By: Ar. Shridevi Vinay Anavatti
Assistant Professor, MIT School of Architecture, Department of Architecture, MIT ADT University, Pune, India
The study conducted by 2nd-year architecture students from the MIT School of Architecture in Banavasi, provides a comprehensive exploration of the area’s rich historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. The focus of the study was the surroundings of Shri Uma Madhukeshwara Temple, an architectural marvel showcasing Dravidian style and intricate craftsmanship. The students examined the surrounding century-old houses, which reflect traditional building practices using local materials like laterite, stone and timber. These homes, with their sloping roofs, large verandas, and intricate woodwork, are emblematic of Karnataka’s vernacular architecture. Banavasi, one of the oldest towns in Karnataka, was the capital of the Kadamba dynasty, giving it great historical significance. The town is also known for the annual Kadambotsava festival, which celebrates its cultural heritage through various traditional performances like music festival, music concerts, folk songs performance, folk dance performance etc, and activities like bullock race, buffalo race, food fests etc.The local economy is predominantly agrarian, centered around areca nut cultivation, and processing, which the students observed firsthand. One could see the diversity of artisans involved in sandalwood carving, artistic carpentry, shoe mending, black smith, pottery and rangoli. The study tour emphasized the integration of architectural heritage with local socio-economic practices, offering valuable insights into the region’s sustainable development and conservation efforts. The event made it even more clear how crucial it is to protect Banavasi’s architectural and cultural heritage for upcoming generations. Based on the study, the architectural design studio was conducted in designing a Agro based Areca nut processing unit at Banavasi, as a part of minor project.
Banavasi, Madhukeshwar temple, Architectural tour, Arecanut processing, Kadambotsava
Citation:
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