DIMAPUR, JANUARY 29 (MExN): The Global Open University Nagaland (TGOUN) in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi and the Society for Cultural Heritage for North East India is hosting a 2 Day National Seminar and Photographic Exhibition on Eastern Himalayan Domestic Architecture in India’s North East.
The event is scheduled to be held at the Dimapur Campus of the university at Sodzulhou village located at 7th Mile, Dimapur on February 5 and 6.
A press note from the TGOUN said that the Eastern Himalayan Region and the region extending towards the north eastern region of India bordering Burma in east, is a home of numerous tribes, who have traditionally developed indigenous technology covering varied features for their traditional housing patterns for dwelling.
The National Seminar will be attended by research scholars from the states of the North East, the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi and Guwahati Circle, and the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi.
Swiss scholar Dr Heidi med Tacier, from Zurich, Switzerland, will also attend the National Seminar as a Distinguished Guest of the National Seminar.
A concept note for the seminar said that the distinctive features of the region have imparted to this region a unique identity, which has still to be evaluated in the pan-Indian context. In this context, the domestic architecture of this region calls for particular attention.
The domestic architecture evolved through time immemorial by the people of this region is vividly reflected in multiform house patterns and planning concepts, conditioned by the quintessential traditions, customs, beliefs, and practices, it stated. The prevailing geophysical and climatic conditions have played pivotal role in the choice of material, structural parameters and the selection of site for constructing dwelling units.
Scholars participating in the seminar will be presenting papers to cover different aspects of domestic architecture in the eastern Himalayan region, covering the states of Sikkim, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Mizoram and Darjeeling in the pan-Indian context. In the seminar, different factors responsible for the development of locality-specific distinctive form of architecture will be thoroughly probed in the geophysical and socio-cultural contexts to bring out characteristic features of the local architectural peculiarities.
The broad topics to be covered in the seminar include: History, Science and Technology of Domestic Architecture of Himalayan region; Building materials and house types: secular and religious buildings; Religious, cultural and traditional beliefs system related to the construction of house; Geographical, climatic and security considerations for houses; Features of domestic architecture of the Himalayan region; Astrological and totemic considerations; Housing patterns, impact of the social stratification in location and architecture; Community life and village layout pattern; Lay out and planning of houses; Traditional crafts and their relevance to architecture; and Domestic architecture and its impact on environment.
The seminar will also include a photographic exhibition on the domestic architecture of the North East region to draw the attention of the intelligentsia of this region to its importance in contemporary times and to promote cultural awareness on the vital issue of sustainability of the traditional culture and heritage of this unique region, said the concept note.
