Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, India

Jawahar Kala Kendra is an arts and crafts centre

located in the city of Jaipur. The centre is
important not because of the nomenclature but
its close association with the city of Jaipur itself.
The centre was built in the year 1986 and the
construction completed in 1991. The centre was
launched by the state government to provide
space to the cultural and spiritual values of India
and display the rich craft heritage. The centre is
dedicated to the late prime minister of India
Jawaharlal Nehru.
This cultural centre for the city of Jaipur, is
dedicated to the memory of India's great leader
Jawaharlal Nehru. Ideas for the building, sited in
an open field near the university in a new part of
the city, formed in Correa's mind; but it was not
until 1986 that the concept for the building was
finalized.
CONCEPT:
The centre is an analogue of the original
city pIan of Jaipur drawn up by the
Maharaja, a scholar, mathematician and
astronomer, Jai Singh the Second, in the mid17th century. His city plan, guided by the
ShiplaShastras, was based on the ancient Vedic
madala of nine squares or houses which
represent the nine planets (including two

imaginary ones Ketu and Rahu). Due to the

presence of a hill one of the squares was
transposed to the east and two of the squares
were amalgamated to house the palace.
Correa's plan for the Kendra invokes
directly the original navagraha or nine house
rnandala. One of the squares is pivoted to recall
the original city plan and also to create the
entrance. The plan of Jaipur city based on the
nine square Yantra in which one square is
displaced and two central squares combined. the
squares is defined by 8m high wall, symbolic of
the fortification wall along the Jaipur old city
INSPIRATION:
LAYOUT ACCORDING TO THE MANDALA
The building program has been "disaggregated"
into eight separate groupings corresponding to
the myths represented by that particular planet:
for instance, the library is located ill the
square
of
the
planet
Mercury
which
traditionally represents knowledge,
the theatres are in the house of Venus,
representing the arts.

The central square, as specified in the Vedic

Shastras, is avoid: representing the Nothing

which is Everything. The flooring pattern in

this square is a diagram of the lotus
representing the sun. City Palace, Jaipur.
The astrological symbol of each planet is directly
expressed in a cut-out opening dong its external
wall.
BROAD ACTIVITIES
The centre has been made in eight blocks
housing
museums,
theatres,
library,
arts display room,

cafeteria,
Hostel,studio
The centre is frequently occupied with artists and
arts loving people. Many exhibitions and
performances by local artists are displayed at the
centre. The annual festivals of classical dance
and music are held in the centre. The centre
hosts many workshops of dance and music.
INFERENCES:
The buildings in a contemporary
metaphorical replication of the basic plan of
the city of Jaipur, based on the vastupursh
mandala. The architect in his attempt to create
a brand image for the historical city, has tried

to get the essence of the existing form but

superficially .
The critical sustainable aspect of the
traditional architecture of Jaipur has not been
tackled well.
The place has an amazing interplay of light ,
shadow and colours, evoking emotions in the
user and invite him to move further.
The spaces flow as an narrative and changes
the moods of the user, but the over all
circulation lacks of continued covered corridor,
which makes the place unusable during
summers and rains.
The open air theatre is only good to look at,
it is enclosed by the high walls which create
acoustic and ventilation problems at the time
of crowd.
The high walls with no fenestration in the
faade makes the building enclosed and ir
does not open up to the city. however within
the building the activities are disintegrated
but combine to a heterogeneous mixture of
various cultural activities happening
individually.

Center for Museology, University of Rajasthan |

Submitted by Gaurav2
Preface
As a common perception museums represent
singular or summative identity of certain places.
Studying Museums in respect of their functions,
resources and services bringsseveral objectives
in light and may populate it among society as
well as may serve for furtherresearches.Concept
of this study is designed in such a way that it
produces as glimpse of richnessof India,
Rajasthan, Jaipur, JKK and museum establish in
JKK. Further study follows aspectsof building,
collection and display in brief.Iam thankful to Mr.
HS Meena, Director General, JKK to allow me to
study themuseum and Mr. Abdul Lateef,
Curator/In-charge Museum, JKK for his
exceptionalsupport while studying the museum. I
specially thank to Mr.Lalchand who always
helpedme to find a suitable way whenever I
visited Jaipur for any cause.

Center for Museology, University of Rajasthan |

Submitted by Gaurav3
Background of the Study
It is a fact that a nation is progressive and
developed in true sense when people areproud of
being its citizens. India is one of the ancient
nations which has survived, preservedand
propagated her culture in spite of a very hard
struggle for existence. She has survived because

of the eternal values that she has cherished and

developed since the timeimmemorial. Her culture
is a living one rooted in a living past and based
on undyingspiritual foundation, which in spite of
its ups and downs has kept the lamp of the
spirit burning.Rajasthan has identity as a state of
diverse heritage, rich culture and claims
patronageto the Indian identity of culture.
Hundreds of museums exist across the state in
severalheritage buildings, palaces and havelies.
Jawahar Kala Kendra is a Center for Culture
thatnurtures a variety of heritage within it and
considered as
Museum of Rajasthan
.Commonly museums situated in Rajasthan are
compilation of pre-existing collections
butMuseum established inside JKK is different in
one aspect as it is created through a
completemuseum process.
This brief study is a complementary
assignment for the pre-PhD courseincenter
for Museology, University of Rajasthan,
Jaipur. Study encompassesvaried aspects of
Museum, Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur,
Rajasthan.

3. Historical ideology & planning

concept Mharaja Jai Singh who built
the fabled pink city was moved by two
seemingly conflicts set of ideas. One of
them was ancient Navgrah( the module

of nine planets). Thus the pink city of

Jaipur somewhere was past of Indian
art which was later discovered by Late
shriJawaharlal Nehru thus this art
centre is dedicated to him. The plan
was prepared by the noted architect
Charles Correa in 1986 and the
building was ready in 1991. The plan is
inspired by the original city plan of
Jaipur, consisting of nine squares with
central square left open.
layoutplanThewell endowed library of
the Jawahar Kala Kendra treasures
numerous books and from the
beginning of the JKK,
thedocumentation of the Arts and
Crafts have been done by the officals of
JKK under the able guidance of
Dr.ChandramaniSingh. Ms. Singh is an
art historian and has a vast experience
in this field. Jawahar Kala Kendra also
includes a museumnamely Alankar.
This Indigenous Art and Craft
Museum showcases the art, culture
and visual heritage of
indigenousRajasthan. This museum
has been conceptualised by Mr. Abdul

LateefUsta- a Heritage expert and

Museuologist of international
repute.The whole complex is itself a
unique design & concept in the
architectural industry especially the
concept of nine squaresas Navgrah

4. Each square was linked to the

planet as per the characteristics of the
particular planet and its astrological
values and the functionality of the
square. This Navgrah concept with its
energy values their favorable colour,
quality and the favourable functionality
to the each planet with square kept in
mind while designing and allocation of
spaces. Partly open courtyards and the
traditional design elements of
Rajasthan have been incorporated in
the complex. The landscaping was also
done as per planets astrological values
in the whole complex in each square
wherever was required

Sandarbhi.e Library The whole

complex in itself has a unique design &
concept in the architectural industry,
the concept of nine squares as

Navgrah. Each square was linked to

the planet as per the characteristics of
the particular planet and its astrological
values and the functionality of the
square. This particular square was
linked with Jupiter the characteristics
were matched in such a way Linked
planet Jupiter Favorable colour lemon
yellow Quality of the planet Knowledge
Functionality allotted Library Library
view showing the Pond area and
pergola Part plan of library Favorable
colour As and when the square was
representing the planet Jupiter the
astrological value was kept in
consideration.Thefavorable colour of
this planet was lemon yellow so the
square was treated with yellow colour
in the external finishing and the water
body was added in the Library view
with full glazing partially open area to
make the environment more lively.

6. Play with light and shadowThe

second most significant feature which
was been adoptedin this particular
square was the spectacular play with

the lightand the shadow. As the the

square was partially open to skyand the
particular side had the full height
glazing in it the partial open roof was
treated with the architectural feature
pergolas.The cut out was designed in
such a way that the corridor will alwayz
remain in shade and has the pond in
corner which would reduce the effect
of the harsh sun to the library. Use of
local material The spanning between
beams was designed and kept such
that the local material available like
wooden bamboo sticks could be used
to complete the entire space frame.

7. Madhyavartii.e Open air

theatreThe theatre was located and
placed so wellin layout and planned
that the rest of 8square were well
connected to the centralopen theatre
and the best part of it were thestepped
platforms which could be used
asseating areas. The same were
surroundedby the 8m high walls and
the designstepping was incorporated in
the corners oftwo walls to make them

more interacted toeach other. Central

core open air theatre The stepping and
the walls were cladded with red
sandstone the locally available material
the theater was opening into the
library , Vehicular entrance ,gallery and
workshop as shown.

8. Tilam food courtThe food court

has been the excellentexample of the
traditional rural architectureof
Rajasthan. The structure has been
madein brick masonary then later
finished withthe mud and the roof has
been framed inMS circular pipes and
then covered withfibre sheet both
framework in MS and fibresheet have
been finished with the local puttyto give
it a rural effect. The art work on walls,
planning and the sitting arrangement
on floor baithak was designed to set
an excellent example of our rural and
cultural eithics in India Traditional art
work