AR Prabhawalkar was an Indian architect who played a key role in the development of Chandigarh as one of Le Corbusier's main assistants. He designed several important buildings in Chandigarh including the Interstate Bus Terminus. Prabhawalkar went on to found and serve as the first principal of the Chandigarh College of Architecture from 1961-1967, setting up the new institution from scratch. He was admired as a brilliant architect, excellent teacher, and inspirational leader who made lasting contributions to the architecture of Chandigarh and the education of future architects in India.

1. 1
AR Prabhawalkar:
Le Corbusier’s Versatile Comrade & Founder Principal of
Chandigarh College of Architecture
By Sarbjit Singh Bahga

2. 2
AR Prabhawalkar:
Le Corbusier’s Versatile Comrade & Founder Principal of
Chandigarh College of Architecture
By Sarbjit Singh Bahga
After India achieved Independence and its
subsequent Partition in 1947, the Indian state of
Punjab lost its capital to Lahore. The newly formed
Union Government, led by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru -
the then Prime Minister of India, decided to construct
a new capital for Punjab - Chandigarh. A team of
internationally renowned architects, including Le
Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwell Fry, and Jane
Drew, was chosen to plan and design the new capital
from scratch in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills.
In addition to these foreign experts, a large team of
Indian architects was also required to assist them. An
advertisement was placed in the newspapers, stating,
"An opportunity to work with some of the finest
architects and town planners in the world." As
requested by Le Corbusier, an entrance examination
was held for the applicants. Among the architects
selected were AR Prabhawalkar, MN Sharma, UE
Chowdhury, Aditya Prakash, SD Sharma, Jeet
Malhotra, Piloo Mody, JS Dethe, NS Lamba, BP
Mathur, to name a few.
AR Prabhawalkar (Anantrao Ramchandra
Prabhawalkar) (1923-1974), who hailed from the
State of Maharashtra, joined the Chandigarh
Capital Project on 3rd January 1952 as an
Architect. It is said that AR Prabhawalkar
possessed a unique calligraphic handwriting style,
which was greatly admired by Le Corbusier, an
accomplished graphologist able to decipher
character traits through handwriting. All of
Prabhawalkar's former colleagues, subordinates,
and students, with whom the author has been
able to communicate, have attested to his
brilliance as a professional, his exceptional
character, his eloquence as an orator, and his
prowess as a writer.
AR Prabhawalkar (1923-74).
Le Corbusier with AR Prabhawalkar and his wife in a
village near Chandigarh. A photo of the mid 1950s.

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Out of the entire team of Indian architects
selected to assist the foreign masters,
Prabhawalkar had a unique ability to encompass a
broad spectrum of all associated fields of
architecture. On the one hand, he had an eye for
miniature furniture design details; on the other
hand, he could easily imagine and work on the
town-planning scale. Architecture was his first
love. Due to these qualities, Prabhawalkar
established a close working relationship with Le
Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret.
Resultantly, Le Corbusier handpicked AR
Prabhawalkar to assist him in the realisation of his key
projects, such as the Legislature Assembly Building in
the Capitol Complex, City Centre in Sector 17,
Government College of Art and Craft in Sector 10,
Sukhna Lake, and the Leisure Valley. AR Prabhawalkar
also designed the Interstate Bus Terminus in Sector
17, in collaboration with Aditya Prakash.
Considering the quality, level of difficulties, and
quantum of work involved in executing these
projects, one can understand and appreciate the
intellectual inputs and hard work done by AR
Prabhawalkar. Since these projects bear the
signatures of Le Corbusier, Prabhawalkar’s
contribution remained hidden in the pages of history.
Although Prabhawalkar was appointed as the
Architect in the Capital Project of Chandigarh, he also
worked as a Town Planner and served as the
founding Principal of Chandigarh College of
Architecture.
During the initial years of Chandigarh's construction,
it was decided by the authorities that suitable
furniture must be designed and manufactured locally
for all public buildings.
Front row (L to R) BP Mathur, MN Sharma, Dr MS Randhawa, UE Chowdhury
and AR Prabhawalkar. Back row (L to R) RR Handa, HS Chopra,
Jeet Malhotra, and Aditya Prakash.
AR Prabhawalkar, Pierre Jeanneret, UE Chowdhury, NS Lamba, BP Mathur,
and their other colleagues.

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The new furniture had to be modernist to align with
the city's modern architecture. For this purpose, a
specific department was established under the
leadership of Pierre Jeanneret. Depending on their
creativity and interest, Jeanneret involved architects
such as AR Prabhawalkar, UE Chowdhury, Aditya
Prakash, and BP Mathur in the design of the new
furniture. Together, they created a vast collection of
high-quality furniture, which has now gained fame as
'Chandigarh Furniture' and is being auctioned
worldwide as heritage furniture.
AR Prabhawalkar, who had an eye for minute details,
was involved in designing several furniture items, one
of which deserves special mention - a desk for the
Chandigarh College of Architecture. This rectangular
desk, made of steel and wood, was designed for
architecture students to place their drawing boards.
The desk had a simple structure consisting of four
legs and a spacer bar/footrest made of welded mild-
steel angles. It provided support for a wooden
worktop above and a three-tiered storage cabinet
below. The steel frames were painted blue, red,
yellow, and black to differentiate between different
aisles in the large studios.
With the establishment of Chandigarh College of
Architecture (CCA) on 7th August 1961 at the behest
of Le Corbusier, AR Prabhawalkar was the obvious
choice to head the new institution. Thus, relieved
from the Capital Project, Prabhawalkar took on the
challenge and joined CCA as its Principal on 14th
August 1961. He served the college for five and a half
years until 6th February 1967.
Setting up a college of architecture from scratch was
a Herculean task for AR Prabhawalkar, who was at the
helm of affairs. Without any building for the college,
he managed to secure temporary accommodation,
which consisted of one hall and a room in the Punjab
Engineering College (PEC) campus on the
northeastern fringe of Chandigarh.
In 1961, the first batch of 30 students used to sit in
the hall, while the other room served as the office for
the Principal. One can only imagine the challenging
situation Prabhawalkar must have faced in the initial
years.
An aerial view of the Assembly building. Le Corbusier was assisted by
AR Prabhawalkar in its construction.
A panoramic view of the City Centre, Sector 17, Chandigarh.
Le Corbusier was assisted by AR Prabhawalkar in its construction.
AR Prabhawalkar and Pierre Jeanneret-designed desk for Chandigarh
College of Architecture.

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Recalling his first day in CCA, a first-batch student, PR
Luthra, said, "We entered the hall - the college - and
were made to sit; one student on one table, no
benches but stools. Our Principal, AR Prabhawalkar –
a big, smart-looking person with an impressive face,
came and addressed us. There was pin-drop silence."
Prabhawalkar was assisted by two young faculty
members - Prof Vishwamitter and SS Bhatti. With all
his earnest efforts and excellent rapport with the top
brass of the Chandigarh Administration,
Prabhawalkar obtained the sanction for an exclusive
complex for the college on the same campus as PEC.
Architect Aditya Prakash designed the CCA complex
based on the prototype of the Government College
of Art and Craft in Sector 10, which was designed by
Le Corbusier and assisted by AR Prabhawalkar.
Therefore, being familiar with the architectural
vocabulary used in the Art College, both Aditya
Prakash and AR Prabhawalkar refined the design of
the new CCA complex to meet the specific
requirements of the college.
During the construction of the new CCA building, it
served as a living laboratory for the first 2-3 batches
temporarily accommodated on the PEC campus.
Finally, the CCA building was ready by 1963, and the
college shifted to its new premises. Credit for this
quick action goes to the founder, Principal AR
Prabhawalkar. Unfortunately, no architectural author
has ever recorded the untiring and discreet efforts of
AR Prabhawalkar in setting up this premier institution.
Ashok Digankar – a student of AR Prabhawalkar in the
first batch of CCA, recalls, "I vividly remember
Professor Prabhawalkar as an imposing personality, a
fluent and brilliant orator, and an intellectual par
excellence. His lectures were very absorbing, and
there used to be pin-drop silence throughout. Due to
his distinguished career and architectural status, he
brought renowned architects from India to share their
knowledge and experience with the students.
Digankar adds, "During our stay, from 1961-1966, in
CCA, Charles Correa, BV Doshi, Achyut Kanvinde,
and a host of other great architects visited CCA.
Being locals, Pierre Jeanneret, BP Mathur, Jeet
Malhotra, and JS Dethe were regular visitors."
AR Prabhawalkar enters the room of Jane B Drew.
Assembly building door from outside. AR Prabhawalkar
assisted Le Corbusier in the construction of this building.

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Sarbjeet Singh Sandhu, another student of
Prabhawalkar in the first batch of CCA, recalls, "Prof
Prabhawalkar was a renowned professional, devoted
teacher, and a thorough gentleman. He was our
Design Teacher for all five years in college.
Prabhawalkar used to spend a lot of time with each
student, guiding them at every stage of designing on
the drawing board. He was highly respected by all
the students. All of his students excelled in their
professional careers, with many reaching top
positions in various government and private sectors."
BP Kashyap, another student of the first batch of CCA,
says, "Prof Prabhawalkar was a great teacher and an
enigmatic leader. Though soft-spoken and polite, he
could transform into an angry dictator, demanding
complete discipline and obedience from every
student."
Likewise, Naresh Sehgal, a student of CCA from 1967
-72, shared that AR Prabhawalkar used to teach at the
college as a visiting Professor (after leaving the
college), and he taught them Urban Design in 1971.
According to Sehgal, Prof Prabhawalkar was very
punctual and thorough in his subject, and his lectures
were absorbing, to the point, and easy to understand.
After his period, the panoramic blackboard was filled
with sketches drawn by him. Sehgal said that students
(usually in the habit of bunking classes) never missed
Prabhawalkar’s lectures.
As is evident from his students' comments, AR
Prabhawalkar was a mesmerising speaker. His
student Ashok Digankar said, "Prabhawalkar once
delivered a presidential address to the students at
Punjab Engineering College. After his speech, the
students of PEC were heard saying that they had
never listened to a speech of such fluency, authority,
and continuity of thought - a great orator indeed. The
students were spellbound after hearing the
wonderful speaker. He was a great intellectual, had
an exemplary character, and was a man of principles.
But above everything else, he was a great human
being."
A panoramic view of Sukhna Lake. AR Prabhawalkar assisted Le Corbusier in
its construction.
Pedestrian path along Sukhna Lake. AR Prabhawalkar assisted Le Corbusier
in its construction.
Rose Garden in the Leisure Valley. AR Prabhawalkar assisted Le Corbusier
in the planning of Leisure Valley.

7. 7
After establishing and serving the Chandigarh
College of Architecture from 14th August 1961 to 6th
February 1967, AR Prabhawalkar returned to his
parent department, which had already been
bifurcated into the Department of Architecture,
Punjab and the Department of Architecture, Haryana.
AR Prabhawalkar was appointed Senior Architect/
Head of Haryana's Department of Architecture. By
this time, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret had
already left Chandigarh.
Prabhawalkar was in the habit of performing his
assigned duties perfectly but discreetly, with no
intention of boasting or seeking credit. However, due
to his professionalism, integrity, and expertise, he
found a unique admirer in Port Louis, a thousand
miles away from India. This admirer was Sir
Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the first Prime Minister of
Mauritius, who personally selected Prabhawalkar as
his Adviser for Urban Development. Honourable
Ramgoolam requested the then President of India,
Honourable V V Giri, to allow Prabhawalkar to serve
in Mauritius. Considering this request, Prabhawalkar
was relieved from his duties in India and joined his
new and challenging assignment in Mauritius in 1972.
Parting with the services of Prabhawalkar was a
significant loss to the Capital Project of Chandigarh
and the State of Haryana. Furthermore, during his
tenure as an Adviser to the PM of Mauritius, AR
Prabhawalkar's untimely and unfortunate demise in
1974 created a significant void in architecture and
town planning.
In his birth centenary year, we pay our heartiest
tribute to AR Prabhawalkar – Le Corbusier’s
Versatile Comrade and Founder Principal of
Chandigarh College of Architecture.
Interstate Bus Terminus at Chandigarh. AR Prabhawalkar
designed this building in collaboration with Aditya Prakash.
Government College of Art and Craft, Sector 10, Chandigarh.
AR Prabhawalkar assisted Le Corbusier in its construction.
Government College of Art and Craft, Sector 10, Chandigarh.
AR Prabhawalkar assisted Le Corbusier in its construction.

8. 8
AR Prabhawalkar (L) and BP Mathur (R) with Louis Kahn at Temporary
Site Office, Chandigarh. A photo of 1968.
Group photo of the first batch of Chandigarh College of Architecture (1961-66) with Principal AR Prabhawalkar in the centre of front row.
(Left to right ) Jeet Malhotra, Aditya Prakash and AR Prabhawalkar
with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru during a site visit to Chandigarh.