LIVING LANDSCAPES

Evoking the Sounds and Scents of Monsoon in the Gardens of Rajasthan

Illustrated lecture by Prof. Priyaleen Singh, Dept. of Architectural Conservation, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

Followed by a panel discussion
Panelists: Prof. Narayani Gupta, historian and author; and Dr. Rima Hooja, Managing Trustee, Jaipur Virasat Foundation

Coordinator and Moderato: Anuj Srivastava, architect, writer and photographer

The Rajput gardens of the 17th and 18th centuries, in capturing the spirit of the monsoon, through sound, scents and visual displays have much to inform and instruct design today. In enhancing the imagery of the monsoon, they convey a valuable message on ecology. Water was harnessed and displayed in a manner where with a small amount of water, all the waters of the world could be brought to mind. The presentation will expand on the above and through a few conservation projects illustrate how it is still possible to evoke the sounds and scents of monsoon in these neglected historic gardens