Architecture
Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as
distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both
the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning,
designing, and constructing buildings or other structures.
The practice, which began in the prehistoric era, has been used as
a way of expressing culture for civilizations on all seven continents.
For this reason, architecture is considered to be a form of art.
Texts on architecture have been written since ancient times. The
earliest surviving text on architectural theories is the 1st century
AD treatise De architectura by the Roman architect Vitruvius,
according to whom a good building embodies firmitas, utilitas,
and venustas (durability, utility, and beauty).
Centuries later, Leon Battista Alberti developed his ideas further,
seeing beauty as an objective quality of buildings to be found in
their proportions. In the 19th century, Louis Sullivan declared that
"form follows function".
"Function" began to replace the classical "utility" and was
understood to include not only practical but also aesthetic,
psychological and cultural dimensions. The idea of sustainable
architecture was introduced in the late 20th century.
Types of architecture are as follows:
Residential architecture.
Commercial architecture.
Landscape architecture.
Interior design architecture.
Urban design architecture.
Green design architecture.
Industrial architecture.
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Architecture in India
Indian architecture is rooted in the history, culture,
and religion of India. Among several architectural styles and
traditions, the best-known include the many varieties of Hindu
temple architecture and Indo-Islamic architecture,
especially Rajput architecture, Mughal architecture, South Indian
architecture, and Indo-Saracenic architecture. Early Indian
architecture was made from wood, which did not survive due to
rotting and instability in the structures. Instead, the earliest existing
architecture are made with Indian rock-cut architecture, including
many Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples.
The Hindu temple architecture is divided into the Dravidian style of
southern India and the Nagara style of northern India, with other
regional styles. Housing styles also vary between regions,
depending on climate.
The first major Islamic kingdom in India was the Delhi Sultanate,
which led to the development of Indo-Islamic architecture,
combining Indian and Islamic features. The rule of the Mughal
Empire, when Mughal architecture evolved, is regarded as the
zenith of Indo-Islamic architecture, with the Taj Mahal being the
high point of their contribution. Indo-Islamic architecture influenced
the Rajput and Sikh styles as well.
During the British colonial period, European styles
including Neoclassical, Gothic Revival, and Baroque became
prevalent across India. The amalgamation of Indo-Islamic and
European styles led to a new style, known as the Indo-
Saracenic style. After India's independence, modernist ideas
spread among Indian architects as a way of progressing from the
colonial culture. Le Corbusier - who designed the city
of Chandigarh - influenced a generation of architects towards
modernism in the 20th century.
West Bengal Architecture
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West Bengal’s architecture is a rich combination of a variety of elements
influenced by a number of western as well as middle-eastern countries
that invaded and reigned over Bengal from time to time. Many of the
buildings exhibit the influence of religion and rural vernacular.
Ancient West Bengal structures:
The heritage building of Rasmancha is a complex blend of
architecture inspired by Bengali huts in the middle section and
Islamic architecture in its arches of the 16th century Bengal. It is
located at Bishnupur and was sanctioned by Mallabhum
king Hambir Malla Dev in 1600 CE. The 384 sq. metre temple
resembles a pyramid in its upper part. All the Radha Krishna idols
of Bishnupur are brought at the Rasmancha to be worshipped
during the Ras festival.
‘Four temples’ is what it translates to in English when we speak of
the Char Bangla Temple built with a small courtyard in the middle
by Rani Bhavani, the queen of Natore. The structure is a
magnificent work that creates amazing shadow patterns with
terracotta art carved on brick. Each temple is intricately decorated
by ornamental brickwork and has 3 Shiva lingas. The temple
displays combination of brick and plaster work that sings of the
Hindu epics and Puranas.
Renovated and maintained as a museum, the Jorasanko
Thakurbari was home to the greatest poet of all times in Indian
literature, Rabindranath Tagore. The gorgeous structure was built
by DwarakanathTagore in the 18th century and was named after
two ‘Shankar’ or Shiva temples, called Jora Shankar, found near
the house itself. The rounded verandahs of the house were
constructed to make it easier for those residing in it to watch
programs staged in the center of the house, called Natya Mancha.
Thakurbari was renovated into a center for Indian Classical Fine
Arts with an impressive museum, known as the Rabindra Bharati
Museum, founded in 1961.
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Tamil Nadu Architecture
Tamil Nadu is known for its ancient temple architecture known as
the Dravidian architecture. Nearly 33,000 ancient temples, many at
least 800 to 2000 years old, are found scattered all over Tamil
Nadu. As per Tamil Nadu Hindu Endowments Board, there are
38,615 temples. Most of the largest Hindu Temples reside here.
[3] Studded with complex architecture, a variety of sculptures, and
rich inscriptions, the temples remain the very essence of the
culture and heritage of Tamil land, with historical records dating
back to at least 3,000 years.
The state also abounds with a large number of temple tanks. The
state has 2,359 temple tanks located in 1,586 temples and also
confluence of many architectural styles, from ancient temples to
the Indo-Saracenic style (pioneered in Madras) of the colonial era,
to churches and mosques, to the 20th-century steel and chrome
of skyscrapers.
Nellaiappar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva,
located in Tirunelveli, built by Pandyas and the sanctums of the
temple were constructed by Nindraseer Nedumaran who reigned in
the 7th century. The mani mandapam with its famous musical pillar
was built by Later Pandyas in the 7th century.
Nellaiappar temple is spread over 14 acres. The gopuram of this
temple is 850 feet long and 756 feet wide. Sangili Mandapam built
on 1647 by vadamalaiyappa pillayan connects the Ganthimathi
Amman and Nellaiyappar temples. From the inscriptions
of Kulasekkara Pandiyan we learn that he defeated
the Chera, Chola and Hoysala kings and built the outer walls of the
temple with the war booty.
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