post independent architecture

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Post independence –art and

2. The age of Indian architecture
after Independence
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 India is one of the countries in the world with the richest history. One of the many things India is
known for is art and architecture. The field of architecture in India has undergone significant
changes since independence.
 Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the independent India is widely known for his far vision,
he was a modernist who favoured state intervention. Nehru was the one to take the initiative of
betterment and development of art and architecture in India.
 A new era of architecture began when the very famous architect Le Corbusier was invited to
design the capital of the Punjab state, Chandigarh. Le Corbusier’s uncompromising functionalism
consciously broke with the past ‘historicism’ of imperial architecture. Other invited architect, the
very notable Louis Kahn created the Avant- grade architecture with the little spice of the ‘Mughal’,
in Ahmedabad.

3. Architecturally
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 Nehru, championed a vision of architecture that embraced the current western centric practices namely
modernism.
 Newly independent country, required new infrastructure
 Urbanization demanded creation of new cities and towns
 Nehru was the one to take the initiative of betterment and development of art and architecture in India.
 He was the one behind the brilliant idea of suggesting that one percent of cost of a public building
should go towards its decoration with painting, murals and sculptures.

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Philosophies Of New India
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In 1950 – India witnessed battle of architecture ideologies in this 3 trends as below
 Revivalism: going back to seek inspiration from the past
 MODERNITY: Inspired by the contemporary spirit of the age.
 CONTINUITY: Found favour with the older generation of architects who were
sceptical about modernism.

5. The post architectural structures
of independent India
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 City of Chandigarh - One of the early planned cities of
India, Pandit Nehru called it ‘unencumbered with past’. The
master plan of the city was prepared by Swiss-French architect
Le Corbusier, transformed from earlier plans created by the
Polish architect Maciej Nowicki and the American planner
Albert Mayer. Built in early 1950s, most of the government
buildings and housing in the city, however, were designed by the
Chandigarh Capital Project Team headed by Pierre Jeanerette,
Jane Drew and Maxwell Fry.
 Palace of Assembly in Chandigarh:- It is a
legislative assembly designed by noted architect Le -
Corbusier and located in Chandigarh, India. It is part
of the capitol complex comprises three buildings —
legislative assembly, secretariat and high court.

6. The post architectural structures
of independent India
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 Vidhana Soudha in Bangalore - The seat of the legislature.
Pandit Nehru laid the foundation stone in 1951, and it was
completed in 1956 and built in a style known as Mysore
Neo-Dravidian. Kengal Hanumanthaiah, who was the
second Chief Minister of Karnataka (then, Mysore State) is
best remembered for his vision and contribution to its
construction.
 Ashoka Hotel in Delhi - Pandit Nehru had called for an
open architectural competition in 1956 for its design that
was won by an architect from Bombay, B.E. Doctor. Using
technology to create large pillar less spaces, Doctor created
a facade that borrowed Islamic, Hindu, British, and
modern architecture.

7. The post architectural structures
of independent India
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 IIM Ahmedabad - Established in 1961, the institute
's main building was designed by American architect
Louis Kahn.
 Centre for Environment Planning & Technology or
CEPT, Ahmedabad - Established in 1962, the campus
was designed by B.V. Doshi.
 India International Centre or IIC in Delhi -
Inaugurated in 1962, The India International Centre is a
well known non-official organization situated in New
Delhi, India.

8. The post architectural structures
of independent India
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 Express Towers in Mumbai - The Express Towers is a
25-storey building located on Marine Drive in Nariman
Point, Mumbai. Upon its completion in 1972, the 105
metres (344 ft.) building was the tallest building in South
Asia for about two years.
 Hall of Nations, Pragati Maidan in Delhi - Designed
by Raj Rewal in 1972 as part of Pragati Maidan which
is a permanent exhibition complex.

9. 9
The post architectural structures
of independent India
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 India Habitat Centre in Delhi - Constructed in the
late 1980s, The India Habitat Centre is a multipurpose
building. Mixing work, commercial and social spaces,
the Indian Habitat Centre is India’s most
comprehensive convention centre.
 The Lotus Temple or Baha'i House of Worship in New
Delhi - Already covered by other answers, this is no doubt
an iconic building and a prominent attraction in Delhi. It
was completed in 1986.