Architecture And Cultural Identity Cultural Studies Essay

Why is architecture such a powerful form of expression? What can a country’s buildings tell us about its ideas of its own past and present identity? How can we achieve the unique national identity in such a diverse country like India? What is the perceived notion of Indian identity today and how correct is it?

Figure 1: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

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The ancient culture of the Indian sub-continent confuses the Indian’s choice because it is so vast and diverse. There are people living in India who are still living in the Stone Age and also others who are equally competent and look up to the West. Indians live simulatniously with their beggars, their own satellites and Indian cosmonauts. India is a secular state with tribal beliefs mixed with Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Sikh faiths. There is no single faith of religion, and no dominant religious community. So, unlike in some countries, the rulers could not use the weapon of fundamentalism or religion to arrest the crisis of identity.

In architecture, as in all other visual arts, there is a search for identity. As individuals, as social beings we are affected by the crisis of faith, but as architects the search is for a sense of identity in the built form. This search is simultaneously being carried out in two aspects, one, the historical aspect and the other, the contemporary aspect.

“The search for identity in our architecture lies in creating buildings in the contemporary aspect.” 2

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Two main factors that have been consistently used in architectural theory, to establish the relationship between architecture and identity are the dialogue on symbolism and the idea of the local. In the case of Indian Architecture, both these factors remain inadequate and sometimes inappropriate to throw any light on the relationship between architecture and identity.

Primarily, government buildings of India, which are actually intended to show the nation’s identity, are a complete mis-representation. Due to varied influences like the British, the Mughals and the diverese native Indian architecture, the percieved notion of Indian identity is in a complete chaos. A rectangular building with arched windows and a dome on the top doesn’t represent India. Then what is it that represents India?

1.2 Need Identification

Todays Indian identity is in crisis. India is so diverse that it doesn’t have a single identity. And many foreign influences like the British and the Mughals have changed the face of India. The ‘copy-paste’ architectrure from the West has also added to the chaos. After independence, when we had to build for our own country, the dilemma of Indian identity has begun. So, what actually is Indian identity? Do the buildings which are intended to show Indian identity really represent India today?

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1.3 Scope of Survey

The research would cover only the Indian government buildings built post independence, since it is not possible to include all the typologies, as India is so vast and diverse, both over the space and time. Government building have been chosen for research because, they are the ones which are actually intended to show national/regional identity and are now in crisis. The case studies would include government buildings in Delhi only, for primary research, as Delhi is more convinient and has a lot of post independence government buildings. For secondary research, buildings from other places would be included.

1.4 Limitations of Survey

Defining Indian Cultural Identity would be difficult since there no single identity of India as it has very diverse cultures.

Greek architekton. Arch derives from the Greek term arkhos signifying a principal chief in English. Tekton represents a craftsman or builder. In other words, an architect is a master builder or a person of authority. And, architecture word had been formed in 16th century. Even Kenneth Frampton finds the relationship between architecture and poetic in architectural etymology. Frampton’s (2002) essay stated the following: