srirangam

Srirangam, Tamil Nadu

In order to understand cities, their form, layout, history and culture must be understood.

“The modification of settlement is a human act, however complex, accomplished for human motives”

-Lynch (Good City Form)

This statement is accurate of the transformation of cities such as SRIRANGAM,

Founded on religious beliefs and transformed by historical events and population growth.

The small Indian city has over 2500 years of known historyWhere expansions and colonization have taken place. Whilst the city has grown to accommodate a changing population, the city

centre has remained true to the original design.Srirangam isn’t driven by economics, or development and power

but rather religion and culture an aspect of urban morphology not always prioritized.

Tamil Nadu region

Srirangam

The historic urban areas evolved through process of ancient Town planning and cultural exchanges, leading to a townscape, that is in many situationVisually attractive, ecologically sustainable and culturally, historically identifiable.

While these distinctive historic urban areas are important to the overall quality of our communities,The views and visual relationship between historic townscapes and people are often destroyed During rapid change, especially in developing urban setting.

HISTORY

Two temples form the nodes for the city to expand from

Settlement of the city by Islam and British culture

changed the morphology of city, thus

diversifying Srirangam

The city expands from two nuclei

The city of srirangam predates the 14th century;The earliest factual encounter being an invasion by muslim

emperor (1310-1311)After these invasions, importance was placed on the temple

setting and so plans for the growth of the city were developed. These plan “cosmic model” where the settlement is a model which in some way serves the universe or god. This theory is

pertinent to the the early formation of Srirangam, pre-planned, with a focus on the hindu gods and keeping cosmic balance,

even in its early expansion15th and 16th century

Srirangam began to develop into a city, which is evident today, still on the cosmic model.

1751-1752French forces fortified the temple and inhabitated the

Srirangam island Post independence

The religious legistation governs the city today were implemented.

Srirangam has a significant history of invasion by muslim and french groups, and there are indications within the city . The

muslim invasion had a profound influence on the formation of the city. Even though the grid structure was in adherence to the hindu plans , the complete ground cover and narrow streets as

well as the heights if most of the building within the original planned portion of the city show the interwining of two

cultures occuping the same space.English rule is however evident in southern expansion of the

city where tree shaded streets are broader, metaled or paved, and the building are well set back- a common indication of

english settlers.

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Present-day SrirangamLand use pattern

LAYOUT

Map of Srirangam(concentric rings around the temple core)

LAYOUTSrirangam is a temple city bounded by the Kaveri and Kollidam. Srirangam’s small population of approximately 1000 people live within 6km by 4km area centred around the temple. In addition to the two rivers , srirangam was also bound by 3 wall around the original temple precinct, yet as the city grew, an additional 4 surrounding walls were built.According to Lewis Mumford, polynucleated cities are more than just the result of a growing population but in addition, such plans must result in a fuller opportunity for the primary group.

Mumford’s theory is exemplified in srirangam as the

growing population most likely hindered daily ritual like worship, a main function of the city and thus an extension or

second centre had to be in order for the city to continue to function.

Both nucleus are structured in a traditional grid like pattern,

expanding from the central temple precinct. This relates to the cultural belief in

how a city should form “ at the heart of the village are the temple

consecrated by the brahmins”. temple

Brahmins’ agraharam

Vaishya community andMarket place

The place still sustains the meaning and memory of a religious religious precinct. Its position in hindu myth, urban configuration temple & tanks,Institutions, brahmin elite arts & crafts, all lead to the traditions of urban tamil culture.

Srirangam, as typical of many ancient towns in India, essentially a temple town.The temple remained the core of the town through centuries and it is so even today. These sacred monuments were constructed in such a position they would dominate the surrounding area, providing a focal point for the city.

This discipline of hierarchy can be still observed today in present day Srirangam, which is unlike most Historical centres in india .. Continues to grow around the central temple complex.

Intially there were only two temples, with individual settlements around them in a

paricular order the temple with the brahmin,

Vaishya & shudra community residences laid out in concentric pattern around

temple. The status &power was reflected in the height of the buildings,

And their proximity to the religious structure.

Generally, sloped roof was adopted in the agraharam,big house, which had flat roof & division of bays in the façade was

also different.The shaivite & the the vaishnavite

brahmin groups existed in close vicinty of the templeand control the activities of the temple, through the performance of

puja. The settlement patterns were community

or occupation based.

The pattern in which the ramparts are built with roads leading through the gopuram emphasize the centrality of the temple. the scale decreases gradually from being powerful to essentially human scale. This is contrary to the concept of urban form in a Medival indian town.

The street and open space as part of the street network change continuously in volume and character as one moves from periphery to the temple. The space volume Decreases gradually from vast emptiness to a regular confinement within the directional mains linking the processional routes and the streets around The buildings. In succession, those are all concerned to perform certain functions with various mantapas and pillared pavillions interrupting and defining spaces for religious

Congregations, festivals, etc. thus the streets and their layout reflects often the functions and the mood of an community at a particular period.

ROAD NETWORKS, HIERARCHY

The decreasing scale of gopurams

Processional path

CULTURAL AND SOCIO ECONOMIC ASPECTS

A temple, as an institution, influence all aspects of life of the people in ancient India and it was the major source of employment to manyThe religious and cultural profiles indicate that the occupation of the people who lived in Srirangam was determined by the caste they belonged to.

The temple at Srirangam became an important centre for religion and education.

A strict adherence to the classic pattern of the temple layout in accordance with the principles laid down in

shilpashastra andThe intention of each ruler to build gopurams and

walls higher than those built by the preceding ruler, determined in many ways, the urban form and

pattern of this ancient Indian town. The temple, besides a shrine for the

Worship, has generated many activities which in turn, acted as the dynamic

factor determining the physical, socio cultural and economic

Profile of the city.

ARCHITECTURAL TYPOLOGY

Architectural typologySrirangam’s design is at its core designed for

people and worship, this comes across through both the building typologies of

commercial and residential spaces as well as temple architecture. The cities highest

structures are temple and the gateways dedicated to worshipping hindu gods, this gives the sense of what is important in the

city..Despite the vast history of invasion, the hindu

temples still remain in the strict hindu style architecture outlined in vastu shashtra.

The residential and commercial architectural typology follows the traditional southern

indian style.Building are generally two stories , with either

a commercial space on the lower level. The second story is usually a living quarters.

A distinguishing feature of the architectural style being low set lintels, this ensures that anyone entering will have to bow- cultural

impact.The role these two distinct architectural

typologies play in forming the cityscape is vital. A relevant low set home with small

home with small doorway contrasting with monumental

gateways and temples give the city a sense of sacredness. The bustling streets with no

front setbacks allowing glimpses of the temple and the gateways also contribute to

the sense of the place.

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The settlement pattern of srirangamThe planning of the agraharams followed agrid iron pattern or concentric rings, with the temple forming the main focus.The row of house is either single or double storied, with the traditional pitched roofForm a striking a significant profile against the sky.The street were narrow and formed an integral extension of the living space. Water bodies were always seen in the vicinity of these settlements are the vedic Life recommended both spiritual and physical purity

The evolution of this particular architectural typology may also Speak about the social position of the brahmin community.

SETTLEMENT PATTERN OF SRIRANGAM

DESIGN OF DWELLINGS

Houses essentially reflected the liffestyle and the occupation of the user. The interface with the street wasessentially the verandah, as athreshold defined by High plinth.People have appropriated this house type with changing lifestyle of the Present day.The courtyard accomodated varios uses ranging from a ritualistic space to private realm.A large raised front verandah was the main activity area used mainly for sleeping and interactions.

Srirangam 14th century

Whilst the urban morphology of srirangam may not have the same kind of Economic and technological transformations as western city centers, the simple

evolution of small temple precinctInto a religious cultural centre serves the populations priorities. The layout of the

city has surprisingly held its original form after centuries of raids, takeovers And colonization and even now upholds the original hierarchy of living set out in

the 14th century. Whilst modernisms such as public transport have taken place The city still holds its architectural typology and sense of place.

Srirangam is still a city designed for its people and their motives and is “ A good City form” because of its careful consideration of people

CONCLUSION

Sources:Scribd, srirangaminfo.net, google books, wikipedia, vistara

Thank you Presented by Bhavana Vasista Shweta Gaadey

Krithika S Smruthi Mohan

Shikha Choudhary