Architecture exhibition ‘Learning from Puran Dhaka’ underway at Alliance Française de Dhaka
The architecture exhibition titled ‘Learning from Puran Dhaka: Exploring the Future of Living Heritage’ is under way at the La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was held at Alliance Française de Dhaka on Friday, February 16, 2024.
Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh; the European Union ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley; Italian ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro; Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh Chargé d’Affaires Thijs Woudstra and Institute of Architects Bangladesh president Professor Dr Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Puran
Dhaka: Exploring the Future of Living Heritage is the outcome of a two-week
architectural research study by a group of architecture students from the
universities of ENSA, Paris la Villette; BUET, Dhaka; BVCOA, Navi Mumbai;
C.A.T., Trivandrum; and Mokpo University, South Korea.
They split into several working groups to investigate endangered heritage, circular economy, urban agriculture, innovation as part of traditional activities, informal sectors, public space distribution, and corporate culture in Puran Dhaka.
Amid its rapid growth, Dhaka risks losing its architectural and living heritage. An intricate relationship exists between Puran Dhaka and the river Buriganga, and this field workshop will explore this relationship and highlight the various aspects of living heritage still thriving in the old labyrinths of the city.
A
team of 44 students and 12 mentors worked together to map and document these
aspects of the old city. This study encompasses various elements, including the
evolution of Bara Katra from a residential area in Mughal times to an economic
hub for the neighbourhood, albeit losing its original purpose.
It explores the hierarchy of public open spaces in the Armanitola neighbourhood and delves into the traditional craft of ‘Shankhari’ bangle-making by learning from Shankhari artisans.
Moreover, it examines the preservation of Bangla culture in Tanti Bazar, where the sheen of gold contributes to the swift transformation of the built heritage.
The study also highlights the enduring literary and cultural legacy in Bangla Bazar, the presence of ‘Gol Talab’ as a rare oasis in densely populated Puran Dhaka, and the changes in the mansions of Zamindars in Mongolabash.
Finally,
it delves into the wood-to-paper connections in the Farashganj neighbourhood.
The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was followed by a performance art titled ‘Gaaner Kuli’.
The
exhibition will be open to all from 3:00pm to 9:00pm at La Galerie till Friday,
February 23, 2024.
