Author: K Kalpana
Frank Schiffer/
Editor(s): K Kalpana / Frank Schiffer
Publisher: INTACH
Year: 2003
Language: English
Pages: 348
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8190164007
Description
Several Indian cites that were born as a result of colonization, served as showcases of the power of the coloniser, manifest in huge buildings, wide roads, large green parks and other infrastructure. Their architecture, though early on a pure model of established Classical and other European styles, eventually gave way to a refined combination of strong local traditions. Madras, one of the first major seats of the British, is one such town that has grown rapidly, but unfortunately at the stake of its heritage. Its vast architectural wealth, including the fine examples of the Indo-Saracenic style- that was a marriage between the Hindu and the Islamic styles-is fast vanishing.
The chapters have been so arranged and introduced to give a clear picture of how the city grew, from its majestic beginnings at the Fort to the southern suburb of Adyar. The suggested walks cover a varied and substantial number of buildings and take one through the life of the area. Debates on the future of heritage planning and the history of built form and open spaces have been included as essays.
While on the landmark buildings we have detailed descriptions substantiated by drawings, care has also been taken to introduce briefly, residential and other smaller buildings that play an equally important role in lending character to an area. With close to 1000 photographs, every chapter has been laid out differently to capture the unique experiences of each locality.
Contents
From sandy strip to metropolis
A half millennium of church architecture in Madras
George Town –A case for urban renewal
Heritage conservation can save the city
City and public life-
History of public spaces in Chennai
Planning, plans and planning agencies
Temples of Madras city-
Sacred spaces in an urban context
A squandered heritage-The wildlife of Madras
How to use the book
About the Essayists
Foreword
Chronology
The Fort
George Town
Poonamallee High Road,
Vepery, Periamet and Purasawalkam
Mount Road, Egmore and Chintadripet
Marina and Triplicane
Mylapore and Santhome
Along the Adyar
Glossary
Bibliography
Index