FRAME is a biennial professional conclave curated by Matter, Goa. The intention of the event is to surface issues and concerns related to the pedagogy and practice of architecture in India.

This year the conclave undertook the issue of ‘Modern Heritage’ from 16-18 August 2019. It sought to discuss the history of modern architecture in India from 1935-1995. This was the time when, with the country’s independence and the promise of new democracy, designers in India were looking to formulate a system of design that was rooted in the physical and metaphysical realms of India but also that aimed to touch on international modernism. The aim was to create a unique modernity for the country and not mimic our past, to create a new skyline but also confront the rich history. It is important to acknowledge this legacy and the movement that still shapes our contemporary lives.

The three-day event witnessed a wide range of speakers from across the country and the sub-continent. They covered topics ranged from the history and genesis of modern architecture of India to the role of politics in shaping it, the architects who laid the foundation of the modern style to the hidden architectural gems of the said period. Another key aspect spoken about was the establishment of design education (National Institute of Design) that was indeed a modern step in the world of education for our country. The works of architects like Habib Rehma, Achyut Kanvinde, Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn, Charles Correa, Hasmukh Patel, B.V Doshi, Laurie Baker, Geoffery Bawa and Mazharul Islam were discussed along with structural engineer Mahendra Raj who had worked with most of the aforementioned architects and helped realise their designs to reality. The conclave also saw extensive discussions about how Gandhi and Nehru were the instigators and initiators of the modernity we witness today. A series of movies and documentaries further enriched the conclave.

This event helped me delve into:

• Origins of modernity in India
• The social, political, and economic background that acted as catalysts to this movement in our country
• Works of various architects who created a modern Indian architectural style

It was upsetting to know that some of the buildings discussed no longer stand tall as they are pulled down to be replaced by contemporary designs and structures. The destruction of these buildings was at times, due to structural weakness over time, lack of use or just political interference in the name of building a new nation. On the one hand, it is troubling to see the works done by the masters of Indian Modern Architecture and hold value in the country and worldwide are stripped down to be replaced and on the other hand one cannot entirely deny the life of the material of construction in question. How can one balance between the ‘need’ and the ‘want’ is a question that awaits an answer.

This exposure helped me gain insight to how the modern architecture that we admire and inspire from came into being. The conference also helped me broaden my horizon on this subject and introduced different perspectives on how modernity in India could be perceived.

India is essentially known for the Hindu, Indo-Islamic or the Indo-Saracenic architecture, and that is how our Heritage is also defined. It is time that modern Indian architecture is also considered heritage. It is important to introduce the history of Indian Modern Architecture, the architecture they see and use in the contemporary time, to students to help them understand how the master architects moulded the learnings from international modern architecture into an Indian context.