big a palace nor as cultural as a temple but looking at a very basic Indian house. Traditionally planned Indian house is very basic in its space geometry but rich in culture and tradition. The Indian house is a simple formation of a small veranda through which one enters the living room adjoining which would be a few rooms followed by a kitchen and dining area ending into a backyard with washing and baiting facilities. Taking this ahead in time looking at house planning around 1960s to 1980s when the idea of small two to three story apartments came into the urban senario. Following the idea of a living room with one diversion towards kitchen and bathroom and the other diversion towards the room. Looking at the planning one would question why is the baiting and the kitchen area separated compared to the rooms. Through a modern spectacle why is there no attached bathroom in the rooms.

The understanding of baiting, washing clothes and utensils and the washroom were a part of basic hygiene factor. Separating all would be maintaining a clean and hygiene living. And looking through the eyes of the Vedas bathroom was considered as a space of negative energy as one would defecate and urinate out there. Contrary to the living area and the bedrooms, which were more of a positive space. The puja room being a small part of the living area, which adds to the energy quotient. Looking at the small aspects of having a small tulsi plant inside or outside the house which both has its own scientific and religious values. And many more small traditions, which were a part of on the traditional Indian houses. Which in time have lost its importance to the modern way of living .So my thesis could revolve around reviving these traditional and cultural aspects in the modern house. With a small touch of Vastushastra and basic understanding of the four directions. Developing prototypes which would enrich the modern technology and continue the cultural lineage.