Mudit Agrawal

A/3067/2017
IV-A
31st May, 2021

Vastu-Shastra: The Past, Present and Future of Architecture in India

Vastu Shastra is Vedic architecture that enables energy flows based on geo-magnetic and
cosmic energy flows, locations and directions. While Qi Gong and Feng Shui are Chinese and
Reiki, Japanese, Vastu Shastra is from ancient India. Vastu, or 'dwelling', is based on the five
elements—the Panchabhutas or Panchtattvas—as laid down in the Yoga-shastra. Keith
Critchlow has said that sacred geometry reveals the connection between architecture and the
nature of existence, and that these patterns guide the mind away from appearances to the
unity in nature and underlying reality.

The onset of Post-modernism in Western countries was reflected in brightly coloured

building facades and ornamentation, a huge fraction of which featured pasted columns and
pilasters, Greek pediments among others. In India, ornamentation in the post-modernism era
was open for interpretation; Hafeez Contractor used French and continental villa features in
his buildings, whereas Charles Correa, B.V. Doshi and Raj Rewal used historical symbolism
to create what they called an “Indian” design. Charles correa, in his design of the Jawahar
Kala Kendra, the Centre for Arts and Crafts, Jaipur, designed the building using a grid of 9,
based on the texts of Vastu-Shastra.

Until recently, experts have viewed much of the Indian ancient art and architecture, with its
symbolism, as simply decorative. Minimal attempt was made to see how this ancient study
might be helpful for us to understand the nature we live in. Instead of looking for the science
behind these arcane studies and texts, Vastu-Shastra has become a source of ridicule. In
recent times, phony pundits have made it a booming business, of scaring people into making
expensive choices regarding their homes and buildings.

The main objective of the research would be understanding how the past can influence the
future, that is, trying to understand if Vastu can be or more accurately should be used in our
future endeavours as architects. How Vastu has played an important part of architecture in
India and still continues to do so?
Questions to be addressed:

 The actual science and reasoning behind the teachings of Vastu-Shastra.

 Understanding the impact of Vastu-Shastra on architectural practice in India.
 The significance of the teachings of Vastu-Shastra in modern and contemporary
architecture.
 How the knowledge of the Vastu-Shastra can be used moving forward.

References:

 Mekhala Sengupta (2016) ‘VASTU SHASTRA: Revisiting the Ancient, Arcane and
Esoteric Science of India’, India International Centre Quarterly, 43(2), pp. 160–173.
 Ritu Bhatt (2001) ‘Indianizing Indian Architecture: A Postmodern Tradition’,
Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review, 13(1), pp. 43–51.
 P.K. Acharya (1917) ‘Manasara Vastusastra, the Basic Text on Architecture and
Sculpture’, Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, xxiii(i), pp. 1–18.
doi: 10.1080/sarf.120009.202709.002.