Collaborator: Cardiff University, UK, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal and Dr Kailas M Rao, MIT, Manipal

Project Scope:Present a substantive understanding of architectural and urban evolution of the temples and towns in question, including historical restorations and reconstructions, develop a diachronic overview of the religious and ritual use of the spaces concerned, articulate the varied perceptions and narratives concerning these spaces and structures, understand material nature of the recent restorations and interventions in the temples and temples neighbourhood, analyse the sacred townscapes linking the main temples to other structures and spaces and creation of digital models to encapsulate research findings, to provide data for architectural analysis, and as a tool to elicit and express the multiple viewpoints of the community and stakeholders.

Project Brief:The project involves a holistic study of temples towns- Madurai and Kumbakonam in the state of Tamil Nadu. The scope of work covers understanding of architectural and urban evolution of the temples and towns, documentation and mapping of major temple festivals in order to understand ritual and use of spaces, interview of various stakeholders on the basis of UNESCO Fact Finding Mission (FFM) report. Further, detailed surveys (both graphic and photographic) documentation in lines of urban design and conservation. This shall project and overview of the city, including human movement during rituals and festivals, and will draw substantially from the findings as well as observation and recording of activities. The final outcome will be creation of 3D digital models of the two temple complexes.

April 2018 onward.