MRS-PTU organised Expert Lecture on Sikh Architecture…
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
The Giani Zail Singh School of Architecture (GZSSA), Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRS-PTU), Bathinda organised an expert lecture on “Sikh Architecture” for the students of Architecture department.
The key speaker was Dr. Karamjit Singh Chahal, Professor of Architecture at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar. He holds a PhD degree from GNDU for his research on the topic “Understanding Sikh Architecture through Sikh Shrines in East Punjab”.
Dr. Chahal began his lecture by quoting, “Amongst all the religions of the world, Sikhism is the youngest one and yet Sikh Architecture remains a field very less researched”. He educated the students about how the Sikh history revolves around Sikh shrines, the structure narrates the making, destruction, and remaking throughout the history. The architectural vocabulary also changed with time and reign of various people. In general, the spaces were encapsulated in strict spatial order in both Hindu and Muslim architectures. Due to missing encapsulated forms for the different spaces, the Sikh architecture defines itself as non-encapsulating architecture. The architectural forms were simulated in quiet a different manner. The Sikh architecture got a different dimension added to the philosophy.
Dr. Chahal also discussed during his lecture, how structure, design and built forms of “Gurudwaras” have evolved over the years beginning from the misl period to current day and date including examples ranging from Anandpur Sahib, Kiratpur Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Amritsar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Khadoor Sahib and various others.
Dr. Singh concluded the lecture quoting that “New architecture styles get inspired by the prevailing architectural styles and don’t get imported elements as alien, both existing and new elements contribute equally to better aesthetics of structures. It is possible that Sikh Architecture owed many of its features to the Rajasthan and Mughal prototypes”.
The event via online mode was organized under the guidance of Head of the Department, Prof. (Dr.) Bhupinder Pal Singh Dhot, Ar. Kanishka Kurdaand and Ar. Sukhman Chawla.
MRS-PTU organised Expert Lecture on Sikh Architecture…A brief interactive session with the students was also organised. Ar. Sukhman Chawla presented a vote of thanks.
Prof. Buta Singh Sidhu, Vice Chancellor of the University and Dr.) Gurinder Pal Singh Brar, the Registrar of the University appreciated the efforts and motivated the students to continue the practice of learning the various aspects of history of architecture.
October 10,2022
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