The Novel Dilemma by Aastha; This photomontage portrays the situation of Indian Architects after Independence with postmodern

ideas emerging, colonial style requilishing and a desire to establish an nation with style which portrays the roots.

Postmodernism Postmodernism is an architectural movement that emerged

in the 1960s as a reaction against the strict rules of modern-

and the Indian ism. It challenged the notion of a universal style and instead
embraced diversity and pluralism, drawing inspiration from
different cultures and historical periods. In India, postmod-
Landscape: ernism found a natural ally in the concept of critical region-
alism, which emphasizes the importance of local context
and culture in the design process.
A Breeding ground for Many catalysts such as end of colonial rule, political instabil-
Critical Regionalism ity and constant wars with neighbouring countries brought
a need to develop an architecture style that belongs to India
and provide a sense of belongingness, financial constraints
By Aastha Mistry
also paved the way for experimentation of vernacular ma-
terials in postmodern forms.Buildings of architects like like
Laurie Baker, Charles Correa, Anant Raje, Achyut Kanvinde
and Raj Rewal narrate the stories of socio-economical and
socio-political scenarios going on in the country.
 Postmodernism and Critical Regional-
ism are two architectural approaches
that emerged in the late 20th century,
each with their own distinct charac-
teristics and philosophical underpin-
nings. While Postmodernism sought
to reject the modernist dogma of
functionalism and embrace a more
eclectic and expressive architectural
language, Critical Regionalism sought
to reconcile modernism with local
culture and context, emphasizing the
importance of vernacular architecture
and the social and environmental im-
pact of design.
The Shroud of Identity by Aastha; With passage of time the region-
alist ideas began to be visible in the skyline of our developing nation.
Generated using Dall-E

The influence of colonialism on Indian architecture may be seen in the build-

ings and constructions constructed during the colonial period.The British in-
troduced their architectural style, which was a blend of European and Indian
architectural elements. The colonial architecture was grandiose and imposing,
designed to assert the British power and authority over India.

The colonial architecture also had a negative impact on Indian architecture.

The British architects and engineers who designed and built the colonial build-
ings in India had little regard for the local context and culture. They imposed
their architectural style on India, which led to the destruction of many tradition-
al Indian buildings and structures. The imposition of the British architectural
style also led to the loss of cultural identity in Indian architecture.

After the gain of independence in 1947 an desire to create a new modern India
that was rooted in the country’s rich cultural heritage. Many Indians felt that the
architecture of colonial era was a symbol of country subjugation to the foreign
rule, and there was a strong desire to break free from this legacy and create a
new, distinctly Indian architecture.
While the postmodernism in Foreign countries emerged as a reaction to the
modernist movement, which emphasised functionality and simplicity in de-
sign, in India under the hood of critical regionalist ideas the architecture style
developed.

The political instabilities, constant wars with neighbouring countries and the
need to create infrastructure paved a way for experimentation of vernacular
materials in postmodern forms.

Architects arose in the 1980s and 1990s, during a period of economic liberal-
isation and increased urbanisation in the country. Architects such as Charles
Correa, BV Doshi, and Raj Rewal embraced the principles of Postmodernism,
using playful forms, bright colours, and historical references to create a new
architectural language that was distinctly Indian.

Architects such as Raj Rewal and Balkrishna Doshi were exploring the princi-
ples of Critical Regionalism, seeking to reconcile modernist design with local
culture and context. Rewal’s Hall of Nations in Delhi and Doshi’s Aranya Hous-
ing Project in Indore are both examples of this approach, using local materials,
traditional forms, and spatial relationships to create buildings that reflect the
cultural and environmental context of their surroundings.

One of the most iconic examples of Postmodern architecture in India is the

Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur, designed by Charles Correa. The building’s col-
orful façade and intricate geometric pattern were inspired by traditional Rajas-
thani architecture, while its internal spaces are designed to accommodate a
variety of cultural activities, including dance, music, and theatre.

However, as India’s economy continued to grow and its cities expanded, the
limitations of these approaches became increasingly apparent. The rapid pace
of development and the pressures of globalization made it difficult for archi-
tects to strike a balance between the demands of modernity and the need to
preserve local culture and context.
The Metamorphosis by Aastha, Malana Abul Kalam Azad Tomb designed by Habib Rehman overlooking Red Fort is an prominent
example of Critical Regionalism, the tomb uses the elements of Mughal Architecture, it along with the quote by Charles Correa sum-
marises the whole movement.

In conclusion, Postmodernism and Critical Regionalism have had a profound

impact on the Indian architectural landscape, reflecting the complex interplay
between tradition and modernity, global and local, and the search for a distinct
Indian identity in a rapidly changing world. While these approaches have faced
their share of challenges, they continue to inspire and influence a new genera-
tion of Indian architects, who are charting a new course for Indian architecture
that reflects the changing needs and aspirations of the country’s people.

References:
• Sanyam Bahga, Gaurav Raheja,/An account of critical regionalism in diverse building types in postcolonial
Indian architecture,/Frontiers of Architectural Research,/Volume 7, Issue 4,/2018,/Pages 473-496,/ISSN 2095-
2635
• Re-evaluating Critical Regionalism: An Architecture of the Place/ Written by Andreea
Cutieru/https://www.archdaily.com/966401/re-evaluating-critical-regionalism-an-architecture-of-the-place
Impact of critical regionalism in Indian Architecture/Author: /Dr. Neelam Kushwah and Annie Badkul/Subject
Area: /Social Sciences and Humanities