islamic architecture literature reviews
TRANSCRIPT
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SPIRITUAL ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA LITERATURE REVIEWSIslamic Architecture [ ARC60803 ]
Surayyn Selvan | 0309818
APA REFERENCE PAPER TITLE METHODOLOGY MAIN TOPIC(S)OF DISCUSSION
CONTENT
Vardia S. (2008). Building Science ofIndian Temple Architecture( MscDissertion, Universidade do Minho).Retrieved November 5, 2014, fromhttp://http://www.msc-sahc.org/upload/docs/new.docs/2008
_SVardia.pdf
Building Science of IndianTemple Architecture
Archivalresearch
Literary Works
Theoreticalinvestigations
The paper focuses onthe philosophical andpractical aspects of theconstruction of a Hindutemple and how ithelped to influence its
form and evolution.
The paper begins with the origins ofHinduism and how it led to the castesystem. It discusses how thatBuddhism was the sole contributor tomonumental architecture in South
Asia. It also states that the main
purpose of a temple is to link man toGod as well as functioning as a centrefor intellectual and artistic life. Thepaper then discusses the similarelements of a Hindu temple inSanskrit despite the differing forms. Italso discusses the materials usedsuch as timber, brick and plaster andlater on excavated stone as well asthe evolution of the forms due togeographical, climatic, cultural and
linguistic differences. The paper alsodiscusses the characteristics and thedistinct features of the Nagara styletemples in the North as well as theDravidian style temples of the South,
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such as the sikharas and thegopurams. The geometry of the Hindutemples based on Hindu cosmologyand the Vastupurashamandala, whichis the system of proportion based onthe idea of a square as the supremegeometric form was also discussed.The process of laying out a Hindutemple based on the Mandala wasstated as well. The paper alsohighlighted the trabeated system,which is an arrangement of pillars andpilasters to achieve stability, and thecorbelling system, which was used to
create the interior spaces of a templeas well as the structural componentssuch as the base, walls, thesupporting elements, thesuperstructure as well as themandapa. The construction of theHindu temple was also discussedthrough its stages. Finally, adimensional analysis was done forthe, the Nagara and Dravidian styles.
Sears, T. (2008). Constructing the
Guru: Ritual Authority andArchitectural Space in Medieval India.The Art Bulletin,Vol. 90(No. 1), Pp.7-31. Retrieved November 5, 2014,from
Constructing the Guru:
Ritual Authority andArchitectural Space inMedieval India
The major focus of the
article was theinfluence of the guruson the developmentand the maintenanceof the temples.
The article begins by discussing the
roles of Mathas in the religiousinstitutions. The article then discussesa matha in Chandrehe. It thenhighlights the idea of a matha being aresidential seat of a guru who was
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http://www.jstor.org/stable/view/20619586
responsible for initiating andinstructing disciples towards the pathto liberation. The interior spaces ofmathas were usually adorned with
sacred texts. The layout of mathaswas also discussed as toaccommodate a range of ritualactivities. The article then discusseshow the matha transformed into anashrama, which was a hermitage.Much like a hindu temple, thedoorway leading up to the interior ofthe matha was traditionallyornamented with sets of divinities.
The paper then discusses thesymbolism of the deities carved onthe entrance. It then discusses theplanning of the interior spaces toaccommodate rituals and dailyactivities. The paper also discusseshow a space should be used forrituals by analyzing the size, formatand placement of the space. Finally, itthen states that a guru in a matha isto Shiva in a temple, which basically
meant that the matha was used tohighlight the gurus position.
Ray, H. (2009). The Shrine in EarlyHinduism: The Changing SacredLandscape. The Journal of Hindu
The Shrine in EarlyHinduism: The ChangingSacred Landscape
The main focus of thisarticle is the evolutionof a temple from its
The article begins by discussing thedevelopment of Indian architecture inIndia through the study of monuments
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Studies,(2), 76-96. RetrievedNovember 5, 2014, fromhttp://jhs.oxfordjournals.org/content/2/1/76.full.pdf
discovery to thepresent, highlightingthe traditional links ofpolitical legitimization
and the emergence ofState in ancient India.
and inscriptions due to the lack ofhistorical texts. It then discusses thecharacteristics of Dravidian temples. Itthen states that temple architecture is
defined as imageries of politicalpatronage. The article then discussesthe methodologies in understandingthe temple architecture throughutilization of ancient scriptures andthrough personal communication. Thearticle then highlights the functions oftemples in ancient Indian historythrough the socio-economic scope.From archeological records, shrines
were used to house deities andreligious inscriptions. It thendiscusses the archeological findingsof temples such as the purusamedha,a fire altar. The article then highlightsthe roles of terracotta figurines indomains of diverse ritual practices.The patronage of temples was alsodiscussed due to the debate oftemples being associated with royalty.Inscriptions on temple walls and
pillars were also discussed. Finally,the article then discusses the idea ofHinduism as a cultural identity duringthe pre-colonial period.
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Geva, A., & Mukherji, A. (2007). AStudy of Light/Darkness in SacredSettings: Digital Simulations.International Journal of Architectural
Computing,5(3), 507-521. RetrievedNovember 5, 2014, from CumulativeIndex of Computer Aided
Architectural Design.
A Study of Light/Darknessin Sacred Settings: DigitalSimulations
Digital daylightsimulations
Comparisons ofsimulations to theIES guidelines
The main focus of theresearch is the study oflight and darkness indramaticizing the
spiritual states and themoods of a user in asacred space.
The paper begins by discussing therole of light in enriching the innerspiritual experience. It then discussesthe symbolic use of daylighting in
sacred architecture. It then highlightsthe lighting techniques that aid in theexperience of being connected toGod. The paper also discusses therole of lighting in Hindu temples. Thecenter of a temple is usually dark toprevent distractions from theworshipers to allow God to revealhimself to the devotees. It thendiscusses how the worshippers haveto undergo different darkening spacesbefore reaching the inner sanctum.This allows the worshippers to allowthe eyes to become accustomed tothe darkness. The paper focuses onthe Brihadeshvara temple in Tanjore.
After comparing the simulations withthe IES standards, it was found thatthe strong religious lightingrequirements overruled any otherconsiderations. Natural lighting was
used in a progressive manner withinthe spaces to allow the worshippers toget used to the holy darkness withinthe inner sanctum. Besides that, thelack of light contributes to the thermal
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comfort in the temple spaces. Finally,it discussed how computer generatedmedia can examine the significance oflight and darkness in sacred
monuments, which would allow in thepreservation of architectural featuresthat relate to lighting.
Kak, S. (2005). Early Indianarchitecture and art. Migration andDiffusionAn International Journal,6(23), 6-27. Retrieved November 5,2014, fromhttp://www.cs.okstate.edu/~subhashk/EarlyArchitecture.pdf
Early Indian Architectureand Art
The main focus of thisarticle is thearchitecture, templedesign and thecentrality of recursionin Indian art of ancientIndia as well as thecontinuity between theHarappan andhistorical art andwriting.
The article begins by discussing thesacred geometry during the Harappanperiod, which included a symmetricalarrangement of rooms on a low brickplatform. It then discusses the Vedichouses in detail through the spacesthe type of housing as well as thesocial organization during the period.Then, the article discusses thecontinuity of worshipping the Goddessduring the Harappan period thoughreligious inscriptions and ancientartifacts. It then discusses the idea ofcontinuity and evolution as well as theVedic metaphors for art such as theseed that represents beginnings, thetree that united the heaven and theearth, the bindu ( point or dot ) that
geometrical shapes, notions of timeand space are apprehended as wellas the idea of jyothi ( creation throughlight ). The paper also discusses thesimilarities and comparisons of
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modern Indian scriptures as well asearly Brahmanic writings. It alsohighlights that the temple is in humanproportions as well as the layout of
the temple, which highlights thegarbhargrha. It also highlights the twostyles of temples, which are theNagara and Dravida styles. It thendiscusses the images within thetemple that represent movement andchange through the use of projection,extension and repetition. Finally, thepaper discusses the temple ritual ofself transformation, whereby thetemple is a seat of sacred teaching aswell as the seat for dance.