Death anniversary of the man who planned Chandigarh

The man who planned the “City Beautiful”, Le Corbusier, died on August 27, 59 years ago. But his legacy in India --- a handful of buildings in Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, the first planned city in India --- continues to inspire city planners and architects.

A modernist in his approach, Corbusier’s biggest contribution to Indian architecture has been the creation of a modern city, “unfettered by the past, and looking towards the future”, as was mandated by the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Nearly six decades after his death, people from all over the world continue to come to Chandigarh to see his architectural wonders, especially the Capitol Complex comprising the buildings that house the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab and Haryana Vidhan Sabha and the Main Secretariat of the two states, besides the famous Open Hand Monument, Tower of Shadows, Martyrs Monument, Geometric Hill and the Sukhna Lake.

In planning and creating Chandigarh, Corbusier was assisted by his associates Pierre Jeanneret, Edwin Maxwell Fry and Jane Beverly Drew. Eminent architect Shivdatt Sharma, who worked with Le Corbusier in the planning of Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10, recalls he was in complete awe of the genius and his fondness for geometric designs, which had logic and rationality. “He took time to allow people to come close to him, but was not rigid to suggestions. In fact, he improvised on suggestions, if it suited his design sensibilities. Working with him was very inspiring. Only those who understood his philosophy could learn by studying his work. Once he asked me the height of a wall while we were making the design layout and I replied saying 'approximately'. He told me that there was no scope for approximation in architecture. 'Measure, feel and then design', he would say, emphasising that an architect should always be exact with dimensions,” he said.

Born Charles Edouard Jeanneret on October 6, 1887, in Switzerland, his contribution to world architecture is immense, and not restricted to India alone. His work stands tall in many countries across continents. On July 17, 2016, as many as 17 of his projects, spread across seven countries, were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The uniqueness of his architecture lies in the geometric forms, use of exposed concrete on outer aspects of buildings, with minimal use of primary colours to break the monotony, symbolising both functionality and aestheticism.

Corbusier was also an accomplished painter and writer. The tapestries designed by the architect adorn the courtrooms in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Corbusier was married, but had no children. He acquired French nationality in 1930. Switzerland, where he was born, continues to honour and recognise his genius, his face appearing on the 10 Franc note.