Architecture is more than just a shelter; every built wall acts as a portal to the past, transporting us to the times before us and weaving stories of people, culture and art of eras long gone. These structures act as storybooks to preserve a place’s history, culture, and legacy. From the oldest cities such as Athens to majestic palaces or monuments such as Hawa Mahal or Colosseum display a panorama of different times and the evolution of the world. It truly plays the role of a time capsule as simply walking into these structures takes us to experience history. With the help of preserving and restoring such buildings, we safeguard our history and ensure the narrations are passed on to the next generations.
Architecture: a reflection of culture
While architecture connects us to history it also reflects culture thus translating the beliefs, values and practices of the society that created it. Every building or city built, with the help of the planning, design or materials used symbolises an identity. For instance, the Stone Chariot in Hampi, Karnataka, India is a remarkable example of how culture is reflected through architecture. The chariot is a shrine dedicated to Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s escort. The detailed carving and monumental structures represent the beauty and dedication of the artisans along with the mythological beliefs. The carving of the chariot mimics wooden chariots used during festival processions held along the main street of temples. The tradition gained its popularity during Vijayanagara‘s reign. Immortalising the tradition of Karnataka in building a stone chariot stands as a symbol of the city’s strong culture, spirituality and art. Through such heritage monuments, we gain a deeper understanding of the values and bridge the gap between people, history and culture that came before us.
Living Icons That Define Time
Architecture serves the power of preserving historical essence. The structures stand as living witnesses to the passage of time. For example, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) , an enchanting fusion of Islamic and Rajput architecture, is a five-storied building located in Jaipur. It was built in 1799 by Maharaj Sawai Pratap Singh and designed by Lal Chand Ustad.
The heritage structure stands out due to its honeycomb pattern, detailed with intricate jaali work. It not only reflects artistic skills but also societal norms followed during the Rajput times through its architectural features. The palace was built for the women of royal households, who followed the purdah system to view the processions or festivals celebrated on the streets. The 953 windows with jharokhas (balconies) and arched roofs act as peepholes for the women allowing them to view the festivals performed on streets without being noticed by the public.
In today’s times, Hawa Mahal stands as evidence of Jaipur’s culture and tradition. It truly connects the modern age with the tradition and artistic skills of the Rajput society, ensuring its tales endure for generations to come.
Similarly, the Parthenon in Athens, Greece built between 447 and 432 B.C. examines the ancient Greek civilization. It is a 2500-year-old iconic temple dedicated to Greek Goddess Athena, on the hills of Athens. The architecture of the temple follows the golden ratio, which is a 4:9 ratio thus reflecting the Greeks’ deep understanding of geometry and architecture. The proportion is incorporated in the spacing of columns, layout and overall dimensions of the temple.
Beyond its architecture, it symbolizes the political and cultural power of Athens. The friezes, pediments or metopes depict mythological tales thus reflecting the culture, values, achievements and beliefs of people in Athens.
Such structures not only stand as testaments to the past but also serve as a bridge to the future. It acts as a medium where we can appreciate the past while laying the foundation for the future.
Preserving the Past
The heritage structures remind us that architecture is not only about creating space but are living chronicles hence, Preservation and restoration are vital for safeguarding our shared history. Such buildings stand as silent witnesses to the past and offer a portal to history.
Moreover, it is important to acknowledge that historic buildings project the history of the nation, culture and past way of life. The architecture of these buildings gives a character and an identification for the city thus giving a sense of place. Also, analyzing the architecture of the historical buildings’ architectural concepts, use of traditional building materials and design creates a deeper understanding for architects to understand the diverse cultural traditions and architectural languages thus enabling them to create diversified buildings that resonate with diverse communities. Therefore, tearing down these buildings will bring down the character of the city. Therefore, preserving and restoring our heritage is a collective responsibility for safeguarding our cultural identities and history. Failing to restore structures such as Hawa Mahal or Parthenon will not only destroy the building but also the knowledge it encompasses along with it.
Preserving and restoration are beyond just repairing mortar and stone. By protecting our architectural wonders we ensure that future generations will witness history and can continue to learn and build upon the narratives of the past. With the help of safeguarding we honor the past and provide a foundation for the future.
References:
- https://acropolis-greece.com/
- https://smarthistory.org/
- https://www.hawa-mahal.com/
- https://ncf.nic.in/
