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NEWS & HAPPENINGS
REFLECTIONS OF REALITY
Department of Architecture of Kathmandu Engineering
College and Association of KEC Architecture (AKAR)
organized a two day workshop on ‘Vaastu’, an ancient science
of architecture, on 2 nd and 3 rd January 2006. The workshop
was conducted by Prof. Bharat Bhushan Puri, a Vaastu scholar
of more then 35 years who has published several books and
has delivered lectures on the subject all over the world.
VAASTU INSIGHT
Jasutara Art Foundation, a social service organization
under the auspices of VOITH Group, organized an
exhibition of paintings by the talented seven artists of
Kasthamandap Art Studio in New Delhi from December
10-14, 2005. Held at the India Habitat Center, the show
was sponsored by APCA Group and inaugurated by H.H
Maharani Yasho Raje Laxmi of Jammu and Kashmir.
On display were Asha Dangol’s bold but meditative works
inspired from folk art, Erina Tamrakar’s hauntingly
beautiful depictions of feminine expressions, Pradip
Bajracharya’s rich canvases based on traditional sources,
Bhairaj Maharjan’s warmly portrayed paintings focusing
on the hidden mystique of
womanhood, Binod Pradhan’s
intriguing works conveying an
intense search for spirituality, and
Pramila Bajracharya’s lovingly
rendered landscapes brought to
life by the subtle play of colour
and light. An exhibition such as
this is a fine medium to showcase
Nepal’s rich culture of art and
crafts and the organizers need to
be complimented. S
To a question regarding elevation development through
Vaastupurusha Mandala, Prof. Puri informed that the Vaastu
applied in Nepalese Malla architecture is more precise and
advanced than that practiced in India. In Malla architecture,
elevation is developed with respect to the plan based on
Vaastupurusha Mandal, while there is very little discussion on
this subject in Vaastu practiced in India. He added that despite
Vaastu Shastra having originated in India, its practise could
not continue during the Muslim era and this gap of hundreds
of years hindered the progress of Vaastushastra, while in the
case of Nepal, such was not the case.
Prof. Puri emphasized that Vaastu is a complete science - one
that deals with terrestrial and bio magnetology, climatology
and stability of forms. He pointed out similarities of Vaastu
with modern building technology as, for example, both of these
sciences recommend square plans. Inaugurated by chairman of
Kathmandu Engineering College, Prof. Hirendra Man Pradhan,
the workshop was attended by 132 participants, among whom,
27 were practicing architects and engineers, while the rest were
students of architecture and interior design from different
universities. S
22 MAR-APR 2006 SPACES