My BE College & Architecture

My BE College & Architecture
Asesh Maitra, 1964 Architecture & Planning

Although it may be surprising, that at the time of India’s independence from the colonial rules in 1947, there was no academic institution in India who were empowered to award a Bachelor’s Degree of Architecture. JJ College of Art, in Bombay was able to award a Diploma in Architecture, which was equivalent to the Intermediate of RIBA. Delhi College of Engineering offered a Diploma course in Architecture, which made them fit to serve as draftsmen. This was a part time course for 7 years.

In a country which was building skyscrapers for more than 1000 years, the heritage of Indian Architecture was traditionally treated with disrespect. For the sake of comparison, majority of Gopurams in Southern India exceeded 80 meters in height. Compare this with Qutub Minar 73m and Statue of Liberty 93m. and Statue of Nelson 52m in London. Yet architects from UK, Holland, Italy were imported to build majority of public buildings, which gave birth to hybrid Indo European architecture. Many of the palaces of Rajahs, Nawabs, Zaminders etc. all were designed and built under their supervision. Interestingly, Victoria Memorial, in Kolkata Maidan was constructed entirely by the money raised by her Indian subjects, the architect came from England, who attempted to provide a building to challenge the Taj Mahal (?).

The impetuosity was compounded, when Lutyens was commissioned to build the Imperial Capital in Delhi. He, apparently, was advised by the Viceroy to study Indian buildings. It is rumoured, that he did not find anything worth in the tradition of Indian architecture.

Therefore, it became imperative to educate and train Indian architects after independence. Bengal Engineering College started the course offering Bachelor of Architecture by Calcutta University in 1949. Thus, the first batch of Graduate Architects with a B. Arch degree came out in1954. This was followed by several other institutions. NASA (National Association of Students of Architecture) was formed who provided a forum for students and teachers. Now, in today’s scenario, in order to manage the vast number of colleges, several zonal NASA have been formed. In order to regulate the profession, Architects Act has been promulgated. Architects always enjoy a unique position among the building professionals, with an International Union of Architects, where IIA is a member.

We joined the course in Architecture in 1959, i.e. a decade after its inception, with a strength of 20 students. We were housed in Heaton Hall, which was originally reserved for non-Hindu students. The ground floor was reserved for Army articles, which was guarded by the Army. After 10pm you would be challenged by a blood chilling Hukamdar, which meant Who comes there, and you have to put up your arms and say Friend. This formality gave us a distinction. However, the first night introduced us to a blood chilling experience. After midnight, we woke up to barbaric shouts, and a group of senior students threw us out of the beds, and kicked us downstairs. We were so mesmerised by the turn of events that we followed their commands like sheep. We were herded into the front lawn, made to undress and roll on the long grass. Small cuts and bruises appeared. We were so frightened that we forgot to protest. And then appeared our saviour, a portly well-rounded man of medium height took charge. Made this marauding mob to retreat, took us to toilets where we showered, cleaned the mud and dirt, first aid was administered. We put on fresh clothes and looked like a semblance of human being. This gentleman, we found out was Durga Basu, President of the Student body, also a student of 5th Year Architecture. We were so grateful to Durga’da, and we resolved that this practice of ragging must be stopped and shall not be done by us. Although, occasional incidents did take place, on the whole, mass ragging was stopped. Credit must go to Durga’da, a student of Architecture.

A File Photo of Students with Prof. Buckminster Fuller

In contrast to the barbaric introduction, the Fresher’s Reception organised in the evening was so civilised that we were overwhelmed. A portion of the floor was cleared, and a platform was made. After a brief introduction we were asked to introduce ourselves. You could sing, dance, recite or whatever. You shall suffer mild heckling, but no physical provocations. Our seniors also introduced themselves. Evening ended with a bonhomie. From that day onwards we became like siblings. This bond continues till today, I mean for the last 60 years.

1956, was a landmark year. As B.E College completed it’s 100 years. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was invited. He also felicitated our institute’s the first Lady Engineer, our Ila-di, Ila Majumdar. In order to commemorate, the event of centenary celebration, a Gate was designed and built, known as Centenary Gate by the students of the Department of Architecture, under the guidance of the faculty. If my memory is correct Professor Sacriste supervised the design and construction of our main gate. This is the main Gate to the Campus. When you move on further to the campus, you see another steel structured gate, from the very beginning it is popularly known as Bending Moment Gate. All these stands even today.

From the very beginning, the Department of Architecture was blessed by three outstanding American teachers. Prof, Joseph Allen Stein, Prof Eduardo Sacriste, and Prof J.A. Cordes. Prof Stein stayed back and contributed number of memorable buildings. An area of New Delhi is affectionately called Steinabad because all buildings in this area of New Delhi has been designed by Stein. While teaching in School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi (SPA) I had close interaction with Prof Stein only on the strength of being a student of BE College. Prof. Sacriste had started the Urban Design course in SPA in 1963-64. At that time, I was working with Mr. Jugal Kishore Chowdhuri. Few evenings I could manage to meet him. He had trunk full of slides, which he prepared during his stay in B.E. College. We would discuss these slides. A series was on making a Durga Murti. He had gone into the details of soil, the quality of hay, the bamboo, how the load distribution was achieved, etc. etc. Listening to him was a learning experience.

In 1962, world famous Buckminster Fuller came, and he experimented with bamboo as material for constructing Geodesic domes. We as students were used as construction labour. These domes are featured in his book, with our photographs. More domes were made as exhibition halls for the Annual BE College. Architecture Department featured prominently in B E College cultural calendar. Shovanlal Bonnerjee was the editor of the Magazine. Devi Mullick was a celebrated singer.

Academically, B.E. College was at the forefront. Rubens Trophy, best performing architectural college, all 5 year’s evaluation which is awarded for the overall performance, was won by the Department consistently. It was a talisman to judge the department’s credibility and performances. Our department is now in its 70+th year. During this period architectural schools all over the world has undergone many changes. New concerns on managing habitat has emerged. Instead of taking advantage of the intellectual frontiers that BE College offers, the Department has been shunted in a new location, divorced from the mainstream of scientific community. I was told that this was forced upon by the COA. If B.E. College Department of Architecture wants to regain its place as a premier institute, a thorough rethinking is called for.

Timeline photo: Batch of Architecture students, 1967