Lucknow: A group of 80 second-year students from the Faculty of Architecture and Planning at Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow, paid a heartfelt tribute to India’s legendary architect Balkrishna Vithaldas Doshi by creating a massive mural at the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Block on Tagore Marg.
Spanning 16 feet in length and 5 feet in height, the mural was painted using acrylic on canvas and symbolically captures Doshi’s most iconic works. However, instead of realistic depictions, the students chose an abstract style, highlighting elements such as forms, patterns, and structures inspired by Doshi’s celebrated designs. The use of earthy hues—brown, terracotta, geru (ochre), and grey—reflects Doshi’s affinity for natural materials and traditional Indian aesthetics, often visible in his architectural philosophy.
The mural offers a visual journey through Doshi’s life and his significant contributions to architecture. At the top of the mural, arches and staircases evoke the spirit of Sangath, his studio in Ahmedabad, symbolising harmony with the earth. In the centre, square shapes and clustered units represent the Aranya Low-Cost Housing Project, a pioneering effort in affordable housing. Undulating and circular forms allude to the Ahmedabad Ni Gufa, where art and architecture blend seamlessly. Elements resembling CEPT University—open spaces and slanting walls—highlight Doshi’s vision of spatial learning.
At the base of the mural sits a contemplative image of Doshi himself—calm, observant, and reflective—emphasising his identity not just as an architect but also as a philosopher, educator, and artist. The fluid lines and open spaces of the artwork echo Doshi’s belief that architecture must create serenity, light, and silence.
Born on August 26, 1927, in Pune, B.V. Doshi studied at the JJ School of Architecture in Mumbai and later worked in London and Paris, gaining invaluable experience under the legendary architect Le Corbusier from 1951 to 1954. These formative years deeply influenced Doshi’s design language rooted in modernist principles. Upon returning to India, he oversaw several of Corbusier’s projects in Ahmedabad before establishing his own practice, Vastushilpa (Environmental Design), in 1955. He later collaborated with Louis Kahn and Anant Raje on designing the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
Over his prolific career, Doshi received numerous accolades including the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize (2018), RIBA Royal Gold Medal (2021), and the Padma Shri (1976). He passed away on January 24, 2023.
This commemorative mural was completed under the guidance of faculty members Girish Pandey, Bhupendra Asthana, Ratnapriya, Shubha Tripathi, and Dheeraj Yadav. It stands not only as an artistic tribute but also as a reflection of the students’ deep admiration for a man who reshaped Indian architecture with a unique blend of modernism and tradition.
