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The Pioneer (India)
August 19, 2014 Tuesday
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Architectural photography of past monuments of vital importance The Pioneer (India) August 19, 2014 Tuesday
Photography provides a powerful way for architecture to be appreciated from a distance. Besides, architectural photographs enliven the memories of contemporary past. Many of the photographs from Odisha are available with the Archaeological Survey of India. These were captured by different tourists in the past. However, the structures are destroyed with the passage of time.
In the 1850s, Edouard-Denis Baldus, Hippolyte Bayard, Henri Le Secq, and Gustave Le Gray were commissioned by
the French Government to photograph historic buildings before they were destroyed during Haussmann's renovations of
Paris. There have been countless others who have contributed to this documentation of our environment, both built and
natural.
Odisha is quite rich in its heritage and houses many remarkable monuments of ancient times. Some exist in ruins and
many are totally destroyed. The photograph of this article is the representation of a massive two-storied gateway in
Bhubaneswar. This is from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections taken by William Henry Cornish in 1892.
Bhubaneswar has many Hindu temples built between the Seventh and the Thirteenth Centuries in the Odishan variant of
the Nagara or Northern Indian style of architecture. These temples normally comprise a sanctuary covered by a tall
curvilinear tower divided into horizontal bands and capped by an Amalaka and a pot finial. The square Mandap or hall
has a pyramidal roof. Most temples of Bhubaneswar are grouped around the Bindu Sagar, the tank in the middle of the
ancient town. This view shows a ruined unidentified gateway. This photograph is also available in the British Library.
Such photographs have been shared by all. However when photography didn't exist, those precious monuments couldn't be captured.
This clearly indicates that historical research and analysis is supported by photographic records. Analytical studies are
necessary to ascertain all the features of the edifice, including those which were not executed and those left unfinished
and those were destroyed. Geometric diagrams indicating modules or proportional systems and indications of design
techniques are also of the greatest interest. Old drawings and photographs may give a lot of information about the past
art forms.
Irregularities of shape and outline and damaged parts can be seen more clearly on photographs than by any other means,
hence vital for the purpose of documentation. Photographs also have many uses for publicity purposes in raising funds
for preservation of cultural property. Many historic monuments have been destroyed in warfare or by earthquake or other disasters. As an insurance against such events, full photographic records are advisable.
Photographs can revive the contemporary art and architecture of different monuments and structures which do not exist now. Their documentation will help study and research more on the contemporary art and architecture of our State.
(Dr Mayarani Praharaj works in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Pioneer. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
LOAD-DATE: August 18, 2014
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
PUBLICATION-TYPE: Newspaper
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