Jawahar Kala Kendra: Contemporary Jaipur’s Art and Culture Stage

In context of contemporary Jaipur, Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) serves as its most prominent art and culture node. Situated on Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Marg in Jhalana Doongri area of the modern extensions of Jaipur, this multi-cultural art centre was established in 1993 to promote art, culture and traditions of state of Rajasthan. Interestingly, this cultural node is central to the linear stretch of JLN Marg, which itself is interspersed with institutions, recreational spaces and office complexes for most part of its length between New Gate of the walled city of Jaipur and Jawahar Circle/Patrika Gate.

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Bridges Over Yamuna in Delhi

Seen here is a view of under-construction Signature Bridge. It lies downstream of Wazirabad barrage and is the latest bridge, over river Yamuna in Delhi, to be opened for public use.

River Yamuna enters Delhi at its northern border with the state of Haryana. The location of entry is known as Palla. The river flows 48 kilometres in Delhi before leaving from the southern border at Okhla barrage. First 26 km of river’s flow in the city-state are unobstructed, free from pollution too. Wazirabad barrage is the first obstruction to flow of the river in the city, it is also a major catchment for municipal supply within the city. Further 22 km flow of Yamuna in Delhi is impeded by urban activities including extensive bridging of the flood plain, discharge of treated and untreated sewerage flows.

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Gateway To Nagaland

To Tree Or Not To Tree

The older trees that have become huge impressive entities on the street was planted when width and uses of the street were very different. They are now found in the middle of the road, very likely to get cut as they poses problem to the growing traffic of Ahmedabad. They present a challenge for design of the public realm.
Note: There are many instances where design appears to fail, where people through their use or behaviour subvert or reject design intentions, in the public realm that remains in plain sight and goes unnoticed by most of us in everyday life. This study revolves around and maps out instances where trees become the anchor point to interpret the correlation between the design intentions and behaviour of various users of public spaces. The study focused on the 3 km stretch from University Road to Navrangpura Gam in Ahmedabad.

Trees in the city play an important role, they are widely distributed from the middle of the road, on the pavement, in between the boundary walls. They are living landmarks that define space, contribute to air quality, and connect us to nature. Despite their ubiquity, most of us take trees for granted and know little of their civic virtues. The photo essay looks at the problems and possibilities of the trees in structuring the public realm of a street. In what way they are considered a liability by the designer while an opportunity, to inhabit, appropriate and exploit spaces they create, by the users in various ways. Continue reading “To Tree Or Not To Tree”

Save The Neck!

Save the neck! Todas are tribal people in Ootacamund who still follow their culture in a more sacred way but live as poor as a church mouse. Their pragmatic way of building their huts with eco-friendly material withstands even the harsh and torrid cold winds of the Nilgiri mountains. Todas are melodious singers and poets too. It is said they were the first people to settle Ooty before British. Their villages were called Munds, hence the name Ootacamund and later Ooty. Now their culture and living are witnessing ruination due to lodging settlements. We must all go for the broke before it's all lost if we want to save. #urbanprecis #sustainability #society #culture #tradition #vernacular #origins #India #urban #ooty Photo – Sarojini Sampath (@sarojini_sampath)

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