Author: Bahga Sarbjit, bahga Surinder, Bahga, Yashinder
Place: New Delhi
Publisher: Galgotia Publishing Company
Year: 1997
Pages: 151
ISBN: 81-85989-05-2
Subject: Architecture
Sub-Subject: Modern Architecture
Keyword: Modern Indian Architecture, Post-Independence India, Architectural Identity, Cultural Expression, Individualism
Shelf: C9R4
Accession No: B1621
Contents: Foreword, Introduction, Architects Represented, Home Sites, The Metamorphosis of the Indian House, Musings in Brick, Poetry of Stone, Reflections in Stucco, The Mystique of Nature, Drama of Slopes, Notes, Glossary, Select Bibliography, Index
Abstract: *”Neu Indian Homes”* explores the evolution of modern Indian architecture, particularly the middle-class home, as a symbol of the nation’s identity post-independence. It reflects the search for an architectural expression that is uniquely Indian, navigating the tensions between the waning Mughal and British influences and the influx of the International style. Over fifty-one homes, including nine designed by their architects, showcase the collective struggle to define Indian architecture in a contemporary context. The homes presented are not merely functional structures but individual statements embodying the aspirations and dreams of their inhabitants. These designs, emerging in the 1960s, represent a shift from colonial-era buildings to spaces infused with an “Indian spirit,” reflecting the desires and ideals of India’s elite. These homes, while not representative of the masses, serve as metaphors for the broader hopes of a society in transition. The work of these architects is seen as a poetic vision of the future—a “paradise within our grasp.” The book underscores that these architectural efforts, although individual in nature, collectively contribute to India’s broader cultural narrative and offer a unique contribution to the world’s architectural discourse.