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Showing posts from April, 2012

Scale and grafitti at Khotachi Wadi

When I was a fresh architecture grad, living in Mumbai, the word 'Khotachi wadi' cropped up frequently among my architect friends. It remained a mystery to me , until recently , when I finally visited it. It is a heritage wada  situated right in the heart of Girgaum. After much difficultly , I managed to locate it, asking several shop owners and pedestrians. Quintessential photograph of the lane  :) It is 'A village in the City' , as described in this blog . Taking a small lane from a very busy street , it seemed to me that I had reached a different world, altogether - quaint , brightly painted wooden houses situated on either side of narrow streets.  Colours abound in this little piece of architectural history.  The scale was so different from the buildings I had just crossed in South Mumbai. It was small, cosy and intimate. The houses looked into each other , seemed like everyone knew everyone else here. Scale is intimate and cozy Ol

An old temple complex at Kinhai, Maharashtra

One of my colleagues lives in Kinhai (which I believe) one of the most picturesque towns in the country. Surrounded by green fields and hills, and an old temple in the background, this place is the embodiment of peace itself. The village in question, with great views  Luckily, I happened to visit it with a few of my colleagues from work last year, during harvest season. This village is very remote, I don't think I could have gone there otherwise .The weather was great , the fields were ripe with produce and it was the perfect light to take some photographs. I have always enjoyed visits to old towns, especially remote ones. I enjoy looking at the buildings and the people. They live so differently from us, like they belong to another planet altogether. Here are some pictures I took of that place .. An old temple dedicated to Rama  The old temple complex begins  Children climb down the temple complex  Commands a magnificent view over the plains 

Of cut-outs, frames and trees - At the IUCCA Campus

This was my first visit to IUCCA (Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics) in Pune. This visit was special for me, more so because it is one of the best designed campuses in India.That too, by one of our country's pioneer architect  Charles Correa .I had read and heard about it during my architecture days at M.S.U. Baroda , and I was thrilled at the chance to visit it, finally. What impressed me the most was the use of windows / frames / cut-outs throughout the campus. I found many inspired by the Mandala ( 9 squares ) , a concept Correa also used in creating in Jawahar Kala Kendra , in Bhopal. They created interesting patterns of shade on the walls - they changed throughout the day, with the sun. The day I visited , it was open to the public who wished to see the science display as well ( set up specially for that day). There were lots and lots of school going children, lots of University students. Most of them were there to see the Science display, I guess. F

Homi & Jamshed Bhabha's classic house in Mumbai

I had the most memorable visit to Homi Bhabha 's ancestral property in Malabar Hills a few of months back. It was a big deal and one of a kind visit to one of India's most celebrated scientist, as his home turned out to be treat for a designer like me. Jamshed Bhabha had set up NCPA (National Centre of Performing Arts) in 1969 , India's premier cultural destination. The Bhabha brothers Jamshed and Homi were great connoisseurs of art. They had a huge collection of art work at their home, especially by Indian artists. Jamshed Bhabha passed away in 1997, leaving this home to the NCPA, which decided to auction all of their collection to benefit NCPA itself. The day I went was the day of viewing the items which were to be actioned off. Exquisite clothes , carpets and jewellery were on display. So were fabulous pieces of furniture, lovely crockery and dinnerware. The walls and ceilings were adorned with Lalique chandeliers and Art Deco  lights. The tables were set with th