A tribute to architect Kahn IIMA goes down the memory lane through monograph series

The collection of 60 images, prepared by Professor Vijaya Sherry Chand of Ravi J Matthai Centre for Educational Innovation and released by the IIMA Archives, is a combination of Kahn’s designs and Patel’s pictures of the campus taken during the nearly first 25 years of the institute between 1967 and 1985, and thus, justifies the title ‘Not Yet 25’.

The images, including those of the ‘demonstration’ arch that Kahn built, the grand central staircase of the Vikram Sarabhai Library, Harvard Steps and student dormitories, offer a glimpse of the thought that went into building the campus and the challenges that had to be overcome.

“These are the first 25 years of the institute,” said Prof Chand, who is also the chairperson of IIMA Archives. “The series’ mandate is of the first 30 years of the institute. The series is on many other subjects, too. The next one might be about the library, followed by one on PGP (Postgraduate Programme). The first part is a follow up of the exhibition of Patel’s photos held in November last year.”

The monograph is based primarily on the records maintained by IIMA Archives. These include the deliberations of the committee that was in charge of building the campus and the institute’s leadership, and other miscellaneous papers.

“Based on the material already collected by the Archives, there is no need to do special data collection. It is something that is owned by the Archives, including books on Louis Kahn, and that is internally available to us,” Prof Chand added.
IIMA Archives plan to bring out two or three parts of the Monograph series annually. The next one—most likely on Vikram Sarabhai Library—is expected to be released in July or August.

Prof Chand said the series did not have any connection to IIMA Board of Director’s recent decision to stop restoration work of the Louis Kahn’s buildings on the old campus and go ahead with the reconstruction by pulling down dormitories 1 to 14, among other parts.

Nearly two years after IIMA witnessed strong global resentment, including from Kahn’s children, for their decision to not restore but pull down dorms on its old campus and opposed floating an Expression of Interest for the demolition works of the historic dorm buildings, the institute, in November last year, announced that it will not continue with any further restoration but reconstruct dorms, faculty blocks and classroom complex to upkeep Kahn’s legacy.