2017 synopsis shalini

ENGAGING WITH THE FLUX A comprehension of temporalities in the landscape of Dakshina Bayaleseeme (Southern Maidan, Karnataka) interpreted through socio-cultural calendars.

Shalini P I Thesis synopsis Guided by: Sandip Patil 600m

Notion

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Association

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Elasticity

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Agency Faculty of Architecture I CEPT university

PREMISE Landscape is never a permanent feature, it is a composition of various living objects involved in di-

verse inter-related systems which function at different paces of time. The objects in a landscape are heterogenous and dynamic evolving over time. Time acts as a facilitator for the formation of a land-

scape over several centuries, but the perception of this dynamism of the natural objects in a landscape is bound by the life spans of human beings.

RESEARCH QUESTION/S: What are processes involved in the socio-cultural calendars (festivals) of India, which serve as a medium to understand and evaluate the temporalities in the landscape

A landscape when perceived as a collection of dynamic natural objects in physical space can be

of a place?

being the objects that take longer spans of time to undergo changes in their physical form. Mountains,

How do these processes help in interpreting the land-

defined as a summation of constants and variables with respect to human life spans . The constants

Hills, River systems for example which are under the constant influence of geological agents. The

scape narrative of a place?

as, growth of trees and plants, seasonal flowering, seasonal harvests and so on. These constituent

AIM

variables being objects that take shorter spans of time to undergo changes in their physical form such objects in space, are governed by the geographic attributes of their locations and are enormously influenced by time on their existence. The changing flux in the landscape provides multiple meanings and interpretations of the same place.

The references to a natural setting in India, is an outcome of the socio-cultural associations of people

To understand the relationship between space and time in landscape established through socio-cultural calendars of the region, in order to provide an approach in interpreting

with thetir surroundings that has evolved over centuries, which follows a system where the historic

the temporalities in the landscape of a place.

nificant cyclical processes and repetitive events. A derivative of this system of referencing are the

OBJECTIVES :

situations and mythical narratives are intensely entwined. It is also a system which describes sig-

Socio-cultural calendars in different regions across the country which follow the solar-lunar cycles and mythical narratives to define and bind periods. This system is a subset of the Gregorian calendar,

and uses astronomical data referencing the movements of the sun and the moon to define time. These

socio-cultural calendars have specific markers in their periods as festivals that celebrate milestones in the cyclical processes of nature.

To understand landscape as a dynamic entity, by appreciating its temporal qualities.

To understand the associative value given to the temporal natural objects in a landscape in an Indian context.

These milestones not only give an identity to a place by defining a common activities for the set-

To understand the diversity in the socio-cultural responses

them with it.

natural objects.

tlement, but also help associate people with the landscape of their surroundings closely and engage

of people as a result of these associations with temporal

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STRUCTURE AND FRAMEWORK ‘Temporalities of landscape’ have been previously studied, defined and interpreted differently by Landscape architects, sociologists, anthropologists and archaeologists. Although the area of prom-

inence in each study varies, there is a constant reference to the changing landscape across all the interpretations.

While trying to position the hypothesis of this thesis in the existing pool of theories, there were three

METHODS Literature studies, Mapping, Inerviews

METHODOLOGY

prominent interpretations that were supportive.

Timelines in landscape

Temporalities perceived as the seasonal changes that take place annually which remind the existence

lities in landscape

of the natural objects in a landscape periodically (Marc Trieb, 1999).

When the making of the earth is interpreted as a progressive process of forming of landscapes, the

socio-cultural activities or tasks that take place parallely, knits in more meanings to the endless con-

structive process of making a landscape. Temporality in this context is understood as a inconstant fragment in linear timeline of events, defining the relationship between the ‘taskscape’ and the land-

The socio-cultural interface that is a resultant of tempor-

A sample study area, as a medium to apply the lens The exposition, a narrative of the temporalities in the landscape of a place undestood by engagement through activity.

scape (Tim Ingold, 2001).

Temporalities have also been analysed as the play of socio-cultural activities in the constant backdrop of a landscape, every scene or activity of human beings defines a different temporal meaning to the

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS:

This thesis is an interpretation that is closely associated with Tim Ingol’s understanding of temporal-

tomontages/ sketches of its projection throughout the year

landscape (James M Mayo 2011).

ity as a relationship between the Landscape and the ‘Taskscape’. The study explores a segment of the linear endless process described by Ingold, in an Indian context.

The study would include photographs of spaces and pho-

The theoretical base data that would be collected would be of a single source derived out of the associations of the people in the sample area chosen.

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STRUCTURE AND FRAMEWORK The analytical framework and the structure of the thesis is positioned to be a fragment in the understanding of ’ Temporality in a landscape’ by Tim Ingold. The study elucidates a method in undesrtanding the relationship between the landscape and the taskscape using a sample study area.

STRUCTURE The report is structured in five parts. The preamble gives a detailed foundation to the logical understanding of the theory upon which the Hindu calendar systems are based. This leads to the establishment of a socio-cutural lens as an interface, defining

Human perception of changes in alandscape

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Indian systems of referencing itme

a time referencing system based on the philosophy studied.

PREAMBLE

.

A sample study region is chosen to apply the lens on to, in order to read the dynamics of its landscape. The fluxing objects in the landscape are analysed in terms of their associations and tem-

THE INTERFACE

LANDSCAPE OF THE PLACE

PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGION

TASK-S CAPE OF THE PLACE v

2 HYPOTHESIS RESEARCH QUESTION

HUMAN SETTLEMENT

ARCHEOLOGICAL EVIDENCEA

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poral values.

THE INTERFACE

The study is concluded with the findings in the sample area, and how they help in interpreting a landscape as a dynamic entity.

THE MEDIUM

ANALYSIS

References Treib, Marc. “Nature recalled.” Corner, James. Recovering landscapes; essays on contemporary landscape theory . New York:

SAMPLE STUDY AREA

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CONCLUSION

THE EXPOSITION

The structure of the thesis placed over the definition of time by Tim Ingold

Structure of the study

Princeton Architectural press, 1999. 29-44.

Mayo, James M. “Temporary landscapes.” Journal of Architectural and Planning Research (2009): 125-145.

Ingold, Tim. “The Temporality of the Landscape.” Ingold, Tim. Perception of the Environment. London: Taylor & Francis, Ltd., 1993.

152-174.

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TIMELINES IN LANDSCAPE The elements of landscape are constantly in a flux, some of these changes are more prominent than the other to human beings due to the varying paces of time that each constituent follows. Because

of these time scales having an impact on one’s perception of landscape, they could be understood by

GEOLOGICAL TIME SCALE A geological timeline helps us interpret the history of the earth as

categorising them into parts as constants and variables.

a stratified surface which is a resultant of geological processes.

changes being irreversible, the perception of it would be limited to understanding the linear changes

progression of events add on layers of significance to the earth

The variables further, are perceived as progressive changes and repetitive changes. The progressive

The slow paced timeline is perceived to be linear in nature with a

in the physical form of the object as a spectator, whereas the repetitive changes are strongly bound

surface over the years.

by the sense of anticipation that it stimulates in the minds of people owing to its predictability.The

repetitive changes in a landscape are more engaging with the human beings than the progressive.

HUMAN TIME SCALE

The annual harvests of mango for example is more engaging with human beings than the progressive

The palpable perception of all the changes in a landscape for a

The repetitive changes are defined by yearly, monthly, weekly and daily cycles in which the changes

In a span of hundred years( average lifespan of a human being)

repetitive eminence of these rhythmic changes in the natural objects in the place makes the existence

are constantly occurring, all of which cannot be grasped as a com-

growth of the mango tree spaning over 3-5 years.

human being in one lifetime is not possible.

in the physical form of the natural objects make sense through a series of shorter time frames. The

there are several changes in the surrounding natural objects that

and the flux in the elements of landscape more prominent to human beings.

position by human beings.

RHYTHMIC VARIABLES IN LANDSCAPE

The variations in a landscape is due to the disparity the natural elements show with respect to their

physical form throughout the year. These variations are a sum total of the individual fluxes that every natural element in the place exhibits.

The determining factors causing these periodic variations are precipitation, temperature, topography, and soil of the place. The topography and soil are permanent elements of a place that are under contin-

uous action of geological agents whereas the precipitation and temperature of the place are dependent on the climate and physiography of the region.

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The progressive changes being irreversible, the perception of it would be limited to understanding the linear changes in the physical form of the object as a spectator, whereas the repetitive changes are strongly bound by the sense of anticipation that it stimulates in the minds of people owing to its predictability.

The repetitive changes in a landscape are more engaging with the human beings than the progressive.

THE INTERFACE Man used inherent qualities of the land to define it, understand it and make the descriptions part of

his memory and of other people’s over generations. The physical features of land or the activities that

take place on it were the determining factors of the label given to it; ‘Ananda giri’-hill of happiness, ‘Galli giri’- hill of winds, ‘Periyar’-Big river, ‘Bai Konda’-tube shaped hill. Defining a subjective narrative to a landscape not only helps in understanding natural objects and their inherent qualities, but also serve as sources of references to the past. Over the years, the spaces do not visually or func-

tionally resemble what they were before, the names given to them if understood and decoded would give us information about the story of the land and a connecting link to its history; ‘Malleshwaram’,

a small area in Bangalore derived its name from ‘Kadu maleshwara’-land of the forest God, which gives us a glimpse of the landscape that existed before human intervention. Similarly, ‘Sampangiram-

INDIAN SYSTEMS OF REFERENCING TIME The holy scriptures of the Hindus, the Vedas, Manu Dharmashastra, Mahabharata and Puranas interpret infinite time as a series of broken and recurrent periods understood as Kalpa and Pralaya.

The Kalpa is a period where all the inhabitants of the earth exist and the Pralaya is when they are in a state of invisible and unconscious dissolution.

This process of slow and constant degradation is represented as four repetitive ages or Yugas

nagar’ is a name which is a product of ‘Sampanigiram lake’ depression over which the settlements were encroached forming a society.

Attaching meanings to natural objects was a noticeable method used by the holy scriptures in India

THE HINDU CALENDAR SYSTEM

as a medium for establishing a connect of people with nature. Every object that we store in a defined

A combination of the repetitive changes in a natural setting as

While the narratives revolving around the natural objects are notionally reinforced by our mytho-

formation of calendar systems among the Hindus.

the types of natural objects ; ‘Gangamma’ as a water Goddess, Bhoodevi as the goddess of the earth,

events in nature against time and defining units based on the

space has a particular significance attached to it, be it of aesthetic or functional appeal.

well as an insight to the cultural context of the place led to the

logical stories by denoting demigods and goddesses responsible for the several forces of nature and

The calendars are a derivative of a repetitive understanding of

suryadeva as the Sun-God and so on, they are physically reinforced by the manifestations of the as-

movements of the sun, the moon and the stars.

Homologous to defining narratives to natural objects or converting them into a sacred objects of wor-

There are four types of calendars followed in India, this thesis would

sociations in the form of idols or Murtis.

ship by adding layers of meanings to them, time is understood as a method of referencing cycles in nature in the Hindu mythology.Owing to this system of referencing, the Indian sense of time is under-

stood as a cyclic one which comprises of recurrent cycles of events and does not define a chronology of the historical events of the past

be focusing on the the Southern Amanta system as a lens or an interface that would help interpret the flux in the natural objects of a landscape.

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THE MEDIUM The Southern Amanta calendar is applicable to a large region across five States of the country, Ma-

harashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Orissa. These States are not only defined by administrative boundaries but also by the notional bond of culture and language among the people in

each area. Although the logical understanding of the time referencing of the system is broadly similar

over all the States, their difference in cultures result in the interpretation of the system differently in different States.

Physiographic regions of Karnataka

The Physiographic region chosen among the four to detail out by interpreting its landscape across time through a socio-cultural lens is the Dakshina Bayaluseeme ( Southern Maidan), which has an

elevation of around 800m -1000m, the region receives rainfall twice a year as a result on the moisture laden South western monsoons in the During the tutu of Varsha( July-August) and also due to the

retreating monsoons in the tutu of Hemanta ( November- December). It has red soils which are sandy, loamy and clayey in nature.

There are seven main settlements of different scales in the physiographic region chosen. The sample

is a part of land around a settlement called Chickballapur in the northern part of the Maidan.There

Dakshina Bayaluseeme

is an imaginary line drawn around the settlement including the prominent natural elements in the settlement for the purpose of the study.

The ridge lines of the hill range running in the north-south direction to the west of the settlement

marks the boundary on one side and a point of around 3 km to the east of the settlement where the visual prominence of the hills starts to decrease marks the boundary on the other side. The boundary defined is notional, as the study is related to the culture of the people of the settlement and their references and associations with nature and is thereby not rigid.

Sample study area

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the settlement give rise to seven main rivers that act a source of water to many settlements in Karna-

taka and Tamil Nadu. The first marker in the region was defined by the Cholas as a temple on top of

SETTLEMENT

the surface water draining into larger streams that flow further to become a river. The hills adjacent to

THE LAKE

THE HILLS

The landscape of the region in 1200 BC was defined by the granite boulders that constituted the hills,

THE FIELDS

ANALYZING THE INTERFACE

Section through the study area

the highest peak in the hill range in 1600 BC, thereby associating the hill with Kailasa- ‘ The abode of Lord Shiva�.

In 1700 BC when Bairegowda a ruler of Avati, a neighbouring town came to visit a sage who resided

Shishira

on the hills decided to build a fort at the foot of the hills and move some of the people in Avati to this

region as he was awed by the setting of the place. The new set of people bought with them a set of pre existing referencing systems. Further, in order to establish a foothold on to the land they latched on to

the natural objects that were present in the setting by associating narratives and stories to them. These

Hemanta

associations not only manifested themselves anthropomorphically in the town as DemiGods and Godesses, Gangamma-Godess of water and Godamma-Godess of earth and prosperity , but also made their way to the yearly calendar s a layer of festivals that celebrated these natural objects every year.

Sharada

The layered calendar system when understood in detail gives us four main objects in the landscape

that the people engage with, the hills, agricultural fields, the water bodies, and an assembly of four sacred trees inside the settlement.

Varsha

While the hills and agricultural lands established a meaning to the expanse of the land that the dwellers in the settlement would see at all times as the background silhouette and the foregroud respec-

tively. The water bodies at the edges of the settlement and the repetitive assembly of trees define the

Grishma

extents and markers in the settlement respectively.

Vasanta

Notion of the landscape of the place across six rutus

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THE EXPOSITION By establishing milestones of the natural objects as festivals in the common time referencing systems the people reinforced the understanding of the importance of the natural objects with their livelihoods. The time referencing system could thereby be understood as a set of layers in the type of ac-

tivities that take place in the settlement throughout the year. There is an existing set of activities that

are common to all parts of the Dakshina Bayaleseeme as as a result of its physiographic and cultural

unity. The additional layer of resolution are the activities that are specific to the sample area that is being studied.

The entire system of time referencing with the layers along with the temporalities in the landscape could be perceived as a repetitive play which happens recurrently every year with the same back-

ground. The entire system can be defined by the associative systems as a story with events marked

in it, being enacted by the people in the settlement against the fluxing backdrop of the landscape of

the place. The constituents of the entire system, the natural objects of the landscape and the people of the settlement are not constant every year. The structure of the referencing systems however remains constant throughout.

INHERENT AND ASSOCIATIVE TEMPORALITIES The temporalities relating with the objects in the landscape of a place can be categorised as those which change the physical form of the natural object due to an inherent property depending upon the geoclimatic factors or those which reminisce the associative values of the natural object temporarily.

The inherent temporalities give rise to a certain aesthetic and dynamic spatial character to the place .On the other hand there are other temporalities that are not spatial characters defined by the inherent changes in the natural objects, but are a result of the associative value that the natural objects in the landscape carry.

AMORPHOUS BOUNDARIES

The linear link with the activity and the context however has been changing over the years owing to

This understanding of a notional boundary coupled with the In-

the place.

settlement as a place is sometimes understood with respect to

the linear change in the landscape of the place and parallel change in the socio-cultural constructs of

dian time referencing systems gives an interpretation of how the

the agricultural fields as a notion of the place and sometimes the water bodies defining the notion of the place.

The boundaries defining the settlement is thereby amorphous.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY OF THE PLACE The activities and associations defined through the calendar are entities that have been followed by the people of the settlement over several years, and thereby when studied in detail reveals the history of the landscape of the place and the traditional systems that the people used to tame the land .

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CONCLUSION The activities although excecuted at different scales in the settlement, are all aimed at interpreting

the landscape into the livelihoods of people in the settlement. The activities include several kinds of rituals, prayers, processions, pilgrim routes, cooking and so on. These activities are socio-cultural responses to the temporalities in the landscape of the place.

Some of the activities involve visually and directly experiencing the place and the natural object in terms of its textures, colours silhouettes and changes in the object are felt by understanding the aes-

thetic palpably. On the other hand there are activities during some festivals that do not exactly help

a dweller understand the nature of the object being worshipped in a visual or palpable sense but is understood in a notional sense.

VISUAL AND NOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT The activities defined at specific points in time help the peole engage witht the landscape in a visual sense or a notional sense.

The activities are not only understood as notional and physical understanding of the elements of a landscape but could also be interpreted as animations conducted in different scales AGENCIES OF PERCEPTION

The spatial character of the places in which all these activities are carried out also varies along the

The structure of the calendar is an outcome of the cosmological

others give a notional understanding of the temporality in the object.

sun and moon patterns the beginning and end of a day and week

derstood in different scales and serve as an effective medium through which one could engage with

The rigidity in the rhythm and the markers seen as milestones on

engagement however is not always effective in making the entire temporal palette of the object per-

the people hold with the system. The response not only address-

is not felt by the settlement dwellers. The system directs an engagement with it only at some points

also addresses the significant change in the physical form of the

year as some of them give a palpable understanding of the temporality in the natural object and the

understanding of the repetitive changes in our surrounding, the

The activities thereby are layered with associations notional and palpable perceptions and are un-

etc.

the natural objects of the place, and are defined by the stucture of the socio-cultural calendar. This

it are complimented by the agency of socio-cultural response that

ceived by the person, the entire cycle of the filling of water and evaporation of it throughout the year

es the aesthetic importance of the elements in the landscape but

in time of the year.

natural objects from time to time

The activity as a tool in interpreting the temporalities of the natural objects may not completely eluci-

date the idea of the dynamic landscape in the mind of the dwellers, but acts as a medium to understand the overall dynamics of the landscape of a place.

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