Experts for conservation of Sikh architectural heritage

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 14

Experts stressed on the need for conservation and proper documentation of the Sikh architectural heritage, during the second virtual session on historic perspectives held today as a part of the International Symposium on Sikh Architecture. It has been organised by the Saakaar Foundation, Chandigarh.

Dr Harveen Bhandari, Deputy Dean of Chitkara School of Planning & Architecture introduced the theme of the session.

Dr Balvinder Singh, former professor of Guru Nanak Dev University, who made a presentation titled as ‘Conservation of Sikh Architectural Heritage’, opined that to protect the Sikh architectural heritage, regular inspection and documentation of heritage buildings and areas should be maintained as a priority.

“At the government-level, the concept of listed buildings and heritage areas need to be introduced with legal backing,” he said.

Dr Subhash Parihar, a well-known name in the historical research on architecture of the North-Western India, spoke on the ‘Architecture of Faridkot’. He said, “During the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century, the Punjab architecture remained ignored. I have attempted to cover Faridkot for this purpose.”

Acclaimed architects Pervaiz Vandal and his wife Prof Sajida Vandal from Lahore, Pakistan delivered talks on work of legendary architect Bhai Ram Singh.

Architect Pervaiz said, “The North-West of the subcontinent India is Punjab, a land of many faiths and people but linked together in Punjabi Language and Culture. Architecture is one expression of the regional culture of the area. Bhai Ram Singh is the first architect of the region to bring together a synthesis of the Western and the local architecture, giving distinct meaning to Punjab architecture. Recognition and study of his work is essential to delineate the present-day expressions of architecture in Punjab.”