Desert Raga : A spatial magazine on Rajasthan

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DesertRaga Shekhawati | Jodhpur| Jaipur

a spatial experience by

Sugandhi Mehrotra



SHEKHAWATI

JODHPUR

JAIPUR



....................................................................................................................... Special thanks to Harnoor Kaur Manchanda and Naina Sachdev for sharing their research, observations and experience for this magazine.


desertraga


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Architecture is such a subject which is always in a process of constant change because of changing needs, new ideas and inventions wherein technology, lifestyle, culture and environment play a major role in its shaping. It is also a visual substance which illustrates the history and lifestyle of the people in that era. Moreover, it is also an indication of the mindset of people back then which not only helps us to derive solutions but also enlightens us of the various possibilities and existence of different versions of us. Desert Raga brings to you a similar spatial journey in the city of Rajasthan enveloping its 3 splendid cities Shekhawati, Jodhpur and Jaipur. Shekhawati region, introduces us to one such aspect of innocent people who, even in today’s time are not corrupted with the modern influences of living and technology. However, Jodhpur and Japiur seemed to be adapting themselves with the new culture and lifestyle. A spatial version of these cities is captured in the pages ahead which aim to render a different era in your mind with it’s art, design, graphics, paintings, material applications, structural planning, volume play, layout divisions and magnificent aura. A special thanks to IAD, Pearl Academy for providing an opportunity to experience such diversity in architecture over a weeks time; to Ms. Shachi Parmar for her support and to Mr. Aayush Rana for giving the magazine name. Sugandhi Mehrotra February’2013


C ontent


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SHEKHAWATI

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Dundlod Haveli Goenka Haveli Roop Niwas Kothi, Nawalgarh ..............................................................................................................................................................

JODHPUR

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Brahmin Quarters Mehrangarh Fort Raas ..............................................................................................................................................................

JAIPUR

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Choki Dhani Kala Kendra ..............................................................................................................................................................


SHEKHAWATI

Shekhawati is a semi-arid historical region located in the northeast part of Rajasthan, India and is known for it’s painted Havelis; frescoes were initially introduced by Shekhawat Rajputs in their forts and palaces. This region has been recognized as the “Open Art gallery of Rajasthan” having the largest concentration of frescoes in the world.

(Bawadi), Cenotaph (Chhatris), Charitable Inns (Dharamshalas), and Forts made by Shekhawat Rajput rulers and Marwari community are noted for their frescoes depicting mythological and historical themes which include images of gods, goddesses, animals, and the life of the lords Rama and Krishna, profusely painted on the Haveli.

The Mansions (Havelis) , Step Wells

The

unparalleled

craftsmanship

cannot be questioned as they have adorned these chattels of Rajasthan by using vegetable dyes for coloration and the arabesque poses and floral motifs used to be their common themes. They are the perfect amalgamation of mammoth frescoes with pictures of horses and elephants belonged to the British India. Pulsating colors are distinctive features of these Frescoes.


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FRESCOES Frescoes are hand painted murals which are executed upon walls using natural organic pigments. The oldest known fresco are the ones in Ajanta Caves which were painted between 200BC & 600 BC.


Beautifully illustrated Frescoes


BRACKETS A bracket is an architectural element: a structural or decorative member which can be made of wood, stone, or metal that projects from a wall, usually to carry weight or for ornamental purpose.


Structural Brackets complimenting aesthetics of Haveli


A tale.


DUNDLOD HAVELI, Shekhawati Dundlod is a tiny village in the heart of the Shekhawati region. Its small fort was built in 1750 by Keshari Singh. Interior of the Mandawa Fort dominates the town with a painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows. Pointed arches are present in the Dundlod Haveli both for structural and decorative purposes which are supported by circular columns and crowned by decorative floral patterns. Three arch “TIBARIS� in the Havelis give way to rooms that were either used for sleeping or storage. These arches were used for getting proper light, ventilation and to connect the courtyards to the rooms, passages, verandahs, etc.


INTERIOR SPACES DUNDLOD h a v e l i IN


The elements. The furniture. The store room. The objects. They all speak of the person who once lived here.


Space narrative/ Something happened. {Objects of identity, art, memories, books, music}


Privacy, where are thou ? Here.

Walls, washed with age. {Used for bathing/washing purposes}


GOENKA HAVELI, Shekhawati


Such ironic blend of light, space and shapes. Gloomy above, shining below.


People lived, and they left. But, what about the house ? It’s stranded. Yet viewers find it beautiful.



ROOP NIWAS KOTHI, Nawalgarh


Luxuriously detached.


The house seemed lost in it’s own beauty.


ROOP NIWAS KOTHI, Nawalgarh It was founded in 1737 A.D by Thakur Nawal Singhji the warrior statesman and was originally built as a country house on 150 acres land, mainly used for stabling and grazing the family’s horses. With its beautiful and lush surroundings the country house soon become the permanent residence of the royal family.


JODHPUR

Jodhpur features many palaces, forts and temples. It is known as the “Sun City” for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all the year round. It is also referred to as the “Blue City” due to the vivid blue painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. It is thought that the Brahmin

members of the priestly class first took to coloring their houses blue to signify their domicile and to set them apart from the rest of the population. Soon, however, the rest of the population followed suit. History does not tell us which brave non-Brahmin was the first to do it, yet it happened and since that day the people of Jodhpur have stead-

fastly maintained this tradition. However, a local reasons out that the color keeps the interiors cool and fends of mosquitoes. More likely is symbolism. Perhaps the color has a calming effect but humans and animals seem to coexist peacefully side by side in Jodhpur.


Have cool colors ever given you a warm welcome?

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brahmin q u a r t e r s


Simple lives. Simple houses. Vivid emotions. Vivid elements. Strong beliefs. Strong character.


ARCH An arch is a structure that spans the space and supports the structure and weight above it. The arches were brought into fashion by the Mughals in India.


An Arch


ARCADE An arcade is a succession of arches each supporting the next with the help of columns or piers or an enclosed walk by line of such arches on either side. It is used for supporting walls, roof as each individual arch exerts against the next.


An Arcade


BUTTRESSES A buttress is an architectural element which is used for reinforcing structures and for providing lateral support to roofs that lack adequate bracing.


Huge Brackets


What’s beautiful? The aura? The history? The arches? The stone work? Design? Magnificent volume? Or maybe the stories we imagined with them.


MEHRANGARH FORT, Jodhpur The fort is situated 400 feet (122 m) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. The foundation of the fort was laid on 12 May, 1459 by Rao Jodha on a rocky hill 9 kms to the south of Mandore. It is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan, containing some of the finest palaces and preserves in its museum many priceless relics of Indian courtly life. The Fort and its palaces were built over period of 500 years. As a result, the varied building styles of many different periods are represented.



In Mehrangarh Fort, the buttresses are used as a beautifying element. It breaks the straight line form of the fort and gives it a more organic fluid shape from the outsides.


RAAS, Jodhpur


Crafting reveries.


A cinematic landscape.


RAAS, Jodhpur Designed by Studio Lotus, a boutique hotel set in the heart of the walled city of Jodhpur, is a 1.5-acre property uniquely located at the base of Mehrangarh Fort.


JAIPUR

Jaipur {Pink city} is known to be the first planned city of India. It was planned by a Bengali architect named Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya by following the principles of Shilpa Shastra (the science of Indian architecture). The construction of the city started in 1727. It took around four years to

complete the major palaces, roads and square. The city was divided into nine blocks, two of which contain the state buildings and palaces, with the remaining seven allotted to the public. Huge fortification walls were built,

along with seven strong gates. It is assumed that the city was planned by this Bengali architect but in the book ‘Jaipur Nama’ by Giles Tillotson it is mentioned that Vidhyadhar was the prime minister of the royal court, but Giles gives credit to an anonymous group of architects for designing the city.


Constantly moving.

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JUNCTION The point of contact, joining of elements and architectural elements like columns and beams , doors and window frames with walls and ceilings , is referred to as a JUNCTION. Junctions where one can see the point of contact and joining are called ‘visible junctions’ and where the point of contact and joining is not visible , is called an ‘invisible junction’.


Junction


TRANSITION Transitions are the middle spaces between architectural elements , spaces , rooms , enclosures etc. Common examples include corridors , spaces between enclosure and the entrance , the space between inside and outside , upper and lower level, between light and shade, etc.


Transition at entrance of Haveli


CHOKI DHANI, Jaipur


Reflection. {Artificial set up}



CHOKI DHANI, Jaipur Spread over 10 acres of beautifully landscaped area for a rustic look, Chokhi Dhani village has been the mirror of Rajasthani culture since 1989. It is dotted with machaans & platforms where different folk artists perform. A village fair is created every evening as an ongoing celebration of the rich & vibrant cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Everything from the food, people, dialect, culture , ambiance , architecture; all is ethnic and Rajasthani.


KALA KENDRA, Jaipur


Energies existing in spatial forms.


Where to go?


KALA KENDRA, Jaipur Dedicated to Jawahar Lal Nehru, this arts centre, was built by the Rajasthan government with the purpose of preserving Rajasthani arts and crafts. Made entirely in Red sand stone, the arts centre took 6 years to be made (1986-92). The building, designed by architect Charles Correa; is based on an archaic notion of the cosmos : the Navgraha Mandala (the mandala of the nine planets); inspired by the original city plan of Jaipur consisting of nine squares with central square left open. It has been made in 8 blocks comprising museums, amphitheatre and other closed auditorium, library, arts display rooms, few cafeteria, small hostel and art studio.


Artwork



Spaces


Rigid space bubbles.

Organized confusion.


References http://www.mehrangarh.org/index.php/mehrangarh/history http://lotuslink.in/project.asp?mnu=portfolio&id=hotels%20/%20leisure&pid=36#bm_36 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodhpur#Climate http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/01/jodhpur-indias-blue-city.html http://www.slideshare.net/prashantmehta371/jodhpur-a-dream-destination http://www.chokhidhani.com/village/index.html http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1992/the-vernacular-architecture-of-rajasthan http://www.shekhawatifestival.com/planning.html http://www.roopniwaskothi.com/hotel_Overview.html http://www.rajasthantravels.co.in/rajasthan-art-culture/rajasthan-traditional-dresses.html http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/rajasthan/people-culture-festivals/dress.html



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