Cultural Continuum and Regional Identity in Architecture

Balkrishna V. Doshi

Introduction At the physical level, it embodied centuries oflearning

with regard to orientation, climate, building materials
The last few years have rightly witnessed a growing and construction techniques At the spiritual level, the
debate among the developing countries, particularly built-form conveyed total harmony with the life-style
those which experienced intense colonisation about in all its daily as well as seasonal rituals, unifying the
the state of architectural design and planning socio-cultural and religious aspirations of the indivi-
practices. The realisation that Western models of duals and the community
architecture and urban planning introduced by the
To achieve this unity and to integrate physical and
colonising agencies, as well as the subsequent develop-
spiritual needs, due importance was given to nature
ments in the West, were not very suitable to their and its basic laws. Nature was accepted as it is.
own resources and climatic circumstances and socio-
Life-style and activity followed in consonance with
cultural well being has led to lot of healthy
nature and architecture with nature. Concern for
questioning. This has also required them to look into
resources and conservation of energy was reflected in
their own past heritage to understand the archi-
all rituals, social actions and very clearly in physical
tectural and planning practices which evolved over
planning.
centuries of adaptation and in few cases adoption.
The compactness of the town plan, building using
The theme of this Seminar, some of the recent thick walls with niches, and a variety of in-between
publications like MIMAR, and a shifting emphasis in elements like balconies, incorporated both the
research areas among academics are indicative of a symbolic as well as social meaning. Jaisalmer, old
very subtle beginning in an extremely crucial aspect of Jaipur and old Delhi are testimonies to such thinking
built environment design' that of seeking beyond
The application of such realistic and yet value
mere visual aspirations dominated by and large by
oriented attitudes, gave society a sense of confidence
International Modem Movement, and exploring
and a much needed feeling of self-sufficiency. External
the abstract, cultural undercurrents which nourish
considerations were accepted under duress and were
society, using the built environment in its dual cause
gradually absorbed to facilitate the continuance of the
and effect role
envisaged life-style. The transformation of the
This paper discusses two major parameters of this Mughal architecture to suit India is a case in point. In
role of the built-environment. It begins by dealing this process, the role played by everyone including the
with more tangible issues, reviewing current design architect was that of shareholders in an enterprise.
practices vis-a-vis the traditions and resource While the roles of each discipline may be demarcated,
situation in India. Later it deals with the intangible the final outcome expressed the multiple considera-
parameters, which seeks to explain built-form as a tions that went into making it. That is how all different
manifestation of socio-cultural institutions which are forms of art in India have, over the centuries, given
looked into a dynamic relationship nurturing and birth to a vernacular idiom, sustained the culture and
complementing each other in the process, sustained itself.

Search for a 'Post-Modern' regional architecture The transformation

Pre-industrial architecture of any given region had the Unfortunately, during the last two centuries, our
strength to serve the physical and spiritual needs of concepts and life-styles have undergone considerable
people, from a single family to the entire community. changes. Initially, it was the internal strife, then the

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foreign rule, then the destruction of small-scale home economies of various types, the single function zones
based crafts which affected the nature of the social were created. This not only wasted space but also
pattern. Subsequent emphasis on industrialisation, added strain on energy in transportation of goods and
the advent of new building materials, and a desire to people.
'modernise' gave rise to different patterns of building This situation, coupled with an irrelevant academic
and community-city planning. The models for such curriculum, and lack of professional leadership,
development were neither conceived on the basis of developed a breed of professionals whose main in-
our climate, nor social needs, nor life-style, nor did terests revolved around the estate developers needs.
they incorporate the attributes of the process Social responsibility and cultural values were too
mentioned earlier. The consequence was an increased dangerous to seek for fear of losing the commission.
use of resources, of energy and subsequent degrada-
tion of the environment. Because of tempting commissions to build for an elite
group which responds to an alien 'modernity', the
Today, our situation is even worse. We have a large professionals and the academic hlstitutions failed to
and growing population below subsistency level, the advocate the achievements and the essential order of
natural resources are depleting, the forest cover is the dynamic design process of the past. In the absence
being used as fuel and the metropolitan cities are of this, a formal character of design was repeated
expanding. Our physical environment is desolate, without hesitation as the only solution.
without trees, with isolated 'modern' buildings
surrounded by slums and pollution is on the increase. The cultural shock is even greater. It even makes the
Another disturbing factor is the high-technology uninitiated question the basis of earlier life-styles and
oriented industry in the metropolis and the neglect of the worth of past architecture and city planning
cottage industry in the rural area. The rural-urban practices The conflict is between the 'old' which was
harmony and interdependence is broken in this one's own and the 'new', which though alien, is
process. apparently impressive.

All this is occurring in the villages, towns and cities, A case in hand, at national level, is our more than
which have a rich cultural heritage. What we con- half a million villagers with about 580 million
stantly realise is the apparent contradiction between population. Even today, after 38 years of indepen-
what we had and what we have now. Thus, we live in dence, our rural economy is faced with the problems
an atmosphere of contradictions because, we like of shortages in food, clothing, shelter, educational
what we had, but do not yet know well how to and health facilities. This is the result of our initial
improve the present and ensure a better future. As a emphasis on heavy industries and not on developing
result, we attempt superficially, certain measures in small and medium towns as integrated communities
town and city planning, house designs and housing providing opportunities for a wholesome life.
layouts. The cultural heritage does not appeal to the We have today extremes of development without
heart of the younger generations, they do not wish to proper links. We have sophisticated technology
retain it since it does not symbolically or culturally including the atomic power plants, and jet air-trans-
belong to them. They look towards the new world portation on the one hand, and bullock-cart on the
which they witness through the ever expanding other. A few cities are becoming over populated with
communication media. The young generation's image the concentration of industries, and the smaller towns
is that of the outside world, because they do not have and villages are becoming depopulated due to lack of
any clue of our own heritage. basic needs and work opportunities. In such a state of
unbalanced development, what should be the priori-
ties of architecture and planning? What is the so called
The confusion we face today 'true' architecture? Which end of the stick should we
grasp first?
Since Independence, either due to an urge to keep up Such a state of affairs, once it has set in, is difficult to
with a rapidly modernising economy, or lacking a correct. In such a situation, the technologies for pro-
societal concern, the profession has followed a duction of basic needs are in great demand. The mass
different path. As against the traditional solutions media, radio, television and films, have brought to the
which responded to the local resource and climate, the mostly uneducated population an awareness of the
designer has opted for techniques and forms life in developed countries. As a consequence, the
propagated by the new technology. The hot, imper- growing number of people dependent on a limited
sonal bee-hives of flats, in concrete, in isolated developed land area, aspire for a new world; a world
locations, separated by unsuitable public spaces of plenty and comforts. New gadgets that are seen
have led to social disintegration and environmental through the mass media become a fascination. The
degradation. In settlement planning similar things choice open to them is to search for a place where the
followed. As against mixed land use which promoted happiness of their dream can be realise~. The reaction
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naturally is to move to a better place Thus movement seen through the minute activities and functions
from less developed to developed places takes place carried out in the house, it can be felt that there exists
No one is able to control this exodus. a strong sense of identity. This must be incorporated
in designing new environments and, to do this, it is
necessary to understand the socio-cultural patterns.
The emerging issues The illustration of a simple village well, as an element
representing a socio-cultural pattern, has often been
We note that this situation is an unavoidable con- quoted. The water well is an institution which binds
sequence of industrialisation. What solution do we the community very strongly because this is where
have for either the urban or the rural areas? Since the people meet each other daily, discuss their problems,
technological benefits should be given to the masses, find solace in their griefs, and feel socially cared for.
irrespective of their location, what are we, as The village well over centuries has grown as a very
architects and planners doing? Are we really develop- prominent social institution. There are a large number
ing a technology for orderly and contented living of such manifestations in the old and existing insti-
conditions for many or are we generating through tutions which tell us about the socio-cultural tradition
education and planning some ways of helping the of the community. Detailed study of these can provide
rural population to have a better place or well con- us with a genuine understanding of the real com-
ceived industrial activities for lean periods, or better munity needs, which must be given importance in
tools for farming? architecture and design.
In such situations, what kind of role can be expected Therefore, institutions became the primary design
from architecture and community planning? Since the elements in creating ali. environment. Religious
entire development has depended on uncontrolled institutions particularly the temple, through the ages
circumstances and has discounted 'man', what style of have greatly influenced the community environment.
buildings can we expect? What can be taught to the There are temple cities in India which have survived
coming generations? What professional services can for centuries because the religious institutions have
we offer? Where do we really begin? provided the community with cultural stability,
The effects of such uncoordinated development has occupation and guidance in its behavioural patterns.
had more disastrous effects in developing countries These also helped in establishing value systems
than in the developed countries. For where can the and a strong conviction in continuous community
poor nations find additional resources to rectify its belonging.
ever growing mistakes of blind imitation? For the institutions to survive, grow, expand and be
a part of the culture, there was an organisational
structure evolved by the society. In the Ajanta and
The Indian cultural heritage and community Ellora caves, while the building activity continued
environment over centuries, the quality of execution and the crafts-
manship continued to grow better. Today, the work
Over the centuries, Indian culture, through its socio- assigned to an assistant or to a contractor cannot
economic ramifications has given a sense of security achieve the expected quality if the designer is absent
and yet allowed wide choices. In the traditional Indian for even a few months. In the case of these caves and
society, one is not alone, but part of a community. temples, the chief architect or the 'sthapati' would
Buildings are not built in isolation, but in groups come, spend some time and then go away. He perhaps
leading to a total environment, merging buildings, would not come again, but the work went on through
spaces and culture in a unified whole. The community generations, with the quality remaining constant
shares everything, be it an economic activity or a and often improving. This process had within it the
festival. Unless this socio-cultural tradition is under- built-in mechanism of community commitment and
stood, the organisation of buildings, streets, spaces convictions passed down through generations. The
and their forms cannot be the desired fabric wherein generations of designers, builders and craftsmen
the community wants to live. It is, therefore, neces- would continue to build the institution, each excelling
sary to talk about physical environment in terms of the previous one, motivated by their commitment to
culture rather than only in terms of buildings, space, remain true to the major principles, and guidelines,
technology or economy. established by the sthapati with regard to the location,
The house form which has evolved in India, say in the materials, the technology, the design of the
Ahmedabad can be cited as an example. This form has carvings and the sense of depth. This suggests that
behind it centuries of tradition, which not only ties the within a main concept, an organisational system and
community of one generation together, but also the a method must be deVeloped to continue the work, to
successive generations within the house. In the house provide choice for participants to identify themselves
plans, it is difficult to perceive this immediately, but with the work and thus generate excellence. This
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Cultural Continuum and Regional Identity in Architecture

quality of transition, of commitment to the commu- regarded the form of the Iota as a demonstration of
nity, and the ability and sanction to interpret one of the most essential process of design which is
principles by individuals are very much in contrast to neither time nor space bound. How its design came
contemporary practices. There, perhaps, greater about or who was the designer is not clearly known.
importance is given to the individual and his role, and The fact that it has so many attributes, gives it a place
not to the organisation. People today, presumably in the history of design.
believe that when the individual dies, the organisa- In the other example from Vishnudharmottar
tion also comes to an end. Purana, the King asks Lord Markendeya how to
It is interesting to see therefore why Indian culture has build a shrine for Him so that the Lord is available for
survived through many centuries and why it is good daily worship. In His reply, the Lord explains to the
in some ways. This is because, through centuries, King, the process of design and how to learn this
institutions have evolved along with the living envi- process.
ronment and provided a broad flexible structure Here, phonetics, poetry, literature, art, music, paint-
which an individual has the 'choice' to interpret in his ing and sculpture are mentioned as basic and succes-
own way. As a result, the commitment to the concept sive tools oflearning without which a designer cannot
of community has been deep-rooted and this has fulfil his task of building a temple cohesively related
tended to provide for total harmony. The built-in to the symbolic and functional aspects.
variations in all aspects of Indian life, and activity-
creation always provide an 'open end' with regard It is apparent from the above that a good design must
to growth, evolution and change. This is another include several tangible and intangible functions:
very important aspect to remember. In our modern what Louis Kahn called the measurables and the
attitude to development planning, building and unmeasurables, the physical and the spiritual or the
designing, these issues, though basic are often ignored symbolic.
when preconceived or alien strategies do not work and
hence planning and designing becomes totally
inefficient. Directions for the future - the possibilities
Such attitudes to organisation, structure and design
can be discovered in past Indian architecture, With today's technologies, it should be easy to build
particularly that of the temples which have served as a new world, a world which can be linked with the past
the most important catalytic institution to preserve by building on the basic values, and with the future
the culture. In Indian architecture, the creators, the in terms of the well-being of a larger number of
designers, thought about many functions other than people. Planning will only succeed, provided
just simply the basic functions the buildings should uncertainties about 'values' are reduced to a
perform. The idea of a staircase performing only the minimum and not subject to pressures of immediate
function of movement, a window that oflighting and circumstances.
ventilation, or a roof that of providing shelter from Fortunately, we are becoming aware of the conse-
the weather, are basically alien to Indian culture since quence of our present day actions and we are
such cannot satisfy the diverse needs of diverse dissatisfied. We realise that it is necessary to accept
groups. A staircase can mean many things, a place to technological advances and explorations of new
sit or if bigger, perhaps a place to sleep. avenues for growth. It is of great importance to
All elements were considered as multifunctional. That harness resources and energies to support the ever
is what Indian culture has grown with, and that is how increasing population. What we have not, perhaps,
the Indian temperament is built. Growth of buildings understood properly is a place for the technology. It
are not just additive but are basic to the balanced life. is really a tool but the tool has become a hammer
Therefore, all elements of the environment must be which we can't wield. Technology is not an end in
designed to satisfy more than one situation. itself. Unbridled technology can lead to over-
production resulting in wasteful consumption.
This reminds one of Charles Eames' description of a
Essentially, technology should be utilised in relation
'Iota', the traditional vessel for fetching water, and
to man's welfare.
also a conversation recorded in 'Vishnudharmottar
Purana', a 12th century treatise of arts. In the example Our main aim should be to become industrious not
of the Iota, Charles Eames, with his highly developed merely industrialised. By becoming industrious, that
sense, saw in it the total process of not only its making, is, through skill and healthy competition and choice,
its form or its use as a container, but also in it the we can have a better rapport between work that one
users' various postures when carrying it from the well enjoys doing and leisure as its counterpoint. Our
or the river, on the head or on the waist or in the hand. approach should be based on using life, time and
He also heard in it the sound of water, and therefore, space more fruitfully. With this the problem of
quantity, that is, the needs of the large number of
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 Cultural Continuum and Regional Identity in Architecture

people will be interlinked with quality. This will

improve the values since, quality will convert the
quantity into an expression of life's desire and will not
belong to the realm of competition, because, it will not
be superfluous but inherently essential.
To this end, what sort of planning and architecture is
most helpful? What considerations should the profes-
sionals have, so that its expressions have a bearing on
the history and the culture of the people? Should our
architectural and community planning focus on social
expectations, religious faith, aesthetic outlook, or
only an economic affluence? It is accepted that we as
professionals, with a limited field of control, cannot
directly provide for the amelioration of economic
conditions. We may however be able to decide on
courses through which, economic growth not only
becomes possible but progressive. This We can do. On
the other hand, we may not be able to change the
social customs and manners of a people, but we can
plan in a manner that provides for a healthy accom-
modation of these. The architect-planner, naturally
cannot preach any religious doctrine, but whatever
the religious form, he can plan and provide for the
individual or for the community, choices for prayers,
for meditation, for ceremonies or for festivals.
In terms of operation and management for balanced
growth, we need to discover scales which are self-
sufficient in certain respects and, at the same time,
inter-dependent for certain operations.
We should define, at least to a close approximation,
the scales of various operations for an individual,
family and community in villages, towns and cities so
that their mode of living is in relation not only to a
cycle of 24 hours but also in relation to weekly,
monthly and annual needs. In this way every indivi-
dual, who ultimately constitutes the community and
the city, has his own choices for work, rest, reflection
and creation.
Quality will naturally emerge in time, provided the
entire process is nurtured with this faith. This should
be the basis of planning or architecture. This is what
we call culture, and the structure around which people
like to throng are the 'institutions of man'. We should
search for our cultural 'catalysts' which become the
institutions of man and which give life its meaning. In
planning practices and in architectural expressions,
this is what we have to look for and build.

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