CHAMPANER: THE ABANDONED CAPITAL

The city of Champaner, historically  was seized by several ruler due to its scenic backdrop and architectural importance. The history of establishment of regime dates back to 7th century A.D and subsequent & constant change of regime from 14th century A.D to 17th century A.D. The rule of Chavda Dynasty, Begda Dynasty, Mughul Dynasty and lastly the Maratha Dynasty are the testimony of its importance. The subsequent change in establishment also reduce its importance as a capital city. The present state of the Champaner appears to be the civilization on a verge of disappearance. however the listing of site on World Heritage Map has given some hope for its restoration and preservation. 

The only parallel example of Champaner that one finds in Indian Architectural History are Fatehpur Sikri and Hampi. This three example notably demonstrate the skills of architectural composition, its detailing and urban imagination. Although Champaner has been lagging behind its predecessor in its due importance. The series of worship places , minerates, entry gates, arches, fort wall, reservoirs are uniquely place in the backdrop of Pavagadh Mountain. The Champaner is also an important example of water management system that was prevailing in that time along with its architectural importance. The further excavation perhaps may reveal the palimpsest of the various layers that has shaped the city. 

The Champaner is a classical example of the city that has witnessed the subsequent change in regime as a cause of its deterioration. The disintegrated monuments are witness of the glory of past of the abandoned architectural capital.

KRVIA MASTERS: MARCH 2015

KRVIA MASTERS: OCTOBER 2015

THE OTHER CITY

This thesis brings my earlier reading on "FORMLESS URBANISM" city of Chanod. The formlessness condition that exist in the city are valuable tradition of soft urbanism and festivals are one of them. There was time in academic world that the cohesion is a formal property and essential one for cities. The uniqueness of urban form is embedded in recognition of cohesive form of the cities. The earlier theoretical account of urbanism dealt with these uniqness attached to social and cultural welfare of the cities. The role of academics and urbanity were strictly controlled by such notion. The recent trend in research is upsetting these notion of cohesion and clarity into spatial contamination of urban form. Although the built-form & architectural heritage bestows the social and cultural personality to the city, the spatial and spectacle event adds the uniqueness to the city. 

 

The thesis attempts to conceptualize  the framework of integration for  the festivals as part of everyday urbanism. The festival often proves to be dominant priority in space and time and it generates, regulates, shapes our cultural priority and social behavior. The character of built-form is in its capabilities to arrest this moment of festivity, everyday urbanism along with sensory experiences.

"This thesis looks at festivals as a tool to examine how people behave in these experience-based urban spaces .this project sees human presences and physical behavior as potentials for spatial construction of public spaces. This study is an initiative to understand the means by which meaning is added to the form, space and character of the built environment. this thesis further argues to the traditional urban design mapping system which is planning based, and experiment with new methodologies of mapping tools which can unfold festive urbanism" : Credit: Prachi Sawant

The thesis project excels in various areas which are central to research in architecture and urabnism, namely, critical framework for research question,  methodologies for mapping and representation. The thesis has skilfully demonstrated & raised the question in theorizing & research tendencies on one side and framework for performative space on other side especially in Indian urban context.

PRACHI SAWANT HAS WON THE NIASA GOLD MEDAL AT NATIONAL LEVEL,  FOR HER THESIS PROJECT OF "UNFOLDING FESTIVE URABNISM"