On temples and Memorials

We have a subject in architecture – which articulates the global “history” of the architectural development that has been imprinted on our planet. It is impossible to digest the repercussions of built environment that humanity has chosen to build, modify, transform.

To know what we are dealing with, we need to understand effects of environment on our thoughts (survival instincts) and our responses to the environment in terms of architecture (shelter), food and clothing. We can gauge the recurring tendencies that are present in us and will continue to inform our future visions of built environment.

Interesting as this journey of recap is, it also entails an enormous amount of dedication and perseverance from the Scholar to realize these comprehensive connections at a global level and across generations.

In examples of building typologies that still talk about our past, we see ‘temple’ (space of worship); ‘memorial’ (commemorating the Dead) and ‘palaces’ (House of Kings/ political Space) as the chief remains of civilizations. Weren’t there any other building typologies prevalent? Of course there were many, but probably they haven’t stood the impact of Time. Whatever we know of our past, we can only decode in terms of above prominent remains.

Which begs the question – why have above typologies lasted so long and what do they signify about us? As far as temple spaces are concerned – we are dealing with the idea of sacredness, which is not just purity, but the entire idea of dependence/impermanence/ control/cosmos/ environment. A temple, is an artistic expression of the dimension of fear-survival-evolution. We may not realize the idea of ‘fear’ in contemporary times – what with all the distractions we face (which are nothing but several masks put to conceal this primordial thought)  - but the tendency is so prevalent, that it ensures our survival. The tendency is rooted in us, and therefore, probably, much emphasis seem to have been given to “respond” to this experience in terms of architecture and many other art forms.

Similarly, humans remain attached to an enormous extent to their environment. This is an extension of above tendency to cling on something because of fear of loosing out a part of self. Therefore, we can’t let go of the Dead – thus, we have been involved in construction of memorials for many generations.

The transcendental aspects and the memory – probably these two have remained the strongest of our subconscious tendencies – probably the two ends of the spectrum.

The third category – which is about the ‘palace’ draws our attention to structures of Power that manifest at an unprecedented level in its architecture. If this is so, one should ask where are structures of Power located now? And how they are manifested now?

The fourth category, which is immediate to everyone’s experience, is the residence. And herein, we find extremely intimate dimensions of existence in the built environment. Historical records are few, ironically, and we know nothing about ordinary people of ancient civilizations.

Makes me say that the humble abode of self – (may be even a hut) is as important and monumental to be considered, as much as a grandiose temple.